Mark Huelsman: All Publications, Events and Press

Podcast: Mark Huelsman on Encouraging College Savings

Asset Building — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0500

In this version of New America's weekly podcast, Media Relations Manager Kate Brown sits down with Mark Huelsman, Program Associate with New America's College Savings Initiative to discuss the connection between savings and college completion, the advantages of 529 college savings plans, the ability of low-income families to save for college, and policy proposals to help them do just that.

Low-Cost State Policy Innovations to Help Families Save for College

Asset Building — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:56:00 -0500

At a time when low-income students are underrepresented in higher education and the cost of attendance is becoming increasingly unaffordable, 529 college savings plans have the potential to address issues of college readiness, access and completion. Savings can help reduce higher education debt, making college more affordable, and has the potential to change aspirations and behaviors of both students and their parents. Research from the asset building field shows that even a relatively small amount of savings may have positive impacts on behavior and educational achievement.

Increasing College Completion Among Low-Income Students through Savings

Asset Building — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:03:00 -0400

Earlier this year, the Obama Administration released a bold new plan for improving the state of higher education in the United States. Its fiscal year 2010 budget proposal included several items aimed at increasing postsecondary education enrollment and completion rates, and decreasing the financial burden that college represents to many lower and middle class families. [1] These proposals include reforming the federal student loan program, expanding Pell Grants for low-income students, and creating a new College Access and

Obama Tries to Coax the Middle Class into Saving for College | Los Angeles Times

Cecille Isidro — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:04:00 -0400

The New America Foundation, a public policy institute, said the task force should have gone further, recommending matching grants for families below certain ... and more »

New America Commends Obama Administration for Committing to Improve 529 Plans

Erin Drankoski — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:34:00 -0400

Washington, D.C. -- The importance of saving for college has increased dramatically in recent years. Tuition costs have vastly outpaced growth in both family income and federal student aid commitments over the past several decades. At the same time, the importance of receiving a postsecondary education has become paramount in getting ahead in today's global economy. The result has been unsustainable levels of debt for some students, while access and completion rates for low-income students have suffered. Research shows that even small amounts of targeted

New College Savings Initiative Aims to Advance College Success for All Families

Communications — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:51:00 -0400

Today, May 21st, the New America Foundation and Center for Social Development (CSD) at Washington University in St. Louis announced a new College Savings Initiative to examine and improve "529" college savings plans so more people have the opportunity to attend and complete college.

Toward Progressive 529 Plans

Asset Building — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:14:00 -0400

Key talking points on 529 plans, their current flaws, and how progressive features might remedy them.

New America Foundation commends Vice President Biden for Committing to Improve 529 College Savings Plans

Communications — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:05:00 -0400

Washington, DC -- The New America Foundation commends Vice President Biden and the Obama Administration's Middle Class Task Force for their announcement today to review 529 plans to make them more effective and reliable. The announcement came during a meeting in St. Louis, Missouri on College Affordability. "529s are a great vehicle for college savings for many better-off families, now the challenge is to make them a good deal for low- and middle-income families as well," said Ray Boshara, Vice President of Domestic Policy Programs at the New America

The Promise and Responsibility of Community Finance

Asset Building — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:00:00 -0400

We are in the midst of a period of intense and frustrating contradictions for our country in general and for community finance. Just take these examples:

Presidential Promises

Asset Building — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:17:00 -0400