Treasurer Steelman Declares 5/29 ''College Savings Day''; Introduces Families to a New Tool to Help Save for College

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--State Treasurer Sarah Steelman is declaring May 29^th “529 College Savings Day” -- a day that signifies the importance of higher education to our families and our future. The date (5/29) corresponds to the tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans, with Missouri residents benefiting from the state-sponsored MOST (Missouri Saving for Tuition) Program. It’s one of the most popular ways for parents, grandparents, and other family and friends to save for children’s college educations.

“A college savings account is one of the most meaningful gifts anyone can give, and now we've made it easier for Missourians to do that through MOST529 and Upromise Investments.”

To help celebrate “529 College Savings Day,” Steelman is also announcing a new resource that makes it easier for friends and family members to contribute to a child’s MOST529 account. Steelman and Upromise Investments, Inc. , the Program Manager for MOST529, are announcing the rollout of Ugift for MOST – Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan. Ugift is a new online resource that makes it easy for MOST529 account owners to invite family and friends to make gift contributions to a child’s 529 college savings plan account in lieu of traditional gifts.

On May 29, Ugift becomes available for MOST529 account owners. Using the Plan website, account owners can send invitations via email or print gift coupons to give to family and friends for a birthday, holiday, graduation, or other celebration. Gift contributions are tied to the celebration and the specific MOST529 account and can be monitored online by the account owner. The minimum gift amount is $25, about the average cost of a child’s birthday gift.

“It is my goal to help every Missouri family be able to afford college or trade school, so that every child has the best opportunities for success we can give them," said Steelman. "A college savings account is one of the most meaningful gifts anyone can give, and now we've made it easier for Missourians to do that through MOST529 and Upromise Investments."

“Many Missourians are very concerned about saving for college for their loved ones. Ugift is an exciting and simple way for families and friends to help ease that burden,” explained Mark Chapleau, President of Upromise Investments. “Easily accessed, technology-friendly tools give account owners more opportunity to rise to the challenge of investing for college. Through innovations like Ugift, we are continually working on ways to make college investing easier for account owners.”

For more information about MOST—Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan, call 1-888-414-MOST or visit www.missourimost.org to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor and Underwriter.

If you are not a Missouri taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program.

The Missouri Higher Education Savings Program (the “Program Trust”) is a trust created by the State of Missouri. When you invest in MOST—Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan (the “Plan”), you are purchasing portfolio units issued by the Program Trust. Portfolio units are municipal securities. The Plan has been implemented and is administered by the Missouri Higher Education Savings Program Board (the “Board”). Upromise Investments, Inc., and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, serve as the Program Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, with overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations, including effecting transactions. The Vanguard Group, Inc., and American Century Investments serve as Investment Managers for the Plan. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., markets and distributes the Plan. The Plan’s portfolios, although they invest in mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

Upromise rewards is an optional online service offered by Upromise, Inc. and is separate from the MOST program. Specific terms and conditions apply. Participating companies, contribution levels, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. Transfers subject to $25 minimum.

Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in the Plan.

Upromise is a registered service mark of Upromise, Inc. Vanguard is a trademark of The Vanguard Group, Inc. Used with permission.