News & Press Releases
Savannah Child Wins Money for College
Michael Ferguson, a four-year-old from Savannah, was awarded $1,529 for his college savings as one of four statewide winners of the We Care Child Care Sweepstakes.
“College is so important in my son’s life. College is a major opportunity some kids don’t get. I never in a million years would’ve thought I would have won a sweepstake like this, but I’m happy because it gives me a head start with his college funds,” said Sirena Roberson, Ferguson’s mom who entered him in the sweepstakes. “Especially in the world these days with everything going up. At Least he can attend the college he wants to by the time he gets older.”
The sweepstakes is sponsored by Georgia’s official college savings plan, the Path2College 529 Plan, and the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). The goal is to reach families with childcare-aged children. This year more than 4,600 individuals entered, which according to Georgia Student Finance Commission President Lynne Riley, is a fantastic indicator of how many families with young children are thinking about and hopefully planning for their kids’ college-bound future. Over the past eight years, the sweepstakes has awarded more than $83,000 to children and childcare facilities and/or schools throughout the state.
“The sweepstakes encourages parents and grandparents to focus on saving for college. The winning contributions give a child a head start on their college savings, and also provides their childcare facility with resources to better serve children,” said Riley.
Ferguson attends A Step Ahead Learning Academy in Savannah, and the child care facility was also awarded $1,529 as part of the sweepstakes.
“Here at A Step Ahead Learning Academy we are incredibly proud of Aiden for winning the We Care Child Care sweepstakes. As an early childhood educator, we work to positively shape our children’s early learning, getting a step ahead and love to see opportunities available, like the Path2College 529 Plan, that help positively impact their future learning,” said Jobreia Hymon with of A Step Ahead Learning Academy. “I would like to give thanks to this program and Michael, we will be utilizing the funds given to us to enhance our preschool program.”
Winners were randomly selected from each of four regions in Georgia – Metro Atlanta, Southeast, North and South Georgia.
“On behalf of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, I congratulate the families and child care facilities that won this year’s We Care, Child Care sweepstakes,” said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. “DECAL’s goal is to lay a solid academic foundation on which a child’s education can be built. We Care, Child Care‘s goal is to lay a solid financial foundation that will allow Georgia’s children to pursue the postsecondary education of their dreams.”
For more information about the Path2College 529 Plan or to open a college savings account, please visit www.Path2College529.com or call (877) 424-4377.
To learn more about the Path2College 529 Plan, its investment objectives, tax benefits, risks, and costs please see the Plan Description at path2college529.com. Read it carefully. Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss. Consult your legal or tax professional for tax advice.
TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, distributor and underwriter for the Path2College 529 Plan.
