Why Independent 529 Plan Works

Perspectives from Parents and Member Colleges

Susan Duffy, Parent and Class of '79
University of Notre Dame
“We highly recommend Independent 529 Plan to families that value education and want to give their children the opportunity to attend private universities like the University of Notre Dame.”


Chris Millet, Parent
Central College
“Once Jeffrey had decided on Central, I did my homework and found out about the Independent 529 Plan. From there, it was relatively easy to decide. I could invest tuition dollars when he was a freshman to pay for his senior year. It’s a no-risk investment and a smart one to make.”


Michael McNamara, Parent
Ithaca College
“I saw that Ithaca was on the list of Independent 529 Plan participating universities. When we realized we could take advantage of a tax-free tuition freeze, we just had to act. The decision was simple for us.”


Yvonne Tocquigny, Parent
University of Chicago
“I realized that tuition could increase from his freshman to his senior year at a higher rate than I could earn from a mutual fund. With Independent 529 Plan, I knew I would pay the same tuition for his senior year that I was paying for his first year.


Dana Klimp, Parent
St. Olaf College
”If you are predisposed to send your child to an Independent 529 Plan member school -- possibly because it’s your alma mater -- it makes sense to save via Independent 529 Plan from your child’s early years.”


Tim Collins, Parent
University of Dayton
“The benefits of Independent 529 Plan are tremendous. When you have the resources to plan and save for your child’s college education, to get that type of return and those tax benefits, it’s the way to go. It’s been painless to make our monthly payments, especially as we watched an average 9 percent tuition increases per year at Dayton.”


John Connell, Parent and Class of ‘75
University of Notre Dame
“Going to Notre Dame is like a dream come true for my daughters...Independent 529 Plan has helped us manage the cost.”


Gregory Steeber, Parent and Class of '70
St. Olaf College
”Taking advantage of Independent 529 Plan was an easy decision. It locks in the cost of future tuition at the rates in effect when you purchase the certificates. With the tax advantages, it offered us a six to nine percent annual appreciation, adjusted for taxes. No other savings and investment option could easily match that return.”


Michael Graham, S.J., President
Xavier University
“Making a Xavier education affordable and available to a diverse group of students is very important to our mission of educating students intellectually, morally and spiritually toward lives of solidarity, service and success. Independent 529 is another tool we can use to insure that Xavier is accessible.”

Richard Durst, President
Baldwin-Wallace College
“It is important for us to continue to find creative ways to keep a college education within the financial reach of our students and their families...Independent 529 Plan will help families to prepare for their futures and ensure that today’s tuition rates are available when their children are ready for college. Baldwin-Wallace College is pleased to be joining this fine program.”


Richard Guarasci, President
Wagner College
“We are pleased to be among the schools participating in the Independent 529 Plan. I believe that it will provide another tool for parents who want to ensure that they can pay for a Wagner College education in a way that is manageable.”


Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, President
Concordia University Wisconsin
“We are pleased to participate in this innovative program. Parents who are eager to provide a quality Concordia education for their children will enjoy the remarkable advantages of this plan. This moves them much closer toward making their dreams and goals for their children a reality."


L. Jay Lemons, President
Susquehanna University
“We are a community that values open exploration of ideas, commitment to service, development of individual talents and the welcoming of individuals from all backgrounds and beliefs. Susquehanna University has engaged in strong efforts to broaden the student body and make our extraordinary education available to as many students as possible. That effort includes becoming a member of the Independent 529 Plan.”

Charles Schlimpert, President
Concordia University
“We strive to make a private university education as accessible as possible and partnering with the Independent 529 Plan will help us do just that.”