Everyone Deserves a Chance at a Higher Education
ScholarShare 529 wants to make higher education accessible for all Californians. The deadline to participate in this year’s Matching Grant Program is quickly approaching! To qualify for a grant of up to $225, submit a completed application and open and contribute to a new ScholarShare 529 account by 11:59 p.m. PT on Monday, December 31, 2018.
Why Matching Grants?
Nothing has a bigger impact on the professional success and upward economic mobility of young people than a higher education. But, for many families, the dream of sending their children to a community college, trade school, or university has climbed beyond reach as costs and student loan debt skyrocket.
That’s why ScholarShare 529, California’s state-sponsored 529 College Savings Plan, is offering eligible families a matching grant to help kickstart the college planning process. Studies have shown that even children with college savings of less than $500 are three times more likely to enroll in higher education, and four times more likely to graduate, than those without a college savings account.*
Now is the best time to begin saving for your child’s future higher education costs. Let ScholarShare 529 help you get started with a matching grant of up to $225 when you open an account.
How It Works
- On or after January 1st, apply for a matching grant.
- Open and fund a new ScholarShare 529 account.
- Make contributions to your new account through December 31, 2018.
- At the end of the contribution year, receive dollar-for-dollar matching contributions up to $200 into your account from ScholarShare 529!
At the end of the promotion, continue to add to the account regularly, then use that money at any state or private college, technical school or community college that offers financial aid - even outside the U.S.
What You Get
A Matching Offer
A dollar-for-dollar match on contributions up to $200
Additional Dollars
Establish a monthly automatic contribution plan of $25 or more at the time the account is opened and receive another $25
Do You Qualify?
You must:
Be a resident of California
Open an account for a beneficiary who will be 14 years or younger on December 31, 2018. The beneficiary cannot have an existing ScholarShare account
Be the parent or legal guardian of the beneficiary
Have a household annual adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less
Have a Social Security number or a federal tax identification number. Your beneficiary must as well
For additional information about eligibility, please visit the Terms &
Conditions.
Community-Based Organizations
Organizations in your community are helping with our efforts - search or flip through the list below to find one near you. They’ll help you through the application and enrollment process.
Partners
Community-based or public agency?
If you work for a community-based organization or public agency in California and want to partner with us, click the button below for more details.
Already a partner?
Is your organization or agency already a ScholarShare 529 Matching Grant Program partner? Our marketing toolkit has everything you need to help raise awareness and make a difference in your community.