Celebrate Every Milestone with Achieve Montana

With graduation season just around the corner, we can’t help but reminisce on all the milestones. Their first and oh, so wobbly steps. Their first word. Their first bike ride around the block without training wheels. Their first sleepover without mom. When they’re little, every small step is a reason to cheer. And with Achieve Montana, we’re proud to be right there with you – from the first day of school until the last.

If you’ve been around here for a while, you may know that May is a big deal for us at Achieve Montana. Not only does it mark the upcoming graduation season, but it also encompasses our favorite day of the year – 529 Day! Held on May 29th, 529 Day is a day we take to celebrate all the opportunities that 529 plans offer future graduates and honor the milestones along the way. And while we, admittedly, can’t keep them from growing up, Achieve Montana can help you plan for what’s ahead! Whether they’re just learning to crawl or on their way to high school, you can celebrate the milestones and invest in their future by opening an Achieve Montana 529 savings plan account – where today’s savings can become tomorrow’s college celebration.

5 Reasons to Start Saving for Their College Education

1. It’s (actually) Affordable

We know, even a little can seem like a lot. But, with Achieve Montana, you can open an account for just $25 and start making additional contributions for as little as $15 with payroll deduction. And with Ugift®, your friends and family can contribute, too!

2. Two Words: Tax Benefits

When you save for their tomorrow, you’re also saving for your today! With Achieve Montana, not only do your earnings grow tax-deferred from both federal and state taxes, but many contributors (especially Montanans) also qualify for additional savings.

3. You Can Always Make Changes

When it comes to college savings, there is no one size fits all. That's why Achieve Montana offers both flexible investment options and the ability to change the beneficiary on your account, at any time. Did we mention that there’s also no age restriction?

4. Savings Extend Beyond College

Hear us out – 529 savings accounts aren’t just for college anymore. In addition to two and four-year colleges, funds in an Achieve Montana account can be used for K-12 education, trade schools, apprenticeships, technical training, and even other qualified education expenses like textbooks, room & board, supplies, and other additional fees.

5. They Grow Up Fast

Today, they’re learning to crawl. But, tomorrow, they’ll be driving off toward new beginnings! As parents, we spend hours dreaming about who our kids will grow up to be, but what plans do we have in place for once they get there? Saving early is a key part to helping them succeed, and we can help!

Let’s Get Started

Built for tax benefits now and college savings for the future, Achieve Montana helps you celebrate every small step in a big way. Learn more and open an account today at achievemontana.com.

Disclamer

For more information about Achieve Montana, call 877.486.9271 or download an Enrollment Kit. The Enrollment Kit includes a Program Description that discusses investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing.

If you are not a Montana taxpayer, before investing in Achieve Montana, you should consider the benefits of your home state’s qualified tuition program. It may provide taxpayers with state tax and other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, that are only available through your home state’s qualified tuition program. You should also consult your financial, tax, or other advisor to learn how state-based benefits (or limitations) would apply to your specific circumstances. Tax and other penalties may apply to non-qualified withdrawals.

Achieve Montana is sponsored by the State of Montana and administered by the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education, as sole trustee of the Montana Family Education Savings Trust (Trust). Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC serves as program manager and provides recordkeeping and administrative support services for Achieve Montana. Blackrock Fund Advisors, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., New York Life Insurance Company and the Vanguard Group, Inc. each provide investment management services for the underlying investments comprising Achieve Montana’s portfolios. To the extent of the New York Life Insurance Company guarantee that is available for the Capital Preservation Portfolio and certain Year of Enrollment Portfolios, investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in Achieve Montana.

Account owners assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences.

Ugift® is a registered service mark.

Photo of student reading a piggy bank is near to remind us to save for education.

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When it comes to graduating or pursuing higher education opportunities outside of high school, many students are faced with one overwhelming question: What do I want to do next? A question that even many adults continue to struggle with throughout their life. And yet, the “societal norm” is for 18-year-olds to have it all mapped out prior to moving their tassel over on graduation day. But what if you don’t? Or even more, what if you do and your dream career or next step doesn’t include the typical college pathway?

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A picture of a diploma and mortarboard next to stacked coins.

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At the end of last year, student loan debt in the U.S. totaled $1.74 trillion. That makes for an average student loan payment of more than $393 per month. And while loan forgiveness initiatives are up in the air every few months, here’s one thing that’s for sure – saving early can outweigh both the costs and stress of paying for college and higher education.

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