Nevada prepaid tuition program enrollment starts Tuesday

Open enrollment period for the Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program on 2010 begins Tuesday and will continue through Feb. 28.

The program enables Nevada parents, grandparents, and family friends to lock in future college tuition rates at today's prices In the past 11 years, more than 13,000 Nevada children have been enrolled in the Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program.

"The State Treasurer's Office is continuing its outreach to communities all across Nevada to ensure Nevada families are aware of the tremendous benefits of the Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program for their children and grandchildren," Treasurer Kate Marshall said. "A college education is a gift that will last a lifetime, and will most certainly pave the way to a more successful future. With the cost of attending college continuing to go up, the Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program provides families with the opportunity to meet tuition costs for their child's higher education needs at reduced rates."

From newborns to ninth graders, parents have a variety of options to participate in this program. Parents can pay a lump sum, spread the payment out over five years with 60 equal payments, or pay each month from the time of enrollment until the child is ready to start college. The program is fully transferable to private or public out-of-state colleges and universities, and can be transferred to another family member, including a first cousin. New components of the Program added this year include a one-year university plan and a gift program that can be used by other family members and friends to give the gift of a college education.

"The program is especially affordable if parents begin an account for newborn children, with plans starting as low as $35 a month," Marshall added. "The earlier you open an account, the lower the cost."

Following a very successful marketing campaign in the spring of 2009, the number of Nevada Prepaid Tuition accounts rose by 75 percent. "We would like all Nevada families to be aware of this wonderful program. To that end, we are sending Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program trifold brochures to all elementary school children throughout the state, with the assistance of the Nevada Department of Education and the individual school districts and schools," Marshall said. "We are partnering with the Nevada Association of Counties, the Nevada League of Cities, and other organizations to get the word out about the advantages of opening a Nevada Prepaid Tuition and/or a Nevada 529 College Savings Plan account through our Save for College, One Step at a Time marketing campaign."

For more information on the Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program, go to https://nevadatreasurer.gov/cshome.htm, or call (702) 486-2025 or toll free, 1-888-477-2667.