Testimonials
When Myah was three years old our family welcomed a baby boy. Unfortunately, he was born..."
When Myah was three years old our family welcomed a baby boy. Unfortunately, he was born a month early and struggled to fully breathe on his own. As a result, he was transferred to Children's Hospital in Fort Worth to the NICU unit. Thankfully, after 8 days he was able to come home. Myah was able to go into the NICU and see her baby bother. We have photos sharing those moments she was able to hold him. Now at 19 years old, she has completed the required two year core requirements and will be applying into nursing school in August 2021. Her goal is to be a NICU nurse, and be able to support and be present with families who are faced with similar challenges.
-Rebekah C.
I never thought, at least not in the previous 9 years – that she would ever be. But alas..."
I never thought, at least not in the previous 9 years – that she would ever be. But alas, in 2016, Mila was born. Not being able to conceive a child for years, and then loosing the first one I did – transformed how I viewed this baby. The joy was unexplainable. There was a future and a hope, and I started saving for her college the first months of her little life. The savings was more than just squirreling money away, it was an intentional, tangible, monthly sacrifice – even just that $25 I could afford at the time. It represented more than a savings program. It was a small thing, but an ode to the future hope and belief that this girl would grow, start kindergarten, and someday attend college. To see the transfer out of my checking account every month was a reminder, a reminder for gratitude and a reminder to hold on to that hope – even when it’s darkest.
Mila takes her first steps on her education adventure in 18 days.
2,340 school days from now, when she’s ready for college – mom will be too.
-Lisa Z.
To graduate from College is a Family’s dream… My family has always been hardworking..."
To graduate from College is a Family’s dream… My family has always been hardworking. We have worked in a career or a job for everything we have. That’s how we had food, a home and the basics in life.
However the one thing my family has never done was to attend college. I was a first generation high school graduate in 1997 and the first one to complete my high school diploma. After graduation I went onto college for three years while working two jobs. I took out student loans but I didn’t complete my bachelors degree because my job turned successful and I didn’t think I needed too. I was wrong because later in life I realized how important it is to graduate. It builds confidence, success and healthy relationships that will help guide you in life. This is important.
I want my daughter to graduate college without the fear of what tuition will cost and not having to work two jobs. Yes, a part time job is okay to have but not to work more than the time you put into studying. If I could help her not to worry about making her rent or buying books, I want to provide that. If I can help take these worries away then I will as a parent.
This is why I opened a college IDeal 529 savings account for my daughter, to graduate college, a Family’s dream. She talks openly about how exciting college will be and that she can’t wait to go. I am so enamored to hear her discuss college. This can be an option for her because of a savings account towards a dream.
In my day, it was not talked about as much. We spoke of working hard at a job and being loyal and then you will succeed. This is true as well but growing into an adult at a college to pursue your dreams is just as important. I am instilling these thoughts into her. So that she can go to college and become anything she puts her mind to. I want the college experience to be just a little bit better for her, even if it means to have a little more in a college fund to spend on books and tuition, so that she can stress less.
I want to build hope, resilience, strength and character. I believe we can gain these strengths through a college experience. This is my family’s dream.
-Cori C.
As a school counselor, I see daily how expensive college can be and the struggles and sacrifices families face..."
As a school counselor, I see daily how expensive college can be and the struggles and sacrifices families face to fund higher education. My husband is a police officer and I’m a social worker/counselor, neither of which are considered high paying jobs that would allow us to easily help with college expenses. After the birth of my son in 2007, I knew I needed to find a way to save for college right away. I have been very impressed with the interest and tax benefits of the IDeal 529 account, so much so that I promptly opened another account when my second son was born. In 2016, we decided to open our home to foster children until their home situation improved enough for them to return. We did not plan on adoption, but as life often does, plans changed when two of our previous foster children needed a permanent home. We now have four children to love and care for which includes doing our part to make sure their future educational needs are met. All four kids have an account and while I am not able to contribute as much to each account as I was with my first child, I am thankful that I am able to contribute what I can. This fund will certainly not fund my children’s full education and they will most definitely have to do their part. However, I hope it will take the edge off of expenses and most importantly help my children see that we, as a family, value education and we are there to help and support their dreams and goals.
-Suzi Q.
I am a mother of a soon-to-be 8 year old boy who is academically very bright. When I joined my new job..."
I am a mother of a soon-to-be 8 year old boy who is academically very bright. When I joined my new job in Idaho, the first thing on my mind was starting a college saving fund for my son. Being an immigrant, and working on a work visa, I was unsure what's the best plan for me. My office staff recommended Idaho's college savings account. I researched about IDeal and decided to start saving. I started with a small amount from my salary- unsure how things will turn out. I gradually increased my contribution. I kept tracking the performance of my son's account. Now, every spare penny goes into his College Fund. Only recently have I shared with my son that he has a college fund and his mom is saving so that he can go to a good college of his choice and get a good education. He is super excited. IDeal has motivated him in these young years. That's what I had hoped for!!! Thank you.
-Neelam S.
I had taken my granddaughter to Idaho Center for Kids Day and to see Paw Patrol. I saw your booth..."
I had taken my granddaughter to Idaho Center for Kids Day and to see Paw Patrol. I saw your booth, asked questions and got a brochure. She's my only grandchild and I had retired from teaching to take care of her. Her mom is a teacher and as a single parent it was a struggle to get her through College of Idaho. Programs like this didn't exist until it was too late. Thank goodness for some scholarships! I want to make it a little easier for Averi to go to school than it was for myself and her mom. It's a legacy I can leave her from myself and my mom in spirit. My mom always told me and my daughter "get your education, it's the one thing that can't be taken away from you".
-Vickie B.
Raising a family takes considerable effort. Money's tight and saving for your child's education is not a priority..."
Raising a family takes considerable effort. Money's tight and saving for your child's education is not a priority especially when you "think" you have 18 years to put a plan together. The next thing you know, the kids are all grown up and your bank account isn't as full as you would like it. You look at options to help pay for school but realize you also have to save for retirement. The options become less and out of desperation the children take out the dreaded student loan. Ten years later you're a Grandparent and your finances are in order. You wish you could go back in time to help pay for your child's education. But you can't. You see your kids struggle to put food on the table and realize that while you couldn't help them pay for college you could help the grandchildren. That's when you create a 529 and start contributing. Not a day goes by that I don't hear about my grandson's dreams. My hope is to leave him with enough funds so he can make those dreams a reality. What I couldn't do for my kids I will do for my grandchildren.
-Michael W.
In 2015 my niece became a mom to a beautiful little boy. She was raising my great-nephew on her own..."
In 2015 my niece became a mom to a beautiful little boy. She was raising my great-nephew on her own and about to start graduate school pursuing her dream of becoming a physical therapist. Graduate school is its own challenge, but she was doing it while raising a child on her own.
When my great nephew's first birthday arrived, I wanted to do something more than buy him another toy. The obvious answer was to include cash that could be put into a savings account for his future. Then I learned about IDeal. I don't have kids of my own, so I'd not paid it much attention before. I learned that with IDeal, family members could make contributions and those contributions would grow over time until he is ready to follow his own dreams.
I learned I could open an account with my nephew as the beneficiary. His Mom could have administrative access to the account and, when she was done with her own degree, I could pass it all over to her to manage until her son is ready to pursue his education. With regular, small contributions, I've been able to give both my nephew and his mom a little seed for growing his education.
Now, Mom just completed graduate school and can contribute to the account as she manages her student loan commitments. Just in time because her son starts Kindergarten this year. Thanks to IDeal, I can hand over the account to my niece so she can continue to prepare for her son's education. Plus, I can keep contributing to his future. His future is our future, and I am so grateful to IDeal for making it possible for families to support each other.
-Gina P.
Our now adopted daughter came into our home a foster child as a toddler (at 15 months). She was part of our hearts..."
Our now adopted daughter came into our home a foster child as a toddler (at 15 months). She was part of our hearts from the moment we met her. Her Tia (Aunt) gave her the nickname "Nugget," it stuck, and was eventually shortened to Nugg. We knew we would do everything in our power to give Nugg the world, to do our best to make up for past trauma, and help her achieve her dreams, whatever she decided she wanted to be in life. After a three year emotional roller coaster we were finally able to adopt Nugg from foster care and make her place in our family official. As an adoption gift one of our family friends gave her money to start her college fund. It reminded us that we were already behind in saving for college (she was already over 3 years old). We looked into IDeal 529 plan, it made sense to us. So immediately we began saving for her education.
Our Nugg turned out to be a natural born entrepreneur. At age four she planted "Nugg's Punkin Patch" and had a "punkin store" (pumpkin stand) selling her pumpkins to family, and friends-advertising with little videos on Facebook. She loved gardening and selling things in her "store". She explained to customers she was saving her money for a big girl horse and college. Customers chuckled but she was serious.
During spring and summer she potted and sold succulents (Hens 'n Chicks) from our flower beds in recycled containers from her "Hen Hut". Telling each customer she was saving up for a fast horse and college. Recently (at age 5) she started a dog treat business "Nuggs Treats." Weekly making dog treats, building up a loyal clientele of pups and using her earnings to help local dog shelters. She saved up for and purchased a new fast horse on her own, and has continued saving for college each month. We are so proud of our girl and her dreams of college.
She excitedly opens and reads her IDeal 529 statements when they come. We talk about how much she has contributed and how much the money has earned on its own. We compare month to month so she can see how it grows.
Her IDeal savings account has been an excellent vehicle to save for her future, allow her to see her money grow, and a way for us to help her go after her dreams.
-Becky T.
I am one of five kids. My parents could never help with college costs. I was a single mom waitressing my way through college..."
I am one of five kids. My parents could never help with college costs. I was a single mom waitressing my way through college when my son was just a baby. After every shift I would put a few dollars from my tips into a jar in the back of the closet labeled “Kyler’s college.” In my mind, every little bit helped. I didn’t want him to have to struggle or even think about how to pay for college. I want him to choose a college and career that he is passionate about and helps build his dreams. I want him to enjoy his college years! After I discovered I could put away as little as $25 per month into an IDeal 529 account, I didn’t need to worry about the jar of tip money in the back of the closet anymore. College for me was a means to an end that I hoped would help elevate myself and my son to a better life. Even after finding a good job, student loan debt was almost overwhelming. Today, after more than a decade of paying loan debt monthly, I still have the same amount of debt from the day I graduated. That is not what I want for my son. His IDeal 529 account lets me grow money for him over time and doesn’t stress our budget now that our family has grown to include Kyler’s adoptive dad and a little sister.
The soaring college costs are stressful and unknown but the IDeal 529 lets us have just a little piece of mind that our children have a bright future and will do great things.
-Tammy G.
After the tragic death of my husband in a car accident in 2013, I knew part of his life insurance policy..."
After the tragic death of my husband in a car accident in 2013, I knew part of his life insurance policy needed to go to our children’s education. They were 6 and 9 at the time, and through all the grief, very little positive things could be said about that moment in time, other than I was able to begin this for their future. They are now both in high school, well adjusted amazing kids, who will always miss their father. This is going to be his last gift to them. The money in their accounts is going to fund their future. Every moment in their life he is missing, birthdays, sports achievements, art awards, I know he would be so proud of the young adults they are becoming. With my oldest graduating in 2 years, it’s bittersweet that he will have this opportunity to have his school at least partially paid for, where he otherwise would have maybe not. I’m excited for their future and only wish he could be here to share the excitement with me.
-Jennifer M.
I came from a poor country Nepal with a dream of getting my Master's Degree in Civil Engineering. I did get my degree..."
I came from a poor country Nepal with a dream of getting my Master's Degree in Civil Engineering. I did get my degree and now I am a mother to my yr. old son and expecting a baby girl in December. Had I not gotten a Civil Engineering Degree in Nepal, I would have never dreamt of coming to US and getting a degree. I want my kids to know the power of education it has to transfer one's life and many other people's lives. Education is something no one can steal or take away from you. And I don't want my kids' dreams to be hindered because their parents didn't have the money. That is why I am saving for my kids' future.
-Sikha B.
Fiction:
You can only use a 529 plan to pay for tuition.
Fact:
You can use it for qualified higher education expenses, i.e.: including tuition, fees, certain room and board costs.
