Give students a leg up for college with Be College Ready

August 06, 2017

The Oregon College Savings Plan’s school-based outreach program is now open for the 2017-18 school year. They're giving out free school supplies and holding a sweepstakes for college savings while sharing information about the benefits of saving for higher education early on.

The Be College Ready program aims to help young families learn the value of saving for higher education early in a child’s life using the Oregon College Savings Plan.

The earlier families are able to start saving for college, the harder their money can work for them. Not only does this give them more time to grow their money, but it also makes it more likely that a child will go to college. Children with as little as $500 saved for college are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate, research shows.

Be College Ready is open to all Oregon families with children between kindergarten and fifth grade, regardless of what type of school they attend.

How can you get involved?

Educators: Sign your elementary school or classroom up to receive free homework folders, bookmarks and pencils from the program by going to https://www.becollegeready.net/materials.shtml.

Parents of elementary school students: Enter to win $100 for your child’s new or existing Oregon College Savings Plan by going to www.BeCollegeReady.net/Cash by Feb. 28, 2018. Encourage your school leaders to sign up for free school supplies by sharing this flyer with them.

Community members: Request Oregon College Savings Plan staff give a presentation about saving for higher education in your area by contacting us at becollegeready@ost.state.or.us or calling 503-373-1903. Encourage your schools to participate by sharing this flyer with school leaders.

It takes a community to support and encourage our children. Please join the Oregon College Savings Plan in helping our students Be College Ready.