American Council on Education’s Post

🚨 LAST CALL for K-8 Students! 🚨 Today is the FINAL day to apply for the Saving for Success Award! Don't let this opportunity pass you by — apply today for the chance to receive up to $1,000 for your child’s higher education! 💰 ➡️ SavingForSuccessNM.com #529plan #529savingsplan #theeducationplan #529account #savingforsuccess

A Childhood Dream of Securing 1st Rank 🎓 As a child, I always had a dream of securing 1st rank in my academics—something that seemed just out of reach. Throughout my school and junior college years, I was always a frontbencher, focused and dedicated, but crossing that final line to the top spot somehow always eluded me. It was more of a personal goal than a necessity, a checkbox on my “Life Goals” list that I wanted to tick off at least once. Fast forward to my 4th Semester exams of my Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance (BAF) at KC College, and we were sitting for the first physical exams after the pandemic. The previous three semesters had been conducted online, and it was a whole different experience being back in the exam hall. Months after the exams, one afternoon, I received an unexpected phone call from a landline number. The speaker asked me to visit the college office to collect my certificate of merit. Curious, I inquired, “What for?” The speaker casually mentioned that I had secured 1st rank in the recent 4th Semester exams. I was in disbelief—I honestly thought it was a prank! But when I visited the college office and held the certificate in my hands, it finally hit me. My childhood dream had come true and in the most unexpected way! Sharing the news with my parents, seeing their happiness and pride—that was the real prize. It felt like everything had fallen into place. The moral of this story? Good things happen unexpectedly. All we need to do is trust the process, stay patient, and keep giving our best. The outcomes will follow. #FirstRank #BAF #PostPandemicExams #ChildhoodDream #HardWorkPaysOff #AcademicJourney #LifeGoals #KCCCollege #TrustTheProcess #UnexpectedWins

Since my focus is on helping individuals save for college (or other forms of career training) -- and on educating them in the workplace about 529 college savings options, this article about Apple's Tim Cook's journey to save for college caught my eye. ➡️ Did you: 1. save toward your own educational goals; and/or 2. encourage the children in your life to save toward theirs? 🎓💰 ✅ It's a yes and yes for me. 1. I waitressed throughout junior/senior high school, held several part-time jobs during college, and held one full-time job during law school to help pay my way -- and 2. I encouraged my son to contribute toward his 529 account in age-appropriate ways (by cashing in piggy bank coins, contributing a portion of holiday/birthday money, and when older, a portion of earnings). My son, Ben, reflected on our family's college savings journey and what he gained from it in the foreword that he wrote to my book, Route 529: A Parent's Guide to Saving for College and Career Training with 529 Plans. #saveforcollege #529plans #timcook #employeebenefits #financialwellness #collegecosts #financialliteracy #kidsandmoney #familyfinance #parentshelpingparents https://lnkd.in/ewKRjNjB

Colleges are finding ways to give adults credit for work-based experiences. Imagine the hours saved, the learning that could take place, the impact on kids and adults lives if we could spread this practice throughout the K-12 and higher education sectors? Go deeper: https://lnkd.in/dX2uuWvp

Bottom line up front: start a 529 plan for each of your kids today so in 15 years it is eligible to convert to a ROTH IRA if they don’t use it for college($35k max transfer benefit). For this plan to work, the account must be a decade and a half old so start now and execute when the time approaches! https://lnkd.in/gmy9tX4P

Ever been curious about trade school, and if it is for you/your child? Check out this great article by WGNTV about why trade school could be the right fit!

I have a new blog post up at CollegeXpress! How to choose between pre-college credit options - Dual Enrollment vs. Advanced Placement. https://lnkd.in/gZ-zfmPx

Question for the audience about what to study in college. This is the situation: child/young adult has no idea what they want to be when they grow up. What are the jobs in the future - let's be really flexible and say if you are willing to pay (or help pay)- they are willing to follow your guidance. I heavily lean towards business degrees, and we have 3 college age kids (22, 20, 18) so we know what is out there. My reason is because almost all AP courses count towards business degrees. Our first child graduated in 3 yrs and went the business route. Most likely our 2nd and 3rd will graduate early as well, which saves a lot of money. I just want to hear your stories and start a conversation, and maybe some readers can better shape/guide/help our future work force. Go!

As a 6th-12th grade teacher for 4 years here are just a few real-world experiences I taught: 6th graders had to create their own business and decide how to market it, using the marketing mix 7th graders had to design a poster board explaining supply and demand with relevant-to-them products 8th graders had to learn how to calculate income statements, balance sheets, and explain why each one is used Freshman learned conversion rates and planned their dream vacation in whatever destination they desired, calculating how much it would cost in local money Sophomores analyzed global economic systems and how it impacts the US Juniors learned what questions could and couldn't be legally asked in an interview Seniors discovered how to fill out a W-4, budget for job deductions, and file taxes. I could write a book on all of the entrepreneurial, finance, marketing, and human resources concepts I taught in those 4 years. Sure, I wasn't in the corporate world performing these functions for a fortune 500. However, I was teaching these important concepts to students ages 12-18, making learning fun, and teaching myself how to reach 180 different individual learning styles everyday. An educators experience is so valuable in the work force. Don't discount us. #newrole #newcareer #financedegree #businessteacher

Whether you’re changing careers, returning to college as a working adult, transferring to a new school, or trying to get a jump on college in high school, credit by exam (CBE) can help you earn credit in college-level subjects. Find out how CBE works and how you can benefit. https://bit.ly/48a75FT