News Release

Willow Grove, PA - Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Rep. Nancy Guenst (D-152) and Rep. Melissa Cerrato (D-151) today visited Eastern Center for Arts & Technology (EASTERN), a career and technical education center for high school students, to celebrate this year’s 529 Day promotion and to encourage families to save for their child’s education with the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program.

EASTERN allows students to make career decisions, acquire competitive skills, and prepare for success in postsecondary education. Through their dual enrollment program, students may qualify for college credits, without cost, at schools such as Bucks County Community College, Delaware County Community College, Montgomery County Community College, Community College of Philadelphia, and Harcum College.

“I’m thrilled to be at EASTERN today, because it’s an incredible resource for Pennsylvania students.It can give them a huge head start on post-high school education – which is exactly what the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program is designed to do as well. PA 529 helps families save for future education no matter what career path their children may take.”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

"It is such an honor to have Treasurer Garrity tour our programs and meet our students. It is important to the EASTERN Administration, staff, and faculty that our student base is aware of all of the opportunities and resources available to them. Treasurer Garrity's visit not only highlights the significance of career and technical education but also provides a platform for our students to engage with a distinguished leader in our community.”

EASTERN's Executive Director Dr. Cathleen Plesnarski

The event included a tour of seven of EASTERN’s program areas: Business and Technology Professionals, Networking and Cybersecurity, Robotics and Automated Technology, Allied Health, Design, Photography and Illustration, Exercise Science and Rehabilitation and Veterinary Science.

"I am delighted to join today's event at EASTERN and support Pennsylvania families in securing their children's educational future. Participating in the 529 Day promotion is a fantastic opportunity to help families save money and ensure their children are well-prepared for their postsecondary education and careers."

Rep. Nancy Guenst (D-152)

“The tax-advantaged PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s needs, and that means a lot when inflation affects all of our lives. Your savings are flexible to use, too, as they will always be available for costs at a wide variety of technical schools, colleges and universities, or apprenticeship programs.”

Rep. Melissa Cerrato (D-151)

This year’s 529 Day promotion offers three top awards of $5,529, enough to cover a full year of tuition at a Pennsylvania community college. The promotion started May 1 and continues through the end of the month.

Families who open and contribute at least $10 to a new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) account between May 1 and May 31, 2024, will be eligible to win one of two statewide awards of $5,529, or one of six regional awards of $2,529. Last year, more than 1,000 families started saving during our 529 Day promotion.

New for this year, families who already have a PA 529 GSP account with a balance of $10 or more as of April 30, 2024, are eligible to win an award of $5,529 if they make an additional contribution of at least $10 to their child’s account during the promotional period. Full 529 Day promotion details and official rules are available at pa529.com/529day.

The PA 529 program has been helping families save and pay for education for more than 30 years. Saving with PA 529 accounts comes with significant state and federal tax advantages. PA 529 accounts can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, and apprenticeship expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board, and more. Saving with PA 529 does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid.

The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs – meaning saving enough to pay for a credit today will pay for that same credit years from now. Families can choose the tuition level they wish to save at – from community colleges up to Ivy League universities.

In March, the House unanimously approved House Bill 1745, sponsored by Rep. Paul Friel (D-26), which will provide a tax credit for employers who contribute to PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts owned by their employees. The bill would establish a 25 percent tax credit on employer contributions of up to $500 per participating employee per year. It would apply to contributions made to any 529 account owned by a Pennsylvania resident. House Bill 1745 is with the Senate for consideration.

Families with children born January 1, 2019, or later, already have a $100 Keystone Scholars account to jumpstart their education savings. This automatic deposit is available to every baby born in Pennsylvania, and those adopted by Pennsylvania families. The program uses no taxpayer dollars. Families are encouraged to register their Keystone Scholars accounts online at pa529.com/keystone and open their own companion PA 529 account to continue saving for their child’s future.

Visit pa529.com to learn more about saving with PA 529 and pa529.com/529day for official 529 Day promotion rules.