After co-sponsoring last spring's televised state championship basketball tournament, the Virginia College Savings Plan has joined forces year-round with the Virginia High School League (VHSL) to support academic and sports activities from forensics to field hockey, theater to baseball for 2008-2009.

The statewide partnership got underway this fall, with golf and journalism competitions held in October and cross country, field hockey, volleyball, football and theater events slated for November and December. Virginia 529 representatives are attending many of these events and will have information on the state's four tax-advantaged college savings programs available at all championship competitions. The VHSL annually serves more than 300 Virginia public high schools and conducts state championships in 27 different activities involving 165,000 student participants.

"The Virginia High School League is a great organization and we are proud to join it in making a positive difference in students' lives," said Mary G. Morris, Executive Director of the Virginia College Savings Plan. "We hope our presence and information displays at VHSL events will extend the reach of our message that it's never too early – or too late – to save for higher education."

The VHSL, which has spearheaded student events since 1913, was created to enhance the educational experiences of participating students and to promote the positive real life teachings that athletics and extracurricular activities provide for youth, said Ken Tilley, the VHSL's Executive Director.

Virginia's 529 plan offers four 529 college savings programs designed to suit peoples' budgets, savings style, risk tolerance and college planning time horizon. Virginia 529 account funds may be used for undergraduate and graduate studies at public and private technical schools, community colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world.

Among this year's VHSL events and competitions are:

• Cheerleading at the Siegel Center in Richmond Nov. 8;
• Field hockey at the USA Olympic Training Center in Virginia Beach Nov. 15;
• Theater at the Martin Luther King Performing Arts Center in Charlottesville Dec. 1-2;
• Divisions A, AA and AAA football at Salem City Center, Liberty University and Virginia Tech Dec. 6;
• Division AAA swimming and diving at the Freedom Center in Manassas Feb. 20-21, 2009.

The Virginia College Savings Plan, the largest 529 plan in the country, was recognized in spring 2008 by the investment analysis firm Morningstar Inc., which ranked two of Virginia's 529 programs – CollegeAmerica® and VESTSM – among the Best Five 529 programs in the country.

For more information, go to www.Virginia529.com. For the VHSL, see www.vhsl.org.