Autumn is here and with the season change comes the opportunity to consider your finances and family’s future higher education needs.

While you may not yet be emotionally prepared for the day you send your child off to college, an Invest529 account can help make sure at least your finances ARE ready.

It’s never too late --- or too early!

Whether your child was just born, or has just started high school, there’s no time like the present to put away money for their higher education. The sooner you start, the more time your investment will have to grow.

It fits your budget.

You can start small, and still save big with an Invest529 account. That’s because you can open an account with as little as $10 and save at your own pace. Managing your account is easy, too!  Small, regular contributions really add up, so set up automatic monthly contributions through your bank.

Your family can help, too.

Ask family and friends to contribute to your child’s Invest529 account as an alternative to toys and other gifts for holidays or birthdays. Virginia529 offers gifting flexibility with gift cards, certificates and an online gifting center all available.

Flexible enough to let them achieve their dream!

Money saved in an Invest529 plan can be used for qualified higher education expenses at two- or four-year public or private colleges, universities and community colleges, as well as graduate and vocational/technical schools. And now, Invest529 funds can be also be used to pay for some K-12 tuition expenses.

You don’t have to tackle saving for higher education alone. This fall, let Virginia529 help you figure out how much to save, and use that knowledge to inform your budget. Follow Virginia529 on Facebook to join the higher education savings conversation, and sign up for our newsletter for regular tips and offers sent straight to your inbox.