(November 26, 2024) - Traditions are often sentimental, full of fun, and build lasting memories with family and friends. One of my favorite holiday traditions occurs on Thanksgiving Day. I ask my kids to sit down and create a holiday wish list - complete with colorful holiday art decorating the margins. It started when my kids were little and decorated their wish list for Santa with holiday-themed pictures. I loved it so much that I asked them to keep up with the tradition of hand-written wish lists with hand-drawn art as they got older.

(September 5, 2024) - To most families with school-aged children, the arrival of September means back-to-school and diving into school year routines. The first week of September is often a flurry of last-minute back-to-school shopping, signing students up for extra-curricular activities or after-school care, and coordinating schedules to prepare for the year ahead. However, September takes on a whole new meaning when you send your kids off to another city, state, or country to continue their education after high school. It is a surreal experience for sure! 

(Updated February 9, 2024) - Families often wonder how 529 plans affect financial aid and how the two work together. The answer depends on a couple of key questions: who owns the plan and when withdrawals are taken. In most cases, your 529 plan will have a minimal effect on the amount of aid you receive and will actually end up helping you more than hurting you.

(December 12, 2023) - As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even as a family friend, sometimes it is so hard to find a unique, meaningful gift for children in our lives. Toys, games, clothes, and candy make great traditional gift options, but giving the gift of higher education savings is also a meaningful gift option that many people don’t think about. Gift contributions to a 529 education savings account will have a positive impact on a child’s future that will last a lifetime.

(December 13, 2022) - Luke Minor discusses the economy, college tuition, and all things WA529 with "Conversations" host Gregr from Seattle's 107.7 FM "The End".

Hear the Interview

(November 28, 2022 - Showcase Magazine) - Post-high school education is one of the biggest expenses people face in their lifetime. 529 plans were created to help parents, future students, friends, and family save money tax-free for qualified higher education expenses.

Read more at Showcase Magazine

(April 15,2022) It is never too late or too early to engage kids in meaningful conversations about their futures. A lot of kids start talking about what they want to be when they grow up at an early age. Many change their minds a hundred times, while others are still unsure as they approach high school graduation. Encouraging kids to think about what they enjoy can help their dreams take shape. WA529 has something exciting this spring to get the conversation started! 

DreamAhead Earns Status as “Best in Class” by Morningstar, Inc.

(October 31, 2020) - DreamAhead, Washington state’s 529 college investment plan, has been recognized by Morningstar, Inc. as one of the top 529 savings plans in the nation, earning bronze medal status in its recent Morningstar Analyst Ratings.

DreamAhead is one of 35 best-in-class 529 plans, or “medalists”, identified by Morningstar. In their annual assessment, Morningstar measures four key pillars: Process, People, Parent, and Price.

(November 13, 2020) - WA529 Director Luke Minor chatted by phone with Star 101.5 radio personality Kent Phillips.

They talked about the new enrollment year for GET, key differences between GET and DreamAhead, and common misconceptions about 529s.

Listen to the interview

(September 1, 2020) - It’s September, and in a routine world, that means students are heading back to school. But as we’re all aware, in the age of COVID-19, this is no routine world.

Many school districts and college campuses have altered their plans for student attendance, going “virtual” because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Some are still standing by the traditional face-to-face classroom model.