Bright Directions College Savings Program
This plan enables you to create a diversified investment portfolio for your future college costs in such a way that all of the growth will be exempt from both federal and Illinois state tax, provided the money is withdrawn for educational purposes only. In addition. Illinois will give you a deduction on your taxes for contributions made, up to $20,000 (if filing joint) in a tax year. You will have your choice of investments from several different fund families. Please contact us if you have any questions about this program or would like to determine how this can work for you and your family.

Bright Start College Savings Program
This program is essentially the same as Bright Directions except the investments are managed by a different group of managers. Please contact us if you have any questions about this program or would like to determine how this can work for you and your family.

College Board
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,200 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT©, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance for education beyond high school. In many cases, the financial aid available is not solely based on your family's income.

Saving For College
Saving for college education is one of the top priorities for most people. This site helps you to learn more about the available options.

Section 529 Plans - Financial Education Center
This is a website with all the plans listed by plan and by state and the ability to compare side by side and other in-depth information.

Section 529 College Savings Plan Comparison
This is a website with all the plans available for ANY state but on this site, you can compare the different state plans SIDE BY SIDE. When you click this link, we have set the page to compare the plans available in Illinois, but you can change the dropdown choices or state yourself.

Upromise
If you do NOTHING else to save for your child or grandchild's education, you've got to go to this website and enroll for FREE in this program that will have many vendors and services put money away for your child. Please, do this NOW!