Fourth Quarterly Winners of College Savings Drawing Announced
Parents Entered in Drawing After Receiving College and Career Planning Information for Their Students
April 19, 2022
Thirty-six Iowa parents and guardians each received $250 in college savings deposits after their entries were randomly selected in a quarterly drawing sponsored by Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation®. The winners were among 563 eligible participants who entered after receiving free college and career planning information for their middle and high school students.
The information service, SP3 or Student Planning Pointers for Parents, is provided by the nonprofit student loan provider to help parents and guardians guide their students through eighth through 12th grades with an eye to the future.
"Parents are often unsure of how to help their student think about and plan for the future. We want to help them understand the planning steps that apply to each student's grade level and what they as a family can do now to prepare for success in college and careers," said Steve McCullough, president and CEO of Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation.
The free service is provided via twice-monthly emails to parents and guardians who sign up at www.sp3.org. Registered recipients have the opportunity to enter the quarterly drawings for deposits into a college savings account.
"I have found the Student Planning Pointers for Parents [service] an extremely helpful resource as we prepare for our child to head to college soon," said 2021 third-quarter winner Zachary Sitzmann of LeMars, Iowa. "The tips and reminders they provide [give] me the confidence to know we're on track and not overlooking anything along the way."
Melissa Bernhardt, another 2021 third-quarter winner of Waukee, Iowa, has three children enrolled in SP3. She said, "I'm always impressed with how each article is targeted to the specific concerns and challenges parents face for each age group. There have been many times … that I have discussed certain topics in the articles with each of my kids and will continue to do so as the younger ones get older."
The SP3 service is provided in partnership with College Savings Iowa, ICAN, the Iowa School Counselor Association and Strada Education Network.
State Treasurer of Iowa Michael L. Fitzgerald remarked, "College Savings Iowa is always happy to partner with ISL Education Lending. Families can learn about financial planning while also having the opportunity to receive an extra contribution to their dedicated education savings. Any amount helps when it comes to saving for higher education!"
Articles are carefully researched and informed by 40 years of experience in the higher education industry. Additionally, parents and guardians are provided with multiple resources to further explore topics of particular interest.
The information is targeted to specific grade levels to correspond with students' current stages. The consistent format explains why the topic is important, what students can do now, additional steps they should take later and what parents can do. In addition, talking points are provided as a guideline for approaching the topic with students.
More information and simple signup is available at www.sp3.org.
2021 Fourth-Quarter Winners
Each winner below received a $250 deposit to an established 529 college savings plan account.
- Connie Adams, Denver
- Katie Birdwell, Urbandale
- Jean Birks, Adel
- Christy Bock, Cedar Rapids
- Katie Brooks, Ankeny
- Ann Campbell, Norwalk
- Spencer Dworzynski, Robins
- Vicki Engelmann, Central City
- John Ferris, Honey Creek
- Rhonda A. Finck, Cedar Falls
- Greg Goff, Ankeny
- Mandy Harder, Storm Lake
- Lisa Hawk, Marion
- Jon Heine, Cedar Falls
- Shari Higgins, Nevada
- Tyler Karrels, Cedar Rapids
- Angela Kelly, Algona
- Rebecca Kmett, West Des Moines
- Jason Knockel, Dubuque
- Rachel Lewis, Sioux City
- Brian Logan, Marion
- Jennifer Manternach, Dubuque
- Michael May, Dubuque
- Angie Miale, Ankeny
- Andrea Mitchell, Oto
- Depra Neppl, Ankeny
- Jennell Owens, Ankeny
- Jenifer Patten, Waukee
- Susan Pyle, Ames
- Megan Reiner, Ankeny
- Jay Ricke, Urbandale
- Dan Ryan, Ankeny
- Tracy Selof, Polk City
- Mark Shea, Galva
- Megan Volp, West Des Moines
- Tricia Webster, Norwalk
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Media Contact
Christopher Weishaar, Digital PR Specialist, (515) 273-7102, cweishaar@studentloan.org
