Third Quarterly Winners of College Savings Drawing Announced
Parents Entered in Drawing After Receiving College and Career Planning Information for Their Students
January 23, 2024
Thirty-nine 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 688 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 students 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.
Three-time winner Jill Duffield of Altoona, Iowa said she appreciates the program, both as a parent and a high school counselor. "I … advise this program routinely when working with my high school students and families as we plan for the future — the savings program, monthly newsletter, and resources are excellent examples of ways our Iowa students are supported regarding post-secondary planning." About her own high-school student, she added, "[The articles] keep us on track and give us things to talk about in regard to his post-secondary plans. I love that it really helps put him in the driver's seat with his future!"
Rachel Sandhorst, a 2022 third-quarter winner from Decorah, Iowa, said she finds the articles insightful and helpful. "The [articles] have taken the mystery out of post-secondary preparation and have helped me feel more comfortable with the cost of tuition for college. Thank you for the emails and all-around support!"
The SP3 service is provided in partnership with College Savings Iowa, ICAN, the Iowa School Counselor Association and Strada Education Network.
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.
2023 Third-Quarter Winners
Each winner below received a $250 deposit to an established 529 college savings plan account.
- Debra Belthius, Harcourt
- Nancy Berning, Shenandoah
- Boyd Borton, La Porte City
- Jennifer Chance, Ankeny
- Kimberly Cole, Cedar Rapids
- Angela Couchman, Corydon
- Angela Dooley, Shellsburg
- Jill Duffield, Altoona
- Adam Eyer, Fort Dodge
- Juliana Frank, Earlham
- Stephanie Gengler, Merrill
- Jennifer Hardman, Pella
- Dana Harmeyer, Des Moines
- Mirela Hasanovic, Clive
- Anjelica Hayworth, Moravia
- Leah Heidemann, Carlisle
- James Kelley, Tiffin
- Heather Kingsbury, Vinton
- Rebecca Kmett, West Des Moines
- Catherine Knepper, Des Moines
- Laurie Lake, Hinton
- Rachel Lewis, Sioux City
- Ben Lueken, Ely
- Andrew Munson, Carroll
- Leah Olson, Hiawatha
- Suzanne Owens, Huxley
- Kevin Petersen, Indianola
- Tracy Pfannebecker, Sigourney
- Cassy Rhinehart, Victor
- Dan Ryan, Ankeny
- Leslie Schechtman, Clive
- Amy Seitz, Holland
- Monica Smith, Clear Lake
- Daniel Walsh, Dubuque
- Tricia Webster, Norwalk
- Melissa White, Cedar Rapids
- Kari Wickman, Winterset
- Katy Wiley, Creston
- Sandy Williams, Cedar Rapids
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Media Contact
Christopher Weishaar, Digital PR Specialist, (515) 273-7102, cweishaar@studentloan.org
