Lael Oldmixon, Executive Director, Alaska 529
As Alaskans, we know how quickly the calendar turns. Before we blink, 2025 will be in the rearview mirror. If you’ve been thinking about saving for your child’s future education, now is the time to act, and there’s a compelling reason to do it before December 31.
The Education Trust of Alaska recently commissioned a statewide survey, and the results were eye-opening. Fewer parents today feel confident that their children will pursue education and training after high school compared to just a few years ago. Rising costs and uncertainty are fueling hesitation, but planning ahead is still the smartest way to keep options open for your child’s future.
Alaska 529 remains one of the most flexible and trusted tools for education savings. Funds can be used to pay for education and training at nearly any college or university in the US and includes vocational and technical schools, and certain apprenticeship costs. Recent changes in federal law expanded uses to include professional credentialing programs and the ability to move excess funds into a Roth IRA. There are no sales charges, federal tax benefits apply, and you can start with as little as $25 or by simply saying “Yes” to the Alaska 529 question on the PFD application.
Satisfaction among current participants is high, and most say the ease of contributing and withdrawing makes the plan a practical choice. For families who want to make saving even easier, Alaska 529 offers Ugift®, a simple gifting portal that lets grandparents, relatives, and friends contribute directly to your child’s account.
So why act now? Because the $350 Dash to Save and Dash to Save More incentive eligibility window closes December 31. Families can earn a $250 bonus for opening an account, and an additional $100 if that contribution comes from a new recurring automatic investment before year end. It’s a win-win: you invest in their future and get rewarded for doing so.
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Small steps today can make a big difference tomorrow. Visit Alaska529.com and open your account before the deadline.