Thank you for your interest in the Oregon 529 College Savings Network. As State Treasurer and administrator of the Network, I am proud to offer these powerful savings tools to help put a college education within reach of all families.

With the rising price of higher education, saving enough money for college can be one of the biggest financial hurdles most families will face. Families need a solid financial plan and the right kind of savings tools to achieve their goals.

With three plans now available through the Network, individuals and families have a choice when saving for future college expenses. Each plan has its own set of investment options, ranging from aggressive stock portfolios to ultra-conservative money market and bond funds.

Each plan also offers generous state and federal tax advantages. Oregon residents can receive a $2,000 state tax deduction on contributions each year, in addition to state and federal tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses. With a 529 plan, families will have more money to spend on college because their hard-earned savings will no longer be eaten up by taxes.

Your savings can be used to pay nearly all college expenses, including tuition, books and room and board at virtually any college or university in the United States.

My wife and I have three young children, so we know firsthand how difficult it can be to save for college. But we also know how important a college education will be to our children's future.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Oregon 529 College Savings Network.