FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2016

Media Contact: Shelli King
615-532-8025
Shelli.King@tn.gov

State Treasurer Lillard to Address College Savings in Memphis
Give Away a $250 TNStars Scholarship

MEMPHIS: State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. and the TNStars® College Savings 529 Program team will host a Town Hall Meeting in Memphis the evening of October 17, 2016, with State Representatives Raumesh Akbari and Karen Camper. Treasurer Lillard will discuss the importance of saving early for college and will share information on Tennessee Investments Preparing Scholars (TIPS), a 4-to-1 matching grant program for qualifying lower to moderate incomes families. Treasurer Lillard will also be giving away a $250 college scholarship to someone in attendance that evening.

“Post-secondary education is now necessary to acquire the skill set young adults need to enter this 21st-century workforce,” said Treasurer Lillard. “We appreciate every opportunity to help Tennessee families plan for their children’s future.”

Representative Karen Camper is excited to host this Town Hall Meeting in her district. “One of the biggest challenges for families is making sure they have enough money put away to send their children to college. The need here in Whitehaven is great and I’m glad to be a part of this program.”

“Having a college education is critical to help escape the generational poverty that many families in Memphis face” said Representative Akbari. “Programs like this and others help point the way for many people who may believe they have no hope of attending college.”

TNStars Memphis Town Hall Meeting
When: October 17, 2016 at 5 p.m.
Where: Whitehaven Public Library, 4120 Millbranch Road, Memphis, TN

$250 Scholarship Giveaway
One lucky attendee at the Town Hall Meeting will win a college savings scholarship! Entry forms for the drawing will be provided at the TNStars booth. Tennessee residents over the age of 21 are eligible to enter the contest, and must be present at the time of the giveaway to accept the prize. The winner will receive a $250 scholarship in a TNStars account on behalf of a beneficiary of their choosing who is age 18 years or younger.

TNStars College Savings 529 Program
Nationally ranked in the Top 3 for investment performance, TNStars is designed to give Tennessee families high quality investment options at a low cost to help them put aside money for higher education expenses. Money saved in a TNStars account may be withdrawn tax-free to cover tuition and fees, room and board, and additional qualified expenses at any qualified institution of higher education that accepts federal financial aid.

TIPS Matching Grant Program
The Tennessee Investments Preparing Scholars (TIPS) program was created to encourage families of all income levels to save for the growing costs associated with post-secondary education. TIPS is a matching grant program offering incentives to Tennessee residents meeting certain household income requirements to participate in the TNStars® College Savings 529 Program. When a qualifying family establishes a TNStars® account and enrolls a beneficiary in the TIPS program, the state will provide a 4-to-1 matching contribution. Beneficiaries may receive a maximum match of $500 per year for up to three years.