The Gift of Education: How to Convince Family to Gift Education

Your kids may want a mountain of presents to open this holiday season, but they will likely outgrow anything they want now. It’s helpful to include gifts they need, particularly if those gifts will help them for the rest of their lives.

When grandparents, family, friends, or relatives ask what they can give your kids for the holidays, give them a straight answer — the gift of education!

Anyone can contribute to your child’s NC 529 Account. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Funds from an NC 529 Account can be used for college expenses, K–12 tuition, textbooks, room and board, apprenticeships, and certain student loan payments. A contribution to your child’s NC 529 Account is a gift of education, and it can grow with your child.

The Gift of Education

It may not be easy to ask people to contribute money to your child’s NC 529 Account but consider this: It’s a gift that will help your child immensely. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when asking Grandma or Grandpa to make a contribution to your child’s NC 529 Account:

• Make it easy – Print off a Contribution Form from your NC 529 Account to share with family members so they can easily contribute. You can also show them where to they can send their contribution as a gift card so the student knows about the contribution.
• Spread the joy – If you have multiple friends and family members asking what to give your kids for the holidays, create a list of your own. You can tell some gift-givers to give specific items on the list, and you can encourage others to contribute to your child’s NC 529 Account.
• Suggest including an NC 529 contribution with other gifts – The minimum contribution to an NC 529 Account is $25. If it fits into a holiday gift budget, suggest relatives include a contribution with another gift.

Learn More About NC 529

The gift of education is a lifelong present that will help your child have freedom and be successful in the future. The plan grows with your child, so every little bit will add up in the long run. The NC 529 Plan offers age-based investment options for students of all ages, from young children to adults planning to go back to school.

NC 529 funds also grow free from federal and North Carolina taxes when used for qualified education expenses. Learn more about the NC 529 Plan on our website.