CHET Celebrates College Savings Month at the Connecticut State Library

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Office of the State Treasurer and the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), Connecticut's direct-sold 529 College Savings Plan, celebrated College Savings Month on Saturday, Sept. 22, with an action-packed event at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford.

The event not only celebrated September as College Savings Month, but also the success of CHET's School Supply Program and the winners of the fourth annual Summer Reading Promotion.

In addition to recognizing the 12 winners of the CHET "Think Big! Save for College!" Summer Reading Promotion, Deputy Treasurer, Christine Shaw and CHET also sponsored a Q&A, book giveaway and book signing with P.W. Catanese, local children's author of the popular children's book series, The Books of Umber.

Every year, the Connecticut State Treasurer's Office, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) and the Connecticut State Library team up to sponsor the Summer Library Promotion in libraries across the state.

"We know reading helps to create a solid foundation for students and better prepares them for educational challenges ahead," said Elizabeth McLaughlin, Program Manager for CHET. "This program encourages young students to make reading a part of their regular summer activities, and gets information about CHET and saving for college to parents."

More than 7,000 students have participated in the annual Summer Reading Promotion over the past four years and CHET has awarded more than $25,000 to help families prepare for future college costs and to fund children's community programs at various libraries. This year, more than 750 entries were received from throughout the state, helping spread awareness of the importance of saving early for college.

This year's Promotion, which ran from June 1 to Aug. 17, encouraged children grades K-8 to visit their local library during the summer and participate in their library's summer reading program. Participants entered for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of a $1,000 contribution into a CHET account and one of eight $50 Barnes & Noble^® gift cards.

Parents or legal guardians of each grand prize winner received a $1,000 contribution to a CHET account to help them save for college. The libraries of the winners received a check for $500 to support children's programs and initiatives. The grand prize winners included: Michael Craft (grade 5), Plumb Memorial Library, Shelton; Tyler Kelly (grade K) Hagaman Library, East Haven; Ella Colasanto (grade K), Burlington Public Library, Burlington; and Samantha A. Salas (grade 4), New London Public Library, New London.

About CHET
The CHET 529 direct-sold College Savings Plan was established in 1997 and as of August 2012 has grown to more than $1.7 billion in assets and more than 81,900 individual accounts. Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier serves as Trustee of CHET. The plan manager is TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc. For more information about CHET, visit www.aboutchet.com or call the customer service center at (866) 314- 3939.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing in the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) 529 College Savings Plan. Please visit www.aboutchet.com for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully.

Account value in the Investment Options is not guaranteed and will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.

SOURCE Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET)