College tuition and fees at Illinois public universities have more than doubled in the last decade. (WJBC File Photo)
By Andy Dahn
BLOOMINGTON – As the costs of college tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois public universities continue to rise, College Illinois wants to helps parents send their children to college without breaking the bank.
Lynne Baker with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission explained how the 529 Prepaid Tuition Program is helping families save money.
“College Illinois is a prepaid tuition plan,” Baker said. “It allows you to buy semesters of college now so that you’re really locking in the cost of college.”
No matter how high tuition rates climb by the time students attend college, tuition and fees are covered for students enrolled in the program. Those costs in Illinois have more than doubled in the last decade, which is why Baker said the program is a great investment.
“The nice thing about the plan is that it sort of reduces uncertainty for families,” said Baker. “You’ve already bought semesters of college when your child is 5, 6, 7 or 8.”
Over 10,000 students used College Illinois benefits last fall to attend schools of their choice. Baker said anyone can buy or contribute to a College Illinois plan, as long as the purchaser or the beneficiary is a resident of Illinois.
To learn more about the program’s benefits or to enroll your child, visit collegeillinois.org.
Andy Dahn can be reached at andy.dahn@cumulus.com.
