CANCELED: MET Match on New Contracts March 19 in West Bloomfield

CANCELED: WEST BLOOMFIELD – Need an added incentive to open a college savings account? How about $100?

Michigan Education Trust (MET) is offering a $100 match and enrollment fee waiver for each new prepaid tuition contract purchased at four college savings information sessions, including 4:30-8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Road.

MET, the 529 prepaid college tuition plan administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, allows contract holders to lock in future college tuition costs at today’s prices.

“We’re always striving to make saving for college as easy as possible for Michigan families, and we’re hopeful that the $100 match and enrollment fee waiver will encourage those who haven’t started yet to begin setting at least some money aside,” said Robin Lott, MET executive director. “Every little bit helps, and every dollar a family saves is a dollar they or their future college student won’t have to borrow.”

Additional MET match events will be held:

• March 16 (5:30-8 p.m.) – Shelby Township Senior Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, Shelby Charter Township
• March 23 (3-8 p.m.) – Plymouth District Library, 223 S. Main St., Plymouth
• March 30 (3-8 p.m.) – Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy

A 2018 MET-commissioned survey found that although an overwhelming majority of Michigan parents view college as an investment in their children’s future, only about 60% of Oakland County families are saving for higher education expenses.

One of the best aspects of Michigan’s 529 plans, aside from their affordability and tax advantages, is the fact that anyone can contribute money to them – including other family members and friends, Lott said.

Only one account per beneficiary qualifies for the match and fee waiver at the March 19 information session, and MET will make the match after account holders complete their purchase of at least one credit hour of prepaid tuition.

More information about MET is available at SETwithMET.com or 800-MET-4-KID.

About MET: Administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, MET is Michigan’s Section 529 prepaid tuition program that locks future tuition at any of the state’s public universities and colleges at today’s rates. MET contracts are portable to out-of-state and Michigan private colleges and universities, may be transferred to other eligible family members and are refundable if the student does not attend college. More than 96% of high school graduates with MET contracts have attended a college or university.