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Parent Resources

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Planning for a college education shouldn't be keeping you up at night. We've put together a collection of college planning resources to help you rest easier, including guidelines on when to save and how much, how to choose a savings plan that's right for you, plan ratings, and information on other programs and services such as applying for financial aid.

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SmartMoney


Tools and Calculators

  • Savings Calculator
    See how well your savings are keeping up and how your investment growth compares to a taxable account.
  • COOL College Opportunities Online Locator
    A direct link to nearly 7,000 colleges and universities in the United States that includes information on tuitions and eligible educational institutions.
  • Federal School Code Search
    Use Federal School Code Search to search for a school code (if you do not know the code for a school) or to verify that a school has a school code. A school with a Federal School Code is Title IV-eligible.
  • Counselor-O-Matic
    The Princeton Review's search engine combines academic and extracurricular history with preferences to help you find the college that's right for you.
  • Comparison Chart
    Review how MESP compares to other savings options.
  • Frequently Asked Questions



Educational Links

  • ACT
    America's most widely accepted college entrance exam, ACT's website provides educational and career planning for students and teachers
  • Saving for College
    Includes information about 529 plans and other ways to save and pay for college
  • College Board
    Delivers programs and services in college admissions (i.e. SAT), guidance, assessment, financial aid, and enrollment.
  • The Princeton Review
    Includes tools and information to help students find the right college or grad school
  • College Savings Plan Network
    An affiliate to the National Association of State Treasurers, which acts as a clearinghouse for information on existing college savings programs.
  • Financial Aid
    Includes guide to saving for college
  • Federal Student Aid
    Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, provides financial aid to millions of postsecondary students. Also develops, distributes and processes the FAFSA
  • http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
    Free Application for Federal Student Aid web site
  • Mapping Your Future
    Site for students and families with information on financial strategies, career options and college planning
  • TIAA-CREF
    Includes information on the range of college savings options available through TIAA-CREF. For all products offered by TIAA-CREF, visit our home page.
  • US Department of Education
    Includes information and planning resources for students, parents and educators



State of Michigan Resources
  A non-profit organization designed to help schools and communities work together to boost learning from birth through the transition to college.

See their publications:

 

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WE'RE HERE TO HELP

Check out our FAQ and the MESP Disclosure Booklet and Participation Agreements (PDF, 476KB), or call us toll-free at:

1-877-861-MESP
(1-877-861-6377)

We're available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Time.

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Michigan Education Trust

 

The tax information contained on the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) Web site is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. It was written to support the promotion of the products and services addressed in the Web site. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Michigan Education Savings Program. Please call toll-free 1(877) 861-6377 for a Disclosure Booklet containing this information. Read it carefully.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your designated beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state's 529 plan.

TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, distributes MESP. The State of Michigan, its agencies, TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America and its affiliates do not insure any account or guarantee its principal or investment return except for TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company's guarantee to MESP under the funding agreement for the Principal Plus Interest Option. Account value will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.

Investment management, program administration and distribution of The Michigan Education Trust (MET) program is provided solely by the Michigan Department of Treasury. MET is not managed by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. nor is it distributed by TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC.

The MESP Web site contains links to other Web sites. Neither MESP nor TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. and its affiliates are responsible for the content of those other Web sites. The accuracy of information on those sites cannot be confirmed.

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© 2010 TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc.