FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 18, 2009

Contact:
Jon Galloway
(573) 751-7595 - Office
(573) 418-2923 - Cell
jon.galloway@treasurer.mo.gov

$529 in College Savings Will Go To Lucky Winner at Cider Days Festival in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - State Treasurer Clint Zweifel announced Cider Days Festival attendees will be able to register to win a $529 contribution to a MOST 529 account for college savings.  The giveaway continues Treasurer Zweifel's efforts to promote college affordability and savings throughout Missouri.

"Over time, this $529 giveaway will provide valuable aid that could grow to help pay for a child's college education," said Treasurer Zweifel, who administers MOST 529: Missouri's College Savings Plan.  "This contribution and the investments MOST 529 account owners make in children throughout Missouri have a real impact on college savings and college affordability."

To enter the drawing, attendees may visit the MOST 529 booth at the Cider Days Festival in downtown Springfield on September 19 and 20.  Representatives of MOST 529 will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Entrants must be 18 or older and Missouri taxpayers*.  The prize money must be invested in an existing MOST 529 account or in a newly opened account in the plan. 

In August attendees of the Missouri State Fair were able to register to win a $529 contribution as well.  Treasurer Zweifel said it was integral that awareness of MOST 529 continue to increase throughout Missouri. 

"MOST 529 is easy to use, low cost and tax free," Treasurer Zweifel said.  "You can sign up for just $25, and that sort of consistent investment can have big returns in the future."

MOST 529 ranked in the top 10 of Savingforcollege.com's best-performing 529 plans in the first quarter of 2009, and for more information about MOST 529, visit www.most529savings.com or www.treasurer.mo.gov.

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*Except employees and their immediate families and members of the same household of Sponsor (MOST - Missouri's 529 College Savings Plan), The Vanguard Group, Inc., Upromise Investments, Inc., the Missouri's Treasurer's Office and their respective agents or affiliates.

**A plan of regular investment cannot assure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market.  Monthly investments of $50 for a period of 18 years; annual rate of return on investment of 5% and no funds withdrawn during the time period specified.  This hypothetical is for illustrative purposes only.  It does not reflect an actual investment in any particular 529 plan or any taxes or penalties payable/due upon distribution.

***Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

****Contributions to the plan in a tax year are deductible from Missouri state income tax, but may be subject to recapture in subsequent years if you make a nonqualified withdrawal.

Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in the Plan. Participants assume all investment risks, including the potential for loss of principal, as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences.

For more information about MOST-Missouri's 529 College Savings Plan, call 1-800-962-5168 or visit www.most529savings.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor and Underwriter.

If you are not a Missouri taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

The Missouri Higher Education Savings Program (the "Program Trust") is a trust created by the State of Missouri. When you invest in MOST-Missouri's 529 College Savings Plan (the "Plan"), you are purchasing portfolio units issued by the Program Trust. Portfolio units are municipal securities. The Plan has been implemented and is administered by the Missouri Higher Education Savings Program Board (the "Board"). Upromise Investments, Inc., and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, serve as the Program Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, with overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations, including effecting transactions. The Vanguard Group, Inc., and American Century Investments serve as Investment Managers for the Plan. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., markets and distributes the Plan. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in mutual funds, are not mutual funds. 

Upromise is an optional online service offered by Upromise, Inc. and is separate from the MOST program and the State of Missouri. Specific terms and conditions apply. Participating companies, contribution levels, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. Transfers subject to $25 minimum.

Upromise is a registered service mark of Upromise, Inc. Vanguard is a trademark of The Vanguard Group, Inc. Used with permission.

© 2009 State of Missouri.