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Third Quarterly Winners of College Savings Drawing Announced

Parents Entered in Drawing After Receiving College and Career Planning Information for Their Students

March 9, 2023

Thirty-seven Iowa parents and guardians each received $250 in college savings deposits after their entries were randomly selected in a quarterly drawing sponsored by Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation®. The winners were among 650 eligible participants who entered after receiving free college and career planning information for their middle and high school students.

The information service, SP3 or Student Planning Pointers for Parents, is provided by the nonprofit student loan provider to help parents and guardians guide their students through eighth through 12th grades with an eye to the future.

"Parents are often unsure of how to help their students think about and plan for the future. We want to help them understand the planning steps that apply to each student's grade level and what they as a family can do now to prepare for success in college and careers," said Steve McCullough, president and CEO of Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation.

The free service is provided via twice-monthly emails to parents and guardians who sign up at www.sp3.org Registered recipients have the opportunity to enter the quarterly drawings for deposits into a college savings account.

"As a parent of two high [school students], I find the SP3 emails very insightful and helpful," said winner Rachel Sandhorst of Decorah, Iowa. "The emails have taken the mystery out of post-secondary preparation and have helped me feel more comfortable with the cost of tuition for college. Thank you for the emails and all-around support!"

Mark Brown, a 2022 second-quarter winner from Iowa City, Iowa, said, "I just wanted to say THANK YOU! My family totally appreciates the $250 contribution." He added, "We have [six] children, all about two years apart … Having two kids in college for about 15 years straight is definitely a financial challenge, so every little bit is a great help to us."

The SP3 service is provided in partnership with College Savings Iowa, ICAN, the Iowa School Counselor Association and Strada Education Network.

Articles are carefully researched and informed by 40 years of experience in the higher education industry. Additionally, parents and guardians are provided with multiple resources to further explore topics of particular interest.

The information is targeted to specific grade levels to correspond with students' current stages. The consistent format explains why the topic is important, what students can do now, additional steps they should take later and what parents can do. In addition, talking points are provided as a guideline for approaching the topic with students.

More information and simple signup is available at www.sp3.org.

2022 Third-Quarter Winners

Each winner below received a $250 deposit to an established 529 college savings plan account.

  • Robyn Barnes, Britt
  • Amanda Bernard, Waterloo
  • Tara Bitterman, Cedar Rapids
  • Erica Bodensteiner, Waucoma
  • Neelea Boell, Altoona
  • Steve Clarke, Norwalk
  • Kimberly Cline-Brown, Cedar Falls
  • Kristie Dewiese, Evansdale
  • Andrea Ehlers, Mingo
  • Vicki Engelmann, Central City
  • Kristine Fierce, Gilbert
  • Rhonda Finck, Cedar Falls
  • Regina Gill, Marshalltown
  • Megan Heitzman, Williamsburg
  • Sandra Hoover, Des Moines
  • Angie Kamradt, Sanborn
  • Jason Kautz, Marion
  • Kathryn Knudson, Hiawatha
  • Michael LaBelle, Decorah
  • Rachel Lewis, Sioux City
  • Jill Meadows, Iowa City
  • Jenny Nielsen, Clive
  • Doug Ollendike, Polk City
  • Jamie Ostrander, Carroll
  • Sarah Overton, West Des Moines
  • Suzanne Owens, Huxley
  • Matt Rozell, Ankeny
  • Rachel Sandhorst, Decorah
  • Joe Sartell, Des Moines
  • Alyssa Sealman, Grundy Center
  • Amy Sedlacek-Harmon, Victor
  • Rachel Simonsen, Cherokee
  • Renda Smith, Mount Ayr
  • Jaime Spurlock, Center Point
  • Brian Sullivan, Decorah
  • Charstie Thorson, Des Moines
  • Angela Weible-Jones, Marion

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Media Contact

Christopher Weishaar, Digital PR Specialist, (515) 273-7102, cweishaar@studentloan.org