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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

January 4, 2022

Thirty-six 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 464 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 student 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.

"There's lots of financial planning websites and information sources targeted towards parents and saving for their child's educational future, but very few of those same sources address the topics that students should be thinking about and considering," said 2020 winner Frank Bulk of Sioux Center, Iowa. "The regular emails with class-appropriate content encourage parents to have those conversations."

"I have found the SP3 parent (articles) to be very applicable, easy to read, and specific to the various ages of our children," said winner Dawn Stultz of Ainsworth, Iowa. "They provide great topics to discuss as a family and helpful resources for additional information."

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.

2021 Third-Quarter Winners

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

  • Connie Adams, Denver
  • Robyn Barnes, Britt
  • Crystal Berg, Urbandale
  • Melissa Bernhardt, Waukee
  • Melody Dean, Johnston
  • Jeri Derrig, Webster City
  • Connie Dworak Rus, Council Bluffs
  • Megan Garringer, Williamsburg
  • Carol Geil, Marshalltown
  • Cindy Gloeckner, Robins
  • Christy Heitman, Storm Lake
  • Bryan Hellyer, Graettinger
  • ason Kautz, Marion
  • Chris Kinnison, West Des Moines
  • Lynne Lutze, Peosta
  • Shelley Malcom, Ida Grove
  • Michael May, Mason City
  • Mundi McCarty, Solon
  • Jenny Nielsen, Clive
  • Jennifer Novotny, Robins
  • Doug Ollendike, Polk City
  • Jenifer Patten, Waukee
  • Monica Pettit, Creston
  • Cheryl Reeves, Norwalk
  • Megan Reiner, Ankeny
  • Nate Rushing, Des Moines
  • Zachary Sitzmann, Le Mars
  • Rhonda Slight, Storm Lake
  • Dawn Stultz, Ainsworth
  • LeAnna Sulzner, Des Moines
  • Sharon Swarts, Newton
  • Paige Wallace, Asbury
  • Daniel Walsh, Dubuquev
  • Webb Wassmer, Marion
  • Kristin Williams, Clive
  • Lisa Wyatt, West Des Moines

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Media Contact

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