Third Quarterly Winners of College Savings Drawing Announced
Parents Entered in Drawing After Receiving College and Career Planning Information for Their Students
January 5, 2026
Forty 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 585 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.
Winner Melinda Bochmann from Solon, Iowa said, "We are super excited and very grateful for this money! We appreciate all your organization is doing to help educate us and our kids about the upcoming process we will most likely face (assuming they do go to college!)." She shared her own struggles with college planning, stating, "I was a first-generation college student, and I had no clue about anything. … By the grace of God alone, I made it through all of the paperwork and processes to get into and through college."
The SP3 service is provided in partnership with ISave 529, 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.
2025 Third-Quarter Winners
Each winner below received a $250 deposit to an established 529 college savings plan account.
- Elizabeth Alt, Cedar Rapids
- Kyle Andernacht, Johnston
- Renee Begley, Clive
- Abdellatif Benbah, Ames
- Paul Berland, Decorah
- Melissa Bernhardt, Waukee
- Melinda Bochmann, Solon
- Stacey Borrenpohl, LaMotte
- Gilles Cochet, Marion
- Angie Dethlefs-Trettin, Des Moines
- Rhiannon Ellerhoff, Tipton
- Lara Fluhr, Sherrill
- Allyson Forney, Randolph
- Alison Gearhart, Goldfield
- Julie Gleason, Denver
- Nancy Gragg, Grimes
- Ron Jorgensen, Robins
- Danae Krutzfeldt, Davenport
- Klye Kuehler, Monticello
- Tim Messinger, Washington
- Kelle Molloy, Ankeny
- Jana Moseley, Burlington
- Tina Nelson, Urbandale
- Carrie Nepple, Council Bluffs
- Jamie Page, Des Moines
- Denise Parkins, Indianola
- Tracy Pfannebecker, Sigourney
- Rania Robb, Bondurant
- Trina Roos, Marion
- Quinn Ruhl, Keokuk
- Annie Schrum, Denison
- Katy Smoot, Bloomfield
- Chad Swanson, Ankeny
- Kevin Teske, Ames
- Heather Torp, West Des Moines
- Karla Turney, North Liberty
- Leah Vande Vegte, Inwood
- Melissa White, Cedar Rapids
- Connie Wright, Manchester
- Sara Zehr, Ames
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Media Contact
Christopher Weishaar, Digital PR Specialist, (515) 273-7102, cweishaar@studentloan.org
