LSU student urges parents to START saving

Edna Stewart
March 15, 2011
Is Our Seafood Safe?
March 17, 2011
Edna Stewart
March 15, 2011
Is Our Seafood Safe?
March 17, 2011

Dear Editor,


Recently in publications around the state, there has been talk of budget cuts and tuition hikes for higher education, especially LSU. While many are politicizing the issue, it came to my attention that the state of Louisiana offers ways for its residents to combat these issues before their children get to college.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) administers the state’s 529 college savings plan called the START Saving for College Program. START can help families set aside funds for future college costs, and it offers citizens savings strategies of all types to help pay for college.


As an incentive to save with START, the state of Louisiana will annually match a percentage of the deposits made to accounts during the year. The START Saving Program is also exempt from federal taxes, and earnings on deposits are also exempt from state and federal taxes when used to pay higher education expenses, such as tuition, fees, room and board, supplies and college enrollment funds.

As a student who is dealing with the repercussions of budget cuts to higher education, I encourage parents to look into the START Saving for College program and begin planning for their child’s future now.

Mary Walker Baus,

LSU Mass Comm student