There are some key things you can do now to help your elementary student succeed and build a bright future. There are even things you can do now to help them get ready for higher education.

Higher education is any education beyond high school. This includes trade schools and community colleges, as well as public and private colleges and universities.

Tips for Success

Show your child that school is something you value by being involved in their school.

  • Visit the school and get to know your child’s teacher.
  • Attend parent-teacher conferences and ask questions about how your child is doing.
  • Establish routines that support learning.
  • Many children have “homework” or track reading time at home — this work can be done together.
  • Visit different places where learning happens such as museums, libraries, state parks, and community events.
  • Drive through or visit college campuses when you’re in a town with a school – it’s not too early to start!

Invest in ME Kindergarten

When your child is in kindergarten, look out for tools and resources from Invest in ME Kindergarten! Kindergarten is a wonderful time to start thinking about and planning for your child’s bright future.

Kindergarten child

Encourage your child to dream big by talking with your child about:

  • Their own dreams for their life.
  • How their interests may relate to a job, and what kind of school or training they would need to have for that job.

Download NextGen 529’s Talk About the Future conversation starters for more ideas.

Invest in Your Child’s Future

  • Reevaluate your family’s savings plan as finances change. For example, when child care costs go down when your child enters kindergarten, think about saving a part of what you were spending for child care.
  • Help your child succeed by opening a NextGen 529 account.
  • Once you have a NextGen 529 account add money when you can — even just $5 a month can really help.
  • Encourage family and friends to give the gift of education by making contributions to your child’s NextGen 529 account.

NextGen 529 is a Section 529 plan administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). You may obtain the NextGen 529 Program Description by requesting a copy from your financial professional, visiting NextGenforME.com or calling the program manager at 1-833-336-4529. The Program Description should be read carefully before investing. 

The Program Description contains more complete information, including investment objectives, charges, expenses and risks of investing in NextGen 529, which you should carefully consider before investing. If you are not a Maine resident, you also should consider whether your or your designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan. 

NextGen 529 accounts are not bank deposits and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Returns on investments in NextGen 529 accounts are not guaranteed or insured by the State of Maine, FAME or any NextGen 529 service providers. NextGen 529 participants assume all investment risk of an investment in NextGen 529, including the potential loss of principal and liability for tax penalties that are assessable in connection with certain types of withdrawals of amounts invested in NextGen 529. 

Vestwell State Savings, LLC is the program manager, The Bank of New York Mellon is the program custodian, BlackRock Advisors, LLC is the program investment manager, and BlackRock Investments, LLC, Member FINRA, is the program distributor and underwriter.