Happy (Early) National Saving for College Day!
From Getting In: A College Coach Conversation by Bright Horizons College Coach
May 28, 2026 · 55 min
About this episode
This episode focuses on National College Savings Day and explores various college savings strategies, including 529 plans and alternatives.
Host Shannon Vasconcelos dedicates this special, all‑finance episode to National College Savings Day (5/29, 529 - get it?) , beginning with Jonathan Hughes , Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation at the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) . Jonathan explains how MEFA, a not‑for‑profit state‑chartered organization founded in 1982, helps families plan and pay for college through savings programs and loans, as well as its expanding focus on postsecondary pathways beyond college. The conversation dives deep into 529 plans —their history, purpose, how they work, and why they remain a cornerstone of college savings strategies. In the second segment, Shannon welcomes Finance Expert Beth Feinberg‑Keenan to explore alternatives to 529 plans . Beth outlines other ways families can save and invest for education, including Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, taxable investment accounts (in either a parent or student's name), Roth IRAs , and even real estate strategies . She highlights the pros, cons, and flexibility of each option to help families determine the best fit for their financial goals.
People in this episode
Host: Shannon Vasconcelos
Guests: Jonathan Hughes, Beth Feinberg-Keenan
Topics covered
- college savings
- 529 plans
- financial planning
- education funding
- investment strategies
Keywords
- college savings
- 529 plans
- MEFA
- education funding
- Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
- Roth IRAs
- investment accounts
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
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