As part of America Saves Week® (Feb. 27 – March 4), the College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program encourages parents with young children to plan today for the college costs that they and their children will face many years from now. A recent survey by America Saves Week showed that households with a savings plan made significantly more savings progress than those without a plan. Unlike a college savings plan, where a parent’s ability to pay for college costs is based on the amount saved and the investment performance, College Illinois! offers a unique, tax-advantaged opportunity to buy something tangible now — semesters of college. The program allows you to lock in the cost of college when a child is still young so no matter how high tuition rates climb when your student is ready to attend college, you’ll know tuition is covered for the schools in your plan. Plus, the value of College Illinois! benefits can be used at most private and out-of-state colleges as well. Currently, College Illinois! is offering a $200 price reduction on purchases of four semesters or more for a limited time. Newborn enrollment, for children born between September 1, 2016 and August 31, 2017, runs through August 31, 2017. For more information, visit www.collegeillinois.org. For information about America Saves Week, visit www.americasavesweek.org.