State treasurer emphasizes higher education during school visit

It's not every day the state treasurer swings by to offer investment advice.

Cape Girardeau Central Middle School students gathered Friday morning to listen to Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel speak about the importance of investing in the future. While it's important to make monetary investments, no matter how modest, Zweifel told students it was equally important they invest in themselves by working hard in school.

He asked the students about their career interests -- the answers ranged from teacher to video-game designer -- and told them it was never too early to start working toward that dream job.

Thinking about their careers also can help students win a little extra cash to go toward their college education. Throughout September, also recognized as College Savings Month, kindergarten through fifth-grade students across the state can enter a contest sponsored by the treasurer by submitting posters depicting what they want to be when they grow up.

Two grand prize winners will receive a $1,500 contribution into a MOST 529 account. After winners are chosen, 10 additional posters will be placed in the running to win a people's choice award. Those who receive the most votes on MOST 529's Facebook page will win a $529 contribution.

MOST 529 is a tax-advantage program that enables families to save for a child's higher education. Investments can be used toward qualified higher-education expenses such as tuition, books and certain room and board costs. More information is available at MissouriMost.org.

While college may seem far away for the fifth-graders Zweifel spoke to Friday, he said early planning can make a big difference.

"If we can start saving for college earlier, the difference is huge," he said. "Fifty dollars a month from the time that your child is born until they're 18, based on a pretty reasonable return, can be about $18,000 for their college education. So saving early, even modest amounts, makes a huge impact. ..."

He also said he believed it was important to start talking to students at a young age to help them understand that even before they reach high school, they have the power to start building for a better future. It starts with hard work and staying focused in school, even if the subject is difficult, Zweifel said.

He also wants parents and educators to be aware of how important it is to engage children from a young age and help them become invested in their education.

"I think we have to, as a society, understand that we have to capture the imagination of our young people at a very early age in terms of what their hopes and dreams are," Zweifel said. "That doesn't start when the ACT test planners say it starts, in their junior year or freshman year; that starts early on. That means stoking their intellectual curiosity as much as we can at school and at home."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.