Updates and Resources from the Alfond Scholarship Foundation!

Discover New Ways to Use 529 Funds!

We've talked for a long time about the many ways that family savings invested in 529 accounts can be used to support education pathways after high school.

Did you know that this summer new federal legislation expanded the uses of 529 funds to an even broader range of postsecondary options?

This new policy allows 529-invested funds to be used for short-term industry credentials and licensure, in addition to two- and four-year degree programs, apprenticeships and more. While the federal regulations are currently being drafted, the general expectation is that these funds will be able to be used for programs like HVAC certification, nursing certificates and licenses, and even tech boot camps. Most programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) now count as qualified programs too!

Interested in learning more? Check out the article below, and/or reach out to our friends at FAME!

6 New Ways to Use Your 529 Account

Reminder: Boost Your Savings Before Year End!

Do you know about the annual matching grants for Maine residents? Contribute to a NextGen 529 account and receive 30% of your contribution amount in a NextStep Matching Grant—up to a $300 match per year!

Family members can also make one-time contributions to a college savings account—a great holiday gift from grandparents or others that can help maximize the NextStep Matching Grant!

Learn more about NextGen 529

The Alfond Scholarship Foundation is not an authorized distributor of NextGen529.

Read our disclaimer here.

Have you checked out MyPath yet?

Our oldest Alfond Grantees are just a year from graduation! MyPath, a new tool on the MyAlfondGrant website, helps teens learn about careers, education options, and money skills—all in one place.

It also features our Career Hacking Podcast, highlighting Real Maine Students, Real Stories — click the image to the right to listen and get inspired.

If you work one-on-one with high school students, MyPath is a great resource to share or explore together. Whether a teen is just starting high school or preparing for what’s next after graduation, MyPath can help them plan ahead with confidence.

Explore MyPath!

Report: Employer Strategies to Support Education Savings

Our friends at Commonwealth released a report that explores how employers can play a powerful role in helping employees—especially those earning low to moderate incomes—save for their children’s future education through 529 college savings plans.

The paper highlights practical strategies employers can use to support workforce financial wellbeing and help families build long-term wealth through education.

Access the Report

Community Partner Spotlight:

Maine Kindergarten Classrooms

For the past few years, kindergarten classrooms across Maine have been participating in Invest in ME Kindergarten—a fun, interactive program created by the Alfond Scholarship Foundation and FAME Maine (Finance Authority of Maine). The program helps young learners think about what they want to be when they grow up, builds early awareness of saving and spending, and sparks early conversations about their future. Four times a year, new electronic activities—aligned with Maine Learning Results—are released, along with teacher and parent guides.

We are grateful to the kindergarten teachers who have brought this program to life in their classrooms, and we've heard wonderful feedback on both its quality and ease of use. If you'd like to share Invest in ME Kindergarten with your young learners, we'd love to hear from you!

Invest in ME Kindergarten - Check it out!

Helping Kids Manage Stress

From homework and activities to social pressures and the constant buzz of social media, kids today face more stress than ever. Helping children learn healthy ways to decompress can make a big difference for their emotional well-being, focus, and confidence—both now and in the future.

Our blog post shares simple, practical strategies parents, caregivers, and resource providers can use to help school-age kids unwind, recharge, and build resilience.

How to Help Your Child Decompress During Stressful Times

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