May 16, 2023 - The Education Plan®, 529 education savings plan, is proud to congratulate the students awarded the 2023 National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award!

This marks the eighth year that 500 NJHS students from across the country were selected to receive $500 scholarship awards in the form of 529 accounts with The Education Plan. To date, $2 million in scholarships have been awarded to 4,000 middle school students around the country.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) sponsors the NJHS for middle school students and is the creator of the Outstanding Achievement Award. The award recognizes middle school students who have demonstrated their commitment to the five pillars of the NJHS – scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

“The strategic partnership between NASSP and The Education Plan is based upon our shared commitment to helping students realize their education goals and ease the burden of student loan debt, said Natalie Cordova, Executive Director of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico, which administers The Education Plan. She added, “We are proud to acknowledge such an accomplished group of students and their families.”

“These Outstanding Achievement Award winners have already used their love of service to make a difference within their schools and communities,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. "These student leaders have engaged in efforts to prevent suicide, built beds for kids who need them, and in one instance, even used a prized pig to advocate for youth agriculture programs. We hope this recognition and investment in their education supports their leadership growth and reminds us all about the power each student has to change the world.”

"Winning the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award has been a personal goal for several years,” said NJHS OAA winner Ryan Harries of Weston, FL. “I appreciate being recognized by this national organization for my many accomplishments and recognize that there are many exceptional individuals who share this award with me. It is wonderful to be recognized with these other recipients!"

The costs of higher education continue to increase. A 529 education savings plan is an ideal way for families to save for education costs now so there is less student debt in the future. Students can use their 529 education savings plan to pay for a traditional four-year university degree, community college, or trade school.

Opening a 529 account with The Education Plan allows families to experience the benefits of many federal and state tax advantages. Contributions grow tax-free, and future withdrawals are also tax free as long as they are used to pay for qualified expenses including tuition, room, meal plans, books, supplies, computers, and fees.

Studies show if a family has as little as $500 saved for college, a child is three times as likely to go to college and four times as likely to graduate.

For more information about The Education Plan, go to TheEducationPlan.com.

For more information about the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award, go to www.njhs.us/OAA.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.