May 2024 - The Education Plan®, 529 education savings plan, is proud to congratulate the students awarded the 2024 National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award!

This marks the ninth 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, $2.25 million in scholarships have been awarded to 4,500 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.

“For nearly a decade, NASSP and The Education Plan continue a 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, “Together we celebrate this year’s well-deserved students around the country.”

"From teaching coding fundamentals to rural students in India to crocheting bucket hats for teenagers battling cancer, these Outstanding Achievement Award winners have shown remarkable compassion, creativity and commitment to making a difference,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “We hope this recognition and investment in their future reminds them of the power they have to change the world.”

“This award means so much more to me than just money for college. To me this award is a sign of determination, perseverance, and commitment. It means that I have the potential to do great things in my life if I set my mind to it, and that if I try hard enough anything is possible. It's such a great honor to be selected,” said Varsha Ganesan, an eighth grader in Round Rock, TX and NJHS OAA Winner.

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 throughout the United States.

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.