May 2025 - The Education Plan®, 529 education savings plan, is proud to congratulate the students awarded the 2025 National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award!

This marks the 10th year that 500 NJHS students from across the United States were selected to receive $500 scholarship awards in the form of 529 accounts with The Education Plan. Over the last decade, $2.5 million in scholarships have been awarded to 5,000 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.

“We are proud to continue a long-term shared commitment with NASSP 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 student awardees around the country.”

"Every year these NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award winners remind me why we do this work—they're tackling real problems in their schools and neighborhoods with creativity and determination,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “These student leaders are proof that powerful leadership comes from character and commitment, not age or title.” 

“Winning this award means the world to me. It shows that all the time and effort I’ve put into school and helping others has been noticed. When I found out I won, I felt proud, excited, and thankful. It gave me more confidence and made me want to keep working hard and doing good things for others.” – Anay Pandit, Little Rock, AR

As college costs and related expenses can amount to a significant cost, 529 education savings plans offer a comprehensive solution to reduce or avoid the burden of student loans. While education expenses are significant, smart saving can prepare families. 

Students can use their 529 funds to pay for education expenses at universities, colleges, trade schools and professional schools throughout the United States for a variety of qualified expenses including tuition, room and board, books, fees and computer equipment at eligible educational institutions.

Opening a 529 account with The Education Plan allows families to experience the benefits of tax-advantaged savings. Contributions grow tax-free, and future withdrawals are also tax free as long as they are used to pay for qualified expenses.

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