Local 4th Graders Receive Starter Scholarships

January 31, 2003

Fifty Colorado fourth graders who creatively expressed their thoughts on today’s most pressing issues in their lives will receive college starter account scholarships in the second annual "Who Wants To Be A College Student?" Program sponsored by CollegeInvest – which offers Colorado’s only state-sponsored 529 college savings plans.

"Who Wants To Be A College Student? is designed to encourage students and their families to see college as an expectation they set for themselves and reinforce the importance of starting early to save for college," said Marilyn Quinn, chief operating officer of savings plans for CollegeInvest.

The top 20 students have been selected as finalists to participate Saturday, February 8, at Invesco Field in a "just for fun," Who Wants To Be A College Student?" game show, loosely modeled after the popular TV program, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" They will receive additional CollegeInvest starter account scholarship funds in a win-win situation for all participants. Steven Turcotte, and Daniel Conrad both from Eads Elementary are among the participants.

An additional 50 fourth-graders are being recognized with honorable mention certificates based on their entries. Bailey King, and Dusty Eikenberg both from Eads Elementary received honorable mention.

The 100 students selected as finalists, semi-finalists and honorable mention awardees were selected from 2,000 entries representing 60 Colorado communities. Teachers representing more than 4,000 Colorado fourth-graders responded to the opportunity to enter their students in the program.

The Finalists

Each of the 50 semi-finalists will receive a $50 CollegeInvest starter account scholarship. The investment has the potential to grow over the next eight or more years when today's fourth graders attend college. Family and friends of these fourth graders have the option of adding to these accounts over the years.

Teachers served as judges for Who Wants To Be A College Student? entries. There were no right or wrong answers. Selection was based on creativity and the student's ability to express his or her thoughts and ideas. Students used short essays, poetry or drawings to express a significant event that has impacted their life; to describe five items that they would choose to be placed in a time capsule about Colorado; or to share concerns impacting their lives.

For more information on CollegeInvest's tax-advantaged, 529 college savings plan, call 888-SAVE NOW or visit the website at www.collegeinvest.org.