The Education Plan, New Mexico’s 529 college savings plan, is proud to congratulate New Mexico students awarded the 2020 National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award.

This marks the fifth 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, almost $1.25 million in scholarships have been awarded to nearly 2,500 middle school students around the country.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAASP) 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.

New Mexico NJHS OAA Winners 2020

Alyana Cordova, Clovis

Kassandra Carrasco, Albuquerque

Graciela Rodriguez, Rio Rancho

Zachary Cruz, Rio Rancho

Ella Lent-Koop, Rio Rancho

“The strategic partnership between NASSP and The Education Plan is based upon our shared commitment to helping middle school students realize their education goals and ease the burden of student loan debt," said Ted Miller, Executive Director of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico, which administers The Education Plan. “We’re happy to extend these benefits to such an accomplished group of students and their families.”

The costs of higher education continue to increase. A 529 college savings plan is the 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.

The Education Plan provides many federal and state tax-advantages for New Mexico's families. New Mexico is just one of four states allowing a full state income tax deduction for contributions to the 529 Plan. 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.