ScholarShare to Sponsor Causeway Cup Between UC Davis and Sacramento State

California's 529 College Savings Plan Program Supports Athletic Tradition to Educate Youth, Increase Awareness About College Education


SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 19, 2013) - ScholarShare, California's 529 college savings plan, today announced it will serve as the sponsor of the annual Causeway Cup for the second year in a row. The Causeway Cup is an all-sport competition between the UC Davis Aggies and the Sacramento State Hornets, including the Causeway Classic football game between the two old-time rivals.

The Causeway Classic will be held on Nov. 23, 2013 at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium. For tickets to the football game, visit the school's athletic web pages or ticket offices.

Through the support of this athletic tradition, ScholarShare aims to bring awareness to California parents and youth on the importance of a college education and starting to save early. ScholarShare wants all parents to be able to help their child afford higher education. The first step is opening a ScholarShare college savings account, which only takes $25 to open.

Any earnings from the college fund can grow tax-deferred, and are federal and California state income tax-free when used to pay for qualified higher education expenses. ScholarShare has the tools to make it easier than ever for family and friends to contribute. And, through ScholarShare's "Give a Gift" option, anyone can open a 529 plan or gift one. College savings specialists are available for phone and in-person consultations at no cost to answer questions.

ScholarShare continues to offer flexible features. Any US citizen, or resident alien with a valid Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number, can open a new account on behalf of a beneficiary. Funds can be used at any eligible educational institution in the nation, and some abroad, for a variety of qualified higher education expenses, including mandatory fees, books, supplies, or even certain room and board costs.

About the ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan:
ScholarShare accounts may be opened with as little as $25 per investment portfolio. ScholarShare has no annual account maintenance fee, no income limit and offers a high maximum account balance. Established in 1999, ScholarShare currently holds more than $5 billion in assets in more than 245,000 accounts as of 6/30/13. To sign up for an account or for more information about the plan, visit www.scholarshare.com. For information about the ScholarShare Investment Board (SIB), visit www.treasurer.ca.gov/scholarshare. Like ScholarShare on Facebook at www.facebook.com/scholarshare529 and follow us on Twitter at @ScholarShare529.

Named for the section of the IRS code under which they were created, 529 plans offer valuable tax advantages. Contributions are made with money that has already been taxed. Once funds are placed in the account, investment earnings, if any, are not federally or state taxed, if withdrawn to pay for qualified higher education costs.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan. Please visit www.scholarshare.com for a Program Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully.

Before investing in a 529 plan, consider whether the state where you or your Beneficiary resides has a 529 plan that offers favorable state tax benefits that are available if you invest in that state's 529 plan.

The tax information contained herein is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Non‐qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal and state taxes and the additional federal 10% tax. Non-qualified withdrawals may also be subject to an additional 2.5% California tax on earnings.

Investments in the Program are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss.

The ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan Twitter and Facebook pages are managed by the state of California.

TIAA‐CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Program Manager.