Union Grant Helps Fire Fighter Save Money for College Fund

October 21, 2010 -- South Metro, CO Local 2164 fire fighter Matt Goebel has long dreamed of saving money so his three boys can attend college. But putting money aside was hard -- until he was awarded a $500 Union Plus College Savings grant.

“College is too important not to do all you can to save for it,” says Goebel. “So when someone offers you $500 to help save for college, just for being a union member, you take it. And if you haven’t started saving yet, it’s the perfect way to start.”

Goebel had discussed saving for college with his wife, Jenny. The plan was for her to go back to work once the kids were in school, enabling them to put the money she earned aside for college.

But with six-year-old Ethan, four-year-old Logan and two-year-old Lucas at home, they realized it was going to be awhile before they could put that plan in place.

The Goebel’s began looking for other ways to save money. Matt heard about the Union Plus College Savings grant at a union meeting. The grant provides $500 to union members and retirees who open a new tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan or pre-paid tuition account. The 529 account must have a balance of at least $1,000 and the beneficiary must be 12 years old or younger at the time the 529 account is opened.

Union Plus was created by the AFL-CIO to provide union members with consumer benefits. Click here to learn more about the grant.