Grandparents' College Savings Plan Helps Win More Money

Three grandchildren in Alpharetta are getting an early start to their college savings because of their grandparents, who decided college savings accounts beat toys as the better birthday gift.

Donald and Donna Tisdale of Dahlonega, decided the best birthday gift they could give their grandchildren was the gift of a brighter future, according to a news release. They chose to open 529 accounts for their three grandchildren—Braydon, Tanner and Walker of Alpharetta. And their participation won them an additional college savings contribution, and featured their family on billboards throughout Metro Atlanta. 

The Tisdales shared their story with Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan, and they were selected as the first winners of the “Saving for College Makes a Difference” essay contest. 

The contest is giving four Georgia families the opportunity to win $529 toward a college savings plan, and be featured on a billboard campaign in the heart of Atlanta.   

Donald Tisdale’s essay said, “In addition to an abundance of time and love, we have chosen to focus on gifting the grandchildren the ability to go to college by emphasizing the yearly 529 Plan contribution over just a toy. When the joy of a new toy is soon forgotten or outgrown the life-long success that a college education can enable will be remembered.”

The Tisdale’s still buy toys, “but the emphasis which we know they will someday appreciate more is the gift of helping to make their education possible...the path to a brighter future.” 

Donald Tisdale said that he was the first person in his family to earn a college degree, and it has made an immense difference in his life. 

“I encouraged my children to go to college, and I wanted to continue the tradition of education with the next generation,” said Tisdale. “I wanted to give the gift of an education to all of our grandchildren.” 

“Hearing first-hand stories about saving for college not only helps us tailor our plan to meet the needs of our residents, we think that sharing these college savings stories will inspire others to start saving,” said Mitch Seabaugh, director of the Path2College 529 Plan, in the plan's news release.