NEW GRANTS HELP UNION MEMBERS SAVE FOR COLLEGE

(DC Labor)

The rising cost of a college education is putting working families in a bind. However, if you open a new college savings account, your union may be able to help. The new Union Plus College Savings Grant offers $500 to qualified union members who open a new tax-free "529" college savings or prepaid tuition plan by November 30.  You are eligible for the $500 grant if you have had a Union Plus Credit Card, Mortgage or UnionSecure Insurance policy for one year and contribute at least $1,000 dollars to the account by November 30.  The college grant is part of a $3 million initiative introduced this year by Union Plus to assist union members facing financial hardship during the current recession. The program - called Union SAFE, for Security, Assistance and Financial Education - provides a wide array of benefits for qualifying members - from financial counseling to help with hospital payments to job loss protection to help avoiding foreclosure. For more information please visit http://www.unionplus.org/life-planning-services-legal/member-assistance-programs/union-safe-grants-education-savings.