NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- State Rep. Lowell Russell, R-Vonore, is encouraging families to take advantage of scholarship opportunities and start planning for their children’s post-secondary education through the TNStars College Savings 529 Program.

September is College Savings Month and to encourage more Tennessee families to start planning for the future cost of higher education, the TNStars College Savings 529 Program is giving away $5,000 in scholarships this month, awarding $1,000 each week in September, with five winners in total.

“The TN Stars program makes post-secondary education more accessible for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds,” Russell said. “This scholarship giveaway and savings program are great opportunities for parents to begin investing in their children’s future. I am proud to support TNStars and I hope our local families utilize these resources.”

Tennessee residents 21 and older can enter at TNStars.com to win a $1,000 scholarship on behalf of a child 10 of younger. Winners are announced each Friday on the TNStars Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram, with the last winner to be announced October 4.

The TNStars College Savings 529 Program was authorized by the General Assembly in 2012, providing an effective way for Tennessee families to save and invest for future higher education expenses such as housing, books, computers and additional expenses in a tax-advantaged investment vehicle.

Since its inception, TNStars has helped families save more than $365 million for college in over 27,000 accounts.

For more information on the scholarship giveaway, how to open a TNStars 529 savings account and more visit: https://tnstars.treasury.tn.gov/.

Lowell Russell represents District 21 which includes part of Loudon and Monroe Counties.