ScholarShare 529 Launches Back-to-School Promotion with $50 Shoe Gift Card

ScholarShare 529, California's official flexible college savings plan, has launched a back-to-school promotion designed to encourage families to start saving for their children's future education. The promotion, which runs from September 15 to September 30, 2026, offers new account holders a $50 gift card toward a pair of new shoes.

To qualify for the promotion, families must open a new account for a beneficiary, make an initial deposit of at least $50, use the promo code "kicks26" during the enrollment process, and set up recurring contributions of $50 or more per month for six consecutive months. Participants who meet these requirements will receive a $50 gift card by mail on or around April 30, 2027.

Cassandra DiBenedetto, Executive Director of the ScholarShare Investment Board, emphasized the importance of starting early in saving for education.

The promotion builds on ScholarShare 529's longstanding commitment to making education savings more accessible to California families and encouraging consistent savings habits. Regular monthly contributions can help families make education savings part of their routine and steadily work toward their long-term goals. Grandparents, relatives, and friends can contribute to a ScholarShare 529 account, turning birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations into opportunities to support a student's future.

ScholarShare 529 offers families a flexible, tax-advantaged way to save for education. Earnings grow tax-deferred, and funds can be withdrawn 100% tax-free when used for qualified expenses. Savings can be used at eligible colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad, as well as graduate schools, vocational schools, and trade schools. Funds can also be transferred to another eligible family member, giving families added flexibility as education plans and needs change. Qualified expenses can include tuition, books, computers, and more.