ScholarShare 529 — California’s official college savings plan — has unveiled a new program designed to help parents preparing to send their children to college amid the pandemic: ScholarShare 529 College Countdown.

ScholarShare 529 College Countdown combines curated content about the transition from high school to college with a Parent Advisory Council, which provides insights from parents who have already sent their children to college. ScholarShare 529 designed the program with 529 account owners whose children are 16 or older in mind, however, this resource is available to all parents for free.

“As COVID-19 continues to change today’s higher education experiences, we’ve embraced innovation as a means to help California families navigate the transition from high school to college,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “ScholarShare 529 has a track record spanning more than 20 years, and many account beneficiaries have college on the horizon. College Countdown will help these families plan for what’s next when they need it most, and I’d encourage college savers to take advantage of this valuable program.”

Organizations interested in partnering to get this information out to the families they serve should contact ScholarShare Investment Board staff at scholarshare@treasurer.ca.gov. Access the ScholarShare 529 College Countdown at https://collegecountdown.scholarshare529.com.