Some Brandon School District parents recently hit what is equivalent to the lottery, says June Wuopio, Brandon Community Education director.
Children enrolled in Brandon’s Head Start program were chosen to be eligible for a SEED (Saving for Education, Entrepreneurship and Downpayment) grant. The grant enables parents to get ‘free? money for their child’s college education.
By filling out application paperwork and making a deposit of $25 into a savings account, the national grant’s business partners will follow with a deposit of $800 and match subsequent deposits the parents make over four years, up to an additional $1,200. The state of Michigan will also make a $200 deposit into the account.
‘I told the parents it was like we hit the lottery,? said Wuopio. ‘This kind of opportunity just doesn’t happen.?
Susan O’Donnell is the assistant director of SEED for the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA) and said the agency is one of only 13 sites nationwide selected for the SEED grant, part of an experimental pilot program that researches economic opportunities.
Besides Brandon, other Head Start programs in OLHSA that benefit from SEED are Baldwin (Pontiac), Farmington, Ferndale, Huron Valley, Royal Oak and Walled Lake.
O’Donnell said that OLHSA is the largest experimental site, with 500 accounts available to be opened.
Wuopio said that of 34 Brandon Head Start families, 25 have already opened accounts. The remaining families have until early March to open an account and reap the benefits of the program.
‘The idea is that anyone regardless of economic background can save for their child’s future,? O’Donnell said.
Monica Morales is one Brandon Head Start parent who has opened a SEED account for her 4-year-old son, Michael Young.
‘I think the grant really helps the parents save for college,? Morales said. ‘It’s wonderful. I had wanted to get an account and start saving. College is so expensive.?
Even if parents don’t make any additional deposits after the $25, the $800 will be there for their child’s education.
‘Hopefully it will grow and by the time your preschooler is in college, they will have enough money for a good start on their college education,? Wuopio said. ‘It almost sounds too good to be true, but it is true. It’s a great opportunity.?
For more information on the SEED grant for Brandon Head Start families, call (248) 627-1870.