ATLANTA — States across the country recognize September as College Savings Month, and Georgia will join in the celebration by kicking-off its annual What If…? College Savings Giveaway where two children will receive $5,529 each for their college savings.

“It is critical that Georgia’s students have the means to further their education beyond high school,” said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. “Now in its 15th year, the Path2College 529 Plan incentivizes families to plan and save for the future educational expenses of their loved ones.”

The giveaway is open to parents, legal guardians or grandparents (age 21 and older) of a child age 18 or under (at the time of entry) who are Georgia residents. The entry deadline is November 15, 2017.

This marks the fifth year for the giveaway, and more than $110,000 has been awarded to Georgia children and schools.

“It is amazing to know the Path2College 529 Plan has helped these children by contributing to their futures,” said Mitch Seabaugh, director of the Path2College 529Plan.

Seabaugh said they hope to raise awareness about the plan, encourage families to see for themselves how simple it is to open an account and to encourage them to start investing today.

“According to the Institute for Higher Education Policy, having a college savings account makes a child three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate than if they did not have one,” said Seabaugh. “Saving early and regularly is important, even if you can’t save a lot.”