Lesleigh Caroline Orfans came into the world just in time to earn a $529 Mississippi Affordable College Savings (MACS) scholarship.
She was one of two infants who won the College Savings Mississippi’s annual Baby Contest in celebration of National 529 College Savings Day, held annually on May 29.
The Baby Contest helps to raise awareness of the importance of saving early for education. Like other states, Mississippi offers tax-advantaged savings plans – known as 529 plans for their section in the Internal Revenue Code – that help families stretch their savings for future education expenses.
Mississippi State Treasurer Lynn Fitch, College Savings Mississippi and 18 Mississippi hospitals – including Baptist DeSoto, Baptist Golden Triangle and Baptist North Mississippi – teamed up to offer the two babies born closest to, at or after 5:29 a.m. and 5:29 p.m. on May 29 $529 MACS scholarships. In addition, all babies born at the participating hospitals that day received an “I’m a 529 baby” bib.
“We are grateful to the Mississippi Hospital Association and all our participating hospitals for helping us spread the word about how important it is to start saving early for your children’s education,” said Fitch. “Through promotional opportunities like these, we are working to make sure all families understand how College Savings Mississippi helps them invest in their children’s future.”
Lesleigh Caroline was born at 6:12 a.m. to Emily Brown and Justin Orfans of Hernando, Mississippi.
