Several hundred kindergarten and first grade students will soon join the more than 70,000 Nevada public school kindergarten and first-grade students who already have a college savings account thanks to the continuation of the Nevada College Kick Start Program. 

The College Kick Start Program has deposited $50 into an account in the name of each Nevada public school 2013-15 kindergarten student to help them save for college.  

On Oct. 29, kindergarten and first-grade students have a chance to add $50 to their Nevada College Kick Start accounts by attending the 2nd Annual Opportunity Alliance Family College Night. The event will be 5-7 p.m. in the Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Thanks to generous support from the Corporation for Enterprise Development's 1:1 Fund, each person who opens a new SSgA Upromise 529 college savings account for an eligible kindergarten or first-grade student during Family College Night will earn an extra $50 in their existing College Kick Start account. Attendees also have the chance to win a $529 college savings account provided by the Nevada State Treasurer's Office.  

Nevada State Treasurer Kate Marshall established the Nevada College Kick Start program in 2013, the first statewide children's savings account program in the nation.

"Studies have shown that children who know they have a college savings account in their name are seven times more likely to attend an institution of higher learning," Marshall said. "Even a small amount of savings improves a child's determination and preparedness for college and higher education, regardless of family income, ethnicity or the educational attainment of the child's parents."

Family College Night is free and open to all Washoe County School District students and their families. Information about other college savings options plus free dinner, ice cream and kids' activities will be available. Family College Night includes free transportation to and from the event from the following schools, beginning at 4:30 until 7:30 p.m.:  

• Booth Elementary School
• Lincoln Park Elementary School
• Corbett Elementary School                                           
• Kate Smith Elementary School
• Lemelson Elementary School                                        
• Veterans Elementary School  

Additional information about Family College Night is available through all Washoe County School District schools, their counselors, principals and kindergarten class teachers.  

The Opportunity Alliance is a public, private and nonprofit collaboration with a mission to strengthen individuals and families so they can attain and preserve assets, become more financially stable and achieve long-term economic independence.  Information about Corporation for Enterprise Development can be found at 1to1fund.org .   

Sponsors of the 2nd Annual Opportunity Alliance Family College Night include Opportunity Alliance, Nevada College Kick Start, US Bank, Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Washoe County School District, Truckee Meadows Community College and University of Nevada, Reno.