PROGRAM INFO

Eligibility

Kickstart to Career Newaygo County will benefit students enrolled in kindergarten fall 2018 through 2027. Eligible students must reside in the Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency (NCRESA) school district or a township immediately adjacent to it. Students must also attend kindergarten in the NCRESA school district, including public, private, or parochial schools. Homeschooled students residing in the NCRESA school district or a township immediately adjacent to it are also eligible. Please note that homeschooled students may not be automatically enrolled in the program. Contact Fremont Area Community Foundation at 231.924.5350 for verification of enrollment.

If a student moves within the NCRESA school district, the child is still considered a participant in the program and can continue to receive deposits and request withdrawals for qualifying career preparation needs upon graduation. If moving outside the NCRESA service area, the student will still have access to the account but will not be eligible for incentive deposits.

Enrollment

Students enrolled in kindergarten in fall 2018-2027 are automatically enrolled in the program. Student information--including student name, address, and student ID number--will be shared with Fremont Area Community Foundation and ChoiceOne Bank. Shared data will never include things like individual grades or test scores. No information will be shared outside of program partners.

Social security numbers are not needed because Fremont Area Community Foundation is the owner of the accounts. The student's school ID number is all that is needed and will be provided by the school district.

Parents interested in opting their student out of the program are encouraged to call the Community Foundation at 231.924.5350 for more information.

Accounts

Accounts are deposit-only, which means the funds remain on deposit until Fremont Area Community Foundation approves a withdrawal for future career preparation expenses.

Accounts are owned by Fremont Area Community Foundation, but the funds are held in trust for the student and available for withdrawal upon graduation from high school. Withdrawals must be a qualified career training or college expense and approved by the Community Foundation.

A parent or guardian can be added to the student's account as an account contact. This will allow them to ask about an account's activity and balance. Families can update their address with Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Initial deposits and funds earned from incentives will be directly deposited into the student's account by Fremont Area Community Foundation. Additional private deposits can be made at any ChoiceOne Bank in person or by mail by referencing the student's name, school, and birthdate. Reoccurring deposits can also be set up at any ChoiceOne Bank.

Accounts earn interest. Interest will be compounded each calendar quarter and will be credited accordingly.

Accounts are not subject to balance or transaction fees.

Funding

Each eligible student in Newaygo County has the opportunity to be the beneficiary of an account at ChoiceOne Bank, opened with a $50 deposit from Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Students will have opportunities to earn an additional $50 each year (grades 1-12) through incentives as determined by the champion committee. Families and friends can also make deposits at any time.

Deposits

Students are encouraged to save their money and deposit it into their account during deposit days at their participating Newaygo County school. Deposit days are held by ChoiceOne Bank and Fremont Area Community Foundation twice a year at each school.

Champion Committee

Kickstart to Career has a champion committee consisting of one school representative for every participating district. The role of the champion is to advocate for the program, advise on program functions, and be the main contact for parents, students, and teachers in their respective organization.

Rebecca Jackson, Big Jackson Public Schools

Denise Alleman, Fremont Christian School

Rachael Schwartz, Fremont Public Schools

Hannah Kregel, Grant Christian School

Amy Zerlaut, Grant Public Schools

Wendy Tozer, Hesperia Community Schools

Jen Thomasma, Newaygo Public Schools

Lorie Watson, White Cloud Public Schools

Patricia Brown, ChoiceOne Bank

Journee Veltkamp, ChoiceOne Bank

Affiliations

CFLeads

Community Economic Development Association of Michigan

University of Michigan

Midwest Children's Savings Account Consortium