Newsroom

The Power of Communication

This fall, I hosted my annual Back-to-School telephone town hall, a tradition I’ve come to value greatly. Events like this let me connect with thousands of Mississippians at once, provide genuine accountability for the work my team and I are doing, and answer your questions directly. I believe government should be accessible, and these conversations are one way I keep that promise.

While we covered a range of topics, this call had a special focus: the reopening of MPACT for the 2025-26 enrollment season. For anyone new to the program, MPACT is Mississippi’s prepaid 529 college savings plan that allows families to lock in today’s tuition rates and pre-pay college costs for a child or grandchild. With tuition prices climbing, that can translate into tremendous savings for Mississippi families.

What struck me most during this particular call was how many grandparents joined the discussion. Many grandparents told us they are eager to invest in their grandchildren’s futures and ready to encourage them to attend college here at home.

MPACT makes that possible. An in-state grandparent can purchase a plan for an out-of-state grandchild, helping bring the next generation back to Mississippi schools while also strengthening our state’s future workforce. It’s a win for families and for our economy.

Of course, planning ten or more years ahead raises plenty of “what-ifs,” and we tackled many of them during the event. What if my child earns a scholarship? What if they go to a two-year college instead of a four-year institution? Jenny in Tupelo asked whether MPACT credits work if her child begins at a community college and later transfers to a four-year university. The simple answer is yes. That said, MPACT offers several purchase options, so please talk to one of our team members for the specifics on how your credits may be affected.

Andre from Jackson posed another important question: What if a child decides not to attend college at all? While new plans don’t include a full refund option, the funds can be rolled over into another financial account. Just contact a member of my team to discuss what options are available for your family.

Mississippi is thriving. In fact, during a live poll we conducted that evening, 91 percent of participants said they believe our state is headed in the right direction. That optimism shows.

I am grateful to everyone who took part in this town hall and shared their questions. Your input guides the work we do at the State Treasury every day. If you missed the event, don’t worry! More town halls are on the horizon, and I hope you’ll join us next time.

In the meantime, if you have questions about MPACT or any of Mississippi’s college savings programs, visit treasury.ms.gov or call my team at (601) 359-5255. It is an honor to serve as your State Treasurer, and I look forward to continuing to help Mississippi families plan and save for the future.