Most parents are delighted by the thought of their children attending a college. But many are afraid they won't be able to afford it when the time comes.

Now, there's a financial solution that can help: Independent 529 Plan, the only national prepaid 529 plan for private colleges, including Princeton, Vanderbilt, Stanford and Notre Dame. Independent 529 Plan is designed to make a private college education more affordable for families who want to avoid the ever-rising cost of tuition. Here's how it works.

Independent 529 Plan allows you to prepay tuition that your children can use at more than 250^† of the nation's leading colleges and universities, with more joining all the time. Plus, every member college offers a purchase discount, so you can actually lock in future tuition at less than today's price*. There are no account owner fees: every dollar of your contributions goes toward tuition. An all the gain in value is free from federal income tax.**

Independent 529 Plan includes a wide range of private colleges to fit the individual needs and talents of students when they're ready to select a college. Member colleges include research universities, liberal arts colleges, women's colleges, historically Black colleges, religiously-affiliated colleges, science and engineering institutions, and more. "Tuition certificates" can be redeemed at any member college upon enrollment.

Learn more about the program (including the Disclosure Booklet) or enroll online today www.independent529plan.org.

*Participation in Independent 529 Plan does not guarantee admission to any college or university, nor does it affect the admissions process. Each participating institution offers a discounted rate of at least 0.5% less than current tuition rates. Discount rate may vary from year to year.

**The law allowing for federal income tax-free qualified withdrawals is set to expire on December 31, 2010. Congress may or may not extend this law beyond this date. Future changes in the law may create adverse tax consequences, or lead to termination of the Plan. TIAA-CREF and its affiliates do not provide tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor. Purchasers should read the Disclosure Booklet, including the Enrollment Agreement, carefully before making purchase decisions. Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc. and TIAA-CREF Individual and Institutional Services, LLC Distributors. Tuition Plan Consortium, LLC is the program sponsor and TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. is the program manager.

† As of December 2005