Education Trust of Alaska Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering Families and Investing in Future Generations

August 31, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2026

Education Trust of Alaska Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering Families and Investing in Future Generations

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Education Trust of Alaska is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a reception at the University of Alaska Museum of the North and the Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium on August 31, marking a quarter-century of helping families across Alaska and the nation prepare financially for education after high school.

Established in March 2000 with the support of the Alaska Legislature, the Trust funded its first accounts in April 2001. Today, it sponsors three national, tax-advantaged education savings programs: Alaska 529, the T. Rowe Price 529, and the John Hancock Freedom 529 Plan.

Together, these programs have distributed more than $10 billion on behalf of 566,000 beneficiaries. More than $12 billion remains invested for 324,000 future students nationwide to use for qualified expenses associated with college, vocational education, apprenticeships, and other eligible forms of education and training.

"For 25 years, the Education Trust of Alaska has helped families turn their hopes for the future into concrete plans-and those plans into opportunities," said Luke Fulp, vice president of finance for the University of Alaska and Trust administrator. "These numbers are impressive, but behind every account is a student, a family, and a dream for tomorrow."

The Trust's impact is deeply felt across Alaska. Each year, more than 3,500 beneficiaries of ETA-sponsored plans enroll within the University of Alaska system, generating approximately $23 million in tuition, fees, and other university revenue.

One of the Trust's signature achievements is its unique partnership with Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend Division. Since 2001, Alaskans have elected to contribute a portion of their PFDs directly to Alaska 529 accounts more than 326,000 times, resulting in more than $223 million invested in education savings.

"The real measure of this milestone is not simply the dollars managed. It is the credentials earned, the degrees conferred, the apprenticeships completed, and the doors opened for Alaska's workforce," said University of Alaska Regent Karen Purdue.

During the anniversary celebration, Representative Ashley Carrick will present the Education Trust of Alaska with an official legislative citation recognizing its 25 years of service to Alaska's students and families.

The Trust is also commemorating the milestone and the beginning of College Savings Month by presenting a $7,500 contribution to the University of Alaska Museum of the North and the Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium. The contribution will provide admission to the new planetarium for 300 local youth and support the UA Museum of the North Open House.

"For the past 10 years, we have been proud to partner with the Museum of the North to encourage curiosity, discovery, and learning among Alaska's young people," said Lael Oldmixon, representative of the Trust. "These planetarium visits will give local youth an opportunity to explore new possibilities, imagine where education might take them, and perhaps become Alaska's future scientists, engineers, and explorers."

The Trust also will recognize its longstanding partners, T. Rowe Price and John Hancock, for their collaboration, stewardship, and shared commitment to helping families prepare for postsecondary education.

For more information about the Education Trust of Alaska and its 529 education savings programs, visit EducationTrustAK.com.

Media Contact: Lael Oldmixon, Executive Director of the Education Trust of Alaska
Email: [email protected] Phone: 907-450-8115

Photos of the event will be uploaded to the Alaska 529 gallery on Tuesday.