Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs) most often refer to a savings account opened for the benefit of a very young child—at birth or by kindergarten age—into which a third party, such as a city, a nonprofit, a foundation, a parent, or others can deposit funds that are to be disbursed for post-secondary education expenses. CSAs have two general goals what are to build savings for the child, thus creating expectations for post-secondary education; and to encourage the family to develop savings habits.
What is often not discussed within CSA literature is the place CSAs occupy within the broader political economy and how CSAs can be leveraged in practical ways to support the interests of a broad array of policymakers at the state and municipal level. Review this report to understand more about the value of Children’s Savings Accounts and how best to bring policymakers on board for implementing them.
