Diapers to Dorms

Upcoming NC 529 ‘Diapers to Dorms’ Baby Race Event Promises Fun and Laughter

North Carolina Families Can Start Saving for College with a Fun Halftime Crawl 

RALEIGH, NC (Jan. 29, 2024) — The countdown is on for the next NC 529 Diapers to Dorms Dash. This fun halftime baby race, organized by College Foundation, Inc. (CFI), will return on March 8 during the highly anticipated UNC-Duke basketball game. Families are invited to register their little ones for the chance to crawl toward a $529 contribution to an NC 529 college savings account.

The first event of the year took place Jan. 11, during the North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill men’s basketball game. Five adorable babies took center court for the ninth annual event at the Lenovo Center, where Louis Tomek, the eight-month-old son of Kyle and Adriel Tomek, crossed the finish line to win $529.

Since 2017, College Foundation, Inc., has sponsored the Diapers to Dorms Dash event. College Foundation, Inc. encourages families across the state to open or contribute to an NC 529 account, leading to better financial support for education for the students and families of North Carolina. Kyle Tomek described the event as exciting not only for him and his wife, but also for Louis.

“Watching Louis’s face light up when we first walked into the arena was amazing,” recalled Tomek. “Having everyone cheer for him and see him on the jumbotron was so exciting. He had never been in front of a crowd that big.”

Both college graduates, the Tomeks know firsthand the stress that comes with taking out student loans to achieve a higher education, making the final result of the Diapers to Dorms Dash even more meaningful to their family.

“Our hope is that saving for Louis now will give him the freedom to choose his future, whether that’s at college or a trade school, without having to worry about the financial part,” said Tomek.

Account beneficiaries are not required to attend college in North Carolina and can use the funds at higher institutions throughout the U.S. and even some foreign countries. Thanks to new regulations as of January 1, 2024, 529 plan account owners or beneficiaries now have even more flexibility and can choose to roll over funds into a Roth IRA tax free and penalty free.

"This event highlights how investing in a 529 college savings plan can help North Carolina’s children chase their dreams," said Tia Anderson, program services representative with College Foundation, Inc. (CFI). "We hope everyone will look into opening an NC 529 college savings account today and enter their crawlers in our second Diapers to Dorms Dash in March.”

To register your child for the next Diapers to Dorms event, visit goheels.com/babyracenc529.

Learn more about investing with the NC 529 Plan at CFNC.org/NC529.

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About North Carolina's National College Savings Program (NC 529 Plan)  
The NC 529 Plan is one of the family of services provided by College for North Carolina (CFNC) to help North Carolinians plan, apply and pay for college. The NC 529 Plan is a program of the State of North Carolina, established and maintained by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority to meet the requirements of a qualified tuition program under federal tax law; the program is administered by College Foundation, Inc.

To learn more about North Carolina's National College Savings Program, its investment objectives, risks and costs, read the Program Description available at CFNC.org/NC529 or call 800-600-3453 toll-free to request. Non-North Carolinians should check with their home state about tax or other benefits associated with investing in its own qualified tuition plan.