KEYSTONE CONNECTIONS

January 2026

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second- best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb

This timeless wisdom reminds us that the choices we make today shape the future. Keystone Scholars gives Pennsylvania families a powerful way to start saving early for their child’s education by providing a $100 scholarship for future education. Your support helps parents understand the importance of saving early and encourages them to take action. Together, we’re not just opening accounts, we’re opening doors to opportunity and building a brighter future for every child.

Keystone Scholars by the Numbers

Data as of 12/31/25

---

New Incentives Driving Engagement

In November, PA Treasury piloted two new incentives encouraging families to claim their child’s Keystone Scholars accounts. The first initiative was a statewide effort where families who claimed their child’s Keystone Scholars account and opened and linked it to a new PA 529 College and Career Savings account would be eligible for a $50 deposit into their child’s new PA 529 account. In total, more than 5,100 Keystone Scholars accounts were claimed in November, which is nearly four -times the monthly average of claims. Of those families, more than 1,000 opened a new PA 529 account and started their own savings journey.

The second initiative, the Lycoming County Kickstart regional incentive, supported by Miele Manufacturing and in partnership with River Valley Regional YMCA, provided Lycoming County children whose parents claimed their Keystone Scholars account a $50 community bonus deposit into their Keystone Scholars account. Through this initiative, 68 children from Lycoming County are receiving a $50 community bonus deposit. This program demonstrates how local partnerships can have a tremendous effect on helping children build a strong foundation for their future. These collaborations foster trust, create shared responsibility, and inspire families to take proactive steps toward saving for post-high school training and education.

---

Partner Spotlight

The PA Treasury’s partnership with the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) reflects a shared commitment to advancing educational equity and financial empowerment for families across the Commonwealth. Through the WORC–Keystone Scholars Children’s Savings Match Program, families who claim their child’s Keystone Scholars account and open and save in a PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account are eligible for a matching contribution from WORC of up to $200. Combined with PA Treasury’s $100 Keystone Scholars scholarship, this initiative provides families with a potential $300 boost toward their child’s future education.

To qualify for the match, participating families complete a financial education component offered by WORC, which includes sessions designed to strengthen budgeting, saving habits, and long-term planning for education expenses. The first participants have recently received their savings match, marking an exciting milestone for the program. WORC strengthens this effort through financial education workshops and personalized support, ensuring families have the tools to participate fully. With deep roots in Philadelphia’s underserved communities, WORC’s holistic approach makes it an ideal partner in fostering a culture of long-term savings and educational planning among Pennsylvania families.

---

CSAs in the News

Boston Saves provides every Boston Public Schools kindergartner with a $50 seeded savings account and offers families additional rewards for linking accounts and engaging in activities like reading with their child. Similar to Keystone Scholars’ statewide and regional incentives, Boston Saves has recently offered an incentive to families who log in to their child’s Savings Center for the first time. These bonuses and community partnerships help motivate families to claim accounts and build long-term savings habits. These programs show how combining financial incentives with education and engagement strategies can strengthen participation and create a culture of saving for future education.

Read more here.

---

Treasury Outreach Team

PA Treasury is proud to welcome Aizaz Gill as its new Southeast PA Regional Program Relationship Manager. Aizaz brings years of experience in community engagement, public service, and constituent support. He has worked closely with residents, local organizations, and stakeholders to help connect communities with resources and navigate public systems effectively.

Prior to joining PA Treasury, Aizaz spent six years as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Philadelphia City Commissioners’ Office, where he led voter outreach and education initiatives across the city.

Aizaz looks forward to working with partners to help raise awareness of Keystone Scholars accounts and emphasizing the importance of saving for education. If you are in Southeast PA, you can reach Aizaz at agill@patreasury.gov.

PA Treasury has additional outreach staff throughout the Commonwealth to support you at community fairs, educational events, civic meetings and more. To schedule a visit with our outreach team or request event materials, please contact Karen McDermott, Manager of Children's Savings Accounts, at kmcdermott@patreasury.gov.