RUMFORD — Thirty-five parents started college savings plans for their children this week through the NextGen college savings program.

After attending five financial literacy workshops in the past few months, they invested $25 per child, which was matched through a grant from Partnership for Success at the University of Maine at Farmington. The program provides college access and readiness to students in area school districts.

The money goes into the NextGen College Investing Plan, which is administered by the Finance Authority of Maine.

“Kudos to Mountain Valley High School that hugely promoted college accounts,” Dori Fellman, director of Partnership for Success at UMF, said.

FAME representative Jessica Whittier said her organization will add $200 a year for the first three years of each account, provided parents continue to contribute to it.

If a student decides not to attend post-secondary education, the money can be transferred to another family member, such as a sibling, parent or cousin who wants to attend college.

The Partnership for Success grant ends this year, but MVHS Principal Matt Gilbert will continue to look for ways to help get families started on saving for college.

“We’ll pursue students right through the end of their high school careers,” he said.

He asked all students to at least apply to a college and 80 percent did; about 70 percent have been accepted.

Kim Russell said she opened NextGen accounts for all three of her children is RSU 10.

“It’s great and I’m glad it’s been offered. I’m grateful a friend told me about it,” she said as Whittier helped her with the paperwork at the high school.

Sandra Witas, a mother of a 6-year-old and 15-year-old twins, said she is excited that she’ll have at least $650 for each child within three years.

Debbie Buotte opened accounts for two grandchildren, both age 2.

“I want them to have money available for college,” she said.

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