Acorn Fund

Our Foundation’s mission is to inspire, educate and empower youth in Salem City, New Jersey, and we do that by improving access to educational opportunities. That’s why we’ve launched the Acorn Fund, which invests in college savings accounts for every child living or attending public school in Salem City. Like the acorn that became Salem’s famous 600-year-old oak tree, we expect these investments to be the start families need to grow something great. More than 1,000 local children have already enrolled.

Apply Here

If you have a child living in Salem City or attending a Salem City public school, click below to apply for a free college savings account.

Graduation Bonus

The Graduation Bonus is available to Acorn Fund account holders who graduated from high school. Click below to apply.

Distribution Request

If you are ready to request a distribution from your Acorn Fund savings, click below.

College Retention Fund

If you have been referred to the Foundation’s College Retention Fund, click below to apply for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’d like to learn more about the Acorn Fund, below is a list of answers to frequently asked questions.

If you’d like to speak with our Chief Operating Officer about the Acorn Fund, call Jasmin McMillon at 844-4FORMAN (844-436-7626), ext 102

What is the Acorn Fund?

 

The Acorn Fund is an initiative to create and invest in college savings accounts for Salem City’s youth. Since March of 2016, we have donated $1,625,000 to fund deposits in the Acorn Fund accounts of more than 1,000 children currently living or attending public school in Salem City, New Jersey. We plan to make further investments to continue supporting Salem’s youth for years to come.

 

Why did the Foundation create the Acorn Fund?

 

Research shows that college savings accounts not only help families save money for school, but they also encourage families and children to view college as achievable. We hope this initiative encourages more Salem students to pursue higher education.

 

Who is eligible for an Acorn Fund account?

 

Any child, from birth through 12th grade, who lives in or attends public school in Salem City, New Jersey is eligible. Children living outside of Salem City and attending public school in Salem City may enroll after school begins in September or after their first day of attending public school in Salem City. High school graduates have until June 30th of the year they graduate to apply, after which they are no longer eligible to receive an Acorn Fund account.

 

Who can open an Acorn Fund account?

 

The parent or guardian of any child living in or attending public school in Salem City may apply to have an Acorn Fund account opened for their child. Current high school students who are 18 or older may apply for an Acorn Fund account on their own.

 

Where can I get assistance to open my child's Acorn Fund account?

 

If you need assistance with the application or have questions, please contact the Acorn Fund Enrollment Manager, Jasmin McMillon.

Phone: 844-4FORMAN (844-436-7626) EXT 102 or 856-839-6736.

Email: Jasmin@formanscholars.org.

In Person: 205 East Broadway, Salem, New Jersey.

 

How do I make a change to the information on my child's account?

 

If you move, change your telephone number or email address, or if any other information needs to be updated, please contact the Acorn Fund Enrollment Manager, Jasmin McMillon.

Phone: 844-4FORMAN (844-436-7626) EXT 102 or 856-839-6736.

Email: Jasmin@formanscholars.org.

In Person: 205 East Broadway, Salem, New Jersey.

 

How much money will be invested for my child?


 

The Acorn Fund savings account opening deposits range from $50 - $1000 and are based on the child's age or grade. The table below details the amount of the opening deposit.

Pre-K / 0 - 2 years old: $500 Pre-K / 3 - 4 years old: $500 5 years old: $500
6 years old: $500 7 years old: $500 8 years old: $500
9 years old: $500 10 years old: $500 11 years old: $500
12 years old: $500 13 years old: $500 14 years old: $1,000
15 years old: $1,000 16 years old: $1,000 17-18 years old: $1,000

Note: High school graduates have until June 30th of the year they graduate to apply, after which they are no longer eligible to receive an Acorn Fund account.

 

Will there be additional investments into my child’s account?

 

The Foundation plans to make additional contributions into the Acorn Fund accounts during the years prior to the account holder graduating from high school. Since March 2017, the Foundation has continued to make additional annual contributions into all eligible Acorn Fund accounts. In March 2023, the Foundation plans to make another contribution to all eligible Acorn Fund accounts that are opened by December 31, 2022.

 

What happens to the account if I move away from Salem City before my child goes to college?

 

If you move away from Salem your child's account will not be eligible to receive additional contributions. The account will remain open and when your child attends college they will be able to access the funds following graduation from high school.

 

Who controls the account?


 

The Community Foundation of South Jersey is the account owner. Your child is technically a “provisional beneficiary” of the account, who is eligible to receive the funds from the account only for use at an eligible institution of higher education within the time determined by the Foundation. If you or your child does not request funds for payment of qualified higher education expenses by the time the child turns 30, the account will be closed and the funds used to fund an Acorn Fund account for another child.

 

How can my child use the money in the Acorn Fund account?


 

The funds in the account may be used to pay for qualified higher education expenses, which includes tuition and fees, as well as room and board if you are attending college more than half time. The funds can be used at any college that is eligible to participate in the federal student financial assistance programs. That includes most colleges, universities, community colleges and post-secondary vocational schools in the United States, as well as many colleges located outside of the United States. Most programs at those colleges are eligible. The funds will become available for use following your child's graduation from high school.

 

Where is the money in the Acorn Fund account invested?

 

The funds are invested in the NJBEST 529 Plan. The funds are invested in the moderate-age-based portfolio. The portfolio is composed of several different mutual funds. The investments in the portfolio will take less risk of losses as your child gets closer to when the funds will be used to pay for college. The funds may have investment gains or losses over time.

 

How will I know how much money is in the account?

 

You will receive a detailed account statement in the mail four times a year — January, April, July and October from Franklin Templeton, the NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan Program Manager. If you are not receiving quarterly statements, please let us know.

 

Why is there more or less money in the account than when it was opened?

 

The funds in the account are invested primarily in mutual funds. As the value of the investments change, so will the value of your account.

 

What happens if my child does not pursue education beyond high school?

 

The Acorn Fund account will remain available until your child turns 30. If your child does not use the funds before turning 30, the Acorn Fund account in their name will be closed and the funds returned to the Community Foundation of South Jersey to be used to open an account for another student.

 

How do I access the money to pay for my child's college education?

 

To use the fund to pay for college, you must complete a Distribution Request, which will require the student's social security number. The distribution request will be submitted to Franklin Templeton, the NJBEST College Savings Plan Program Manager, which will distribute the funds directly to the student's college. Funds will not be sent to any individual. Learn more here.

 

When can I access the money to pay for college?

 

High school graduates may request a withdrawal of Acorn Funds for use at a qualified higher education institution after graduating from high school. Learn more here.

 

How should I report this on my taxes?

 

After funds are distributed to a college, the student will receive a Form 1099-Q, which reports on the distribution of funds from a 529 college savings account.

 

Will using these funds affect my Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility?

 

No. The funds will technically belong to the Community Foundation of South Jersey, and they then will be distributed directly to the college in the name of the student. So, they will never be an asset of the parent or the child during the years the account is open.

 

Will using these funds affect my child’s eligibility for financial aid?

 

The funds distributed may be treated as income to the student and thus may cause a reduction in financial aid. If the distribution is taken later in the child’s college career, the impact will be less.

 

Are there any other terms and conditions for the Acorn Fund?

 

Yes, click HERE to view the full terms and conditions.

 

These FAQs were last updated on May 10, 2021.  The Acorn Fund rules may be modified at any time at the discretion of the Forman Acton Foundation or the Community Foundation of South Jersey.