AllianceBernstein sponsors<br> seminar for advisers, lawyers

PROVIDENCE – Representatives of AllianceBernstein Investments, program manager for the Rhode Island CollegeBoundfund , the 529 college savings plan, sponsored a seminar for financial advisers and attorneys on May 29 as part a national education day on the program, according to a press release.
“The opportunity to share information with financial professionals and attorneys about the state of student loan debt and strategies for getting the most out of 529 college savings plans was extremely meaningful,” said Gail Mance-Rios, acting executive director of the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority, the agency which is the sponsor of the plan.
“It’s difficult for young people to get a good start in life when they graduate from college facing student debt,” Mance-Rios said at the seminar, which was held at the Providence Marriott.
Nationwide, student debt has increased by more than 500 percent since 1999, with the average debt for students at Rhode Island colleges at about $31,000 in 2012, said Mance-Rios.