Dear South Carolina: The Future is Bright
April 2, 2026
By State Treasurer Curtis Loftis
As your State Treasurer and a fellow citizen of South Carolina, I am excited to inform you that our state’s future is in excellent hands.
What began as a classroom activity to teach students about the importance of saving quickly turned into a statewide outpouring of creativity, inspiration and thoughtful reflections from South Carolina elementary students.
Last fall, my office invited 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms across the state to participate in the “Dear Mr. Treasurer” financial literacy activity. Sponsored by the Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan, this activity encouraged students to write me a letter explaining why saving money is important to them.
Students who participated in the activity were also eligible to enter a random drawing for a privately funded college savings grant.
I was delighted to receive over 1,400 letters from students describing why saving money matters to them and what they hope to achieve through it. One student shared they were saving for a lawn mower to start a yard care business, another for a family trip, and another to one day open a restaurant. Many others expressed a commitment to saving for college, recognizing the significant cost of higher education. 
After an overwhelming response from teachers and students, more than 400 children were selected to receive a privately-funded $529 college savings grant to help jumpstart their educational savings.
The enthusiastic participation in this activity demonstrates that South Carolina students are eager to learn about money management and the importance of planning ahead.
I was also impressed with how teachers from across our state incorporated the activity into lessons about financial literacy, writing, and goal setting, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world financial concepts.
When students start thinking about saving early, they gain skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives and these letters showed that our students are already thinking about their futures and that’s something worth celebrating.
About Future Scholar
Future Scholar is South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan, administered by the State Treasurer’s Office. With more than $7 billion in assets under management, the plan has helped over 240,000 South Carolinians save for their loved ones’ future education. Future Scholar is self-supported and receives no taxpayer funding.
To learn more, visit FutureScholar.com or follow @SCStateTreasurer on Facebook.
