For Immediate Release
February 23, 2009

Global Plan helps make one child's dream a reality

Education is a valuable asset, but it is also an expensive one.

It can cost tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and other fees and saving ahead may not always be easy. For a family with five children, preparing for the escalating cost of higher education can be especially tough.

Cathy Lam has four siblings and although she is the first to graduate from university, she won't be the last to experience the value of a good education. Her 14-year-old sister, Marise, will have an opportunity to follow in her footsteps thanks to a Global Plan worth up to $10,000.

“I am so happy for my sister. Her dream is to go to theatre school and the amazing help from Global is just what our family needs, said 28-year-old Cathy Lam of Quebec .

Late last year, Lam completed a contest ballot for a chance to win a Global Plan, a registered education savings plan worth up to $10,000. The Plan can be used to pay for tuition and other expenditures such as books, supplies and accommodations. And since Marise is next in line to pursue post-secondary education, Lam completed a ballot naming her sister as the beneficiary.

Registered education savings plans (RESPs) are not new to Canadians. They have been available to families for over 40 years, but have become more popular since 1998, when the federal government introduced the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG).

Over the past several years, a number of legislation changes have made the plans even more attractive to parents. With the high cost of post- secondary education and the enormous burden placed on some students facing debt after they graduate - it is not surprising that RESPs are becoming the preferred tax-free savings vehicle for many families.

Higher learning is a life-long investment – it creates opportunities and opens doors even in an economic downturn.

“Even in a faltering economy, we need to keep our focus on education and learning,” says Sam Bouji , Chairman and CEO of Global Educational Marketing Corporation.

“We are in a situation where many people are nervous about their job security. Typically only those with post-secondary education are in a position to be looking at other options,” adds Bouji.

This proves true for Lam who, in addition to her degree, is currently enrolled in continuing education courses in Human Resources. She points out that higher learning gives her a competitive edge and it creates a stronger relationship with her employer because there is a mutual impulse for development.

“Education is a turning point in your life – you have the opportunity to substantially earn more and live better,” concludes Lam.

Perhaps there is no better time like the present to remind us that higher education is indeed our best hope for retooling the workforce and creating new jobs.

The Global Plan, when registered as an RESP, allows tax sheltered growth for funding a child's post-secondary education. Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) can add up to $9,200 in extra savings. In the event the named beneficiary does not attend a post-secondary institution, the money can either be transferred to another beneficiary or into an RRSP account.

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Cathy Lam and Marise Lam (right), the Global Plan Winner

Media inquiries, please contact:

Maja Begovic or Rudy Bartolome
Marketing and Communications
Global family of companies
Tel: (416) 741-7377 ext. 3501
Fax: (416) 741-8987
Email: media@globalfinancial.ca