For Immediate Release

April 18, 2008

Calgary family gets jump start on RESP savings

A lucky Calgary family can breathe a sigh of relief as their child’s future education savings costs have now diminished, thanks to a Registered Educational Savings Plan (RESP) prize worth up to $10,000 from Global Educational Marketing Corporation. The money will relieve some financial strain caused by rising Canadian College and University costs.

Calgary resident Janice Wiebe’s ballot was randomly chosen from over 3500 entries. Her 4-year old son Aidan is the lucky recipient of the Global Educational Trust Plan (Global Plan).

“This $10,000 Global Plan will help our family immensely! We do contribute what we can to our children’s RESPs”, said Wiebe.

The Education Savings Plan prize, when registered as a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), allows tax deferred growth for funding a child's post-secondary education. When Aidan begins his eligible studies, the earnings in the Plan can be used to pay for tuition and other expenditures such as books, supplies, and accommodations.

These prices for tuition and other expenses relating to post-secondary studies continue to rise each and every year in Canada. In fact, by the time Aidan is ready to go to university, the cost is expected to reach $110,000 for an average four-year Bachelor of Arts degree.

“Unfortunately, fewer than half of Canadian families are taking advantage of the federal government grants available for their children’s post-secondary education”, said Sam Bouji, Chairman and CEO of Global Educational Marketing Corporation.

The Canada Educations Savings Grant (CESG), and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) can add up to $9,200 in extra savings alone. Furthermore, Alberta is the first provincial government to offer their residents additional financial incentives to save for their children’s education.

Janice and her husband Rob, both long-time Calgary residents, have been married for 20 years and also have a 15-month-old daughter, Nora.
“We definitely want to see both Aidan and Nora attend some sort of post-secondary school in their chosen field. I would like to see my children attend college or university in Alberta, but that choice will be up to them”, said Wiebe.
“Post-secondary education is critical in building a career that is fulfilling and fun, too! I am very lucky to have attended Mount Royal College in Calgary to obtain the education I needed to work in the design field, as their Interior Design program is considered one of the best in the country”, she added.

Wiebe was able to pay for her education costs with inheritance money, but does not want to leave Aidan and Nora’s educational fate up to chance.
“Rob and I wanted to start planning for our children's future as far in advance as possible, we feel it's best to start RESPs when our children are very young”, said Wiebe.
The prize is surely a good start to the Wiebe’s education fund for Aidan.
The Global Plan draw took place on April 9 and is the first of four for 2008, as the Global family of Companies celebrates its tenth anniversary. Additional $10,000 Global Plan draws are being held throughout the year, and parents can get ballots at various trade shows across the country or at www.globalfinancial.ca.

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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