About the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
Programs for Illinois Families and Students
The Student Empowerment Fund is a $1.5 billion impact investment fund that provides Illinois residents with accessible, lower-interest private student loans. It is part of a suite of programs offered through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, including Bright Start 529 College Savings and Bright Directions, that seeks to make higher education more affordable for all. Through partnerships with private lenders, our office is committed to helping Illinoisans achieve their financial and educational goals.
Meet Treasurer Michael Frerichs
As the first in his family to attend college, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs understands the importance of making higher education more affordable and accessible. Since taking office in 2016, he has made significant strides in helping Illinois families save for their children’s future.
He has made changes to Illinois’ Bright Start 529 College Savings program, including reducing fees and expanding investment options. These changes have transformed the program from one of the worst in the nation to one of the best, and for five consecutive years, independent analyst Morningstar has awarded Bright Start its top Gold rating.
In addition to helping Illinoisans save for college, Treasurer Frerichs has worked to increase financial education among all ages, remove barriers to a secure retirement, and reunite Illinois residents with their unclaimed property. Under his leadership, Illinois also leads a bipartisan multi-state alliance that allows people with disabilities to save for qualified expenses without jeopardizing their federal benefits.