CHARLESTON – Adopted children and their parents have until Sept. 25 to apply for SMART529 college savings plan funds, money raised specifically to benefit the population.

State Treasurer John Perdue’s office is partnering with Frameworks, a division of Mission West Virginia, to raise money. The Treasurer’s Office this past spring generated roughly $8,000 by sponsoring a 5-K run.

“We’re more than happy to help raise money for such a worthy cause,” the Treasurer said. “Statistics show that only a small percentage of adopted children find their way to college. Their fragmented lives growing up make it hard to develop a path to higher education.”

Students and their families may find applications at www.missionwv.org. Those eligible for the award may mail, fax or e-mail completed applications to:

• West Virginia SMART529 Award, 168 Midland Trail, Suite 1, Hurricane, W.Va. 25526. Fax is 304-562-0726. Phone is 866-CALL-MWV. E-mail is rkinder@missionwv.org. Please visit www.missionwv.org or call 866-CALL-MWV (866-225-5698) for more information.
• Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Be a resident of West Virginia
• Be age 12 or younger as of Sept. 25, 2015.
• Have been adopted from the West Virginia foster care system with finalized adoption at time of application.

More application requirements are spelled out at www.missionwv.org.