Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that his office is now accepting applications for nomination to the U.S. Service Academies for the 2015 freshman class. Each year, Congressman Loebsack may nominate up to ten Iowans for each Academy, with the final selection for admission made by the individual Academy.

"As a military parent with children who attended the Naval Academy, this process is very personal to me," said Loebsack. "I look forward to nominating our future leaders and encourage all interested students to apply."

Our nation's Service Academies offer educational opportunities for young people interested in military service. Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Additional information on the selection process can be found on Loebsack's website: www.Loebsack.house.gov. Please contact Jared Mullendore, Loebsack's Academy Coordinator, in his Davenport office at 563-323-5988 with any questions. Jared can also be emailed at Jared.Mullendore@mail.house.gov.

OMAHA, NE (05/20/2014)(readMedia)-- Alexandria Clark of Rock Island, was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the College of Arts and Sciences during Creighton University's commencement ceremony on May 17, 2014, at the CenturyLink Center Omaha. University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., presided. Lannon, a 1973 graduate of the University, is the first alum to serve as president of Creighton. About 1,600 degrees were conferred during Creighton University's spring commencement.

Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., enrolls 4,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic environment with personal attention from faculty-mentors. Jesuit and Catholic, it affords incomparable interprofessional education, bridging health professions programs with law, business and arts and sciences- all on one walkable campus. Creighton has been top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 20 years.

Celebrate 529 Day by registering for a chance to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa Account

DES MOINES, IA (05/20/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to celebrate 529 College Savings Day by registering to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account for a child in their life. "I encourage everyone to register for the giveaway and explore the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones' future higher education expenses," Fitzgerald said. "By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them." For more information about the program and to register for the giveaway, please visit collegesavingsiowa.com before May 31.

Iowa families are encouraged to open a College Savings Iowa account for a special child in their life. May 29, 529 College Savings Day, helps bring attention to the fact that saving for college is one of the most significant things families can do for the children in their lives. Over time, those who begin putting away money early can make their college savings add up to a significant amount.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers have the additional benefit of being able to deduct contributions up to $3,098 per beneficiary account from their 2014 Iowa adjusted gross income.* Investors can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.

. For more information about future giveaways and events find College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

The Belin-Blank Center of The University of Iowa College of Education annually releases the Iowa AP Index to recognize Iowa high schools for providing Advanced Placement opportunities. The 2014 Iowa AP Index is based on May 2013 AP exams and May/June 2013 graduation data. The formula is the number of AP exams given divided by the number of students in the graduating class. A high AP Index is a reflection that a school has a culture that is supportive of and places emphasis on student participation in AP courses and exams.

It's important to note that Magnet schools, Specially Accredited College Preparatory schools (Rivermont Collegiate), non-accredited schools, and home schools are not included in the AP Index Top 50 ranking. This change took effect in 2008. These schools, however, can receive special recognition for their score, as Rivermont has. Furthermore, because all schools are scored using the same formula, the Iowa AP Index provides a fair comparison across all school sizes and types, whether schools are included in the AP Index Top 50 ranking or not.

The following lists 2014 Iowa AP Index scores for Rivermont and local schools placing in the Top 50 ranking.

Rivermont Collegiate - 2.50

Bettendorf High School - 1.40

West High School - 0.81

Central High School - 0.67

North High School - 0.57

Pleasant Valley High School - no score, opted out, or not in top 50