As we near the end of college graduation season State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is encouraging New Yorkers who will soon face college expenses to open a 529 College Savings account open a 529 College Savings account to start saving now.

DiNapoli says parents, friends and family members can use New York’s 529 College Savings Program to start saving early for an education and lower their tax burden at the same time.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York says in 2015 the nationwide average student loan balance is $29,700 and New Yorkers owe an average of $32,200.

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