The By Degrees Foundation has received a gift of $140,000 from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation to expand its 529 Savings Account Program to all students at Harding Middle School in Des Moines. Before Mid-Iowa Health Foundation’s investment, enrollment in the program was only available to Harding students who began their education at Findley Elementary. 529 savings accounts allow families to save money for postsecondary expenses while students are still in school. By Degrees started its program in 2015 and has since invested $300,000 in accounts of Des Moines students. “We know for a fact that saving early can reduce a family’s need to borrow, help reduce debt, and inspire conversations around what comes after high school,” Emily Westergaard, CEO of the By Degrees Foundation, said in a prepared statement. To learn more about By Degrees’ 529 Savings Account program, read this Business Record story.