Savings plan is worth $1 billion

The Utah Educational Savings Plan, Utah's 529 college savings plan, is now worth more than $1 billion.

UESP officials announced Friday that the plan has grown by 11 percent since January 2005. In that time, the plan has received more than $119 million in new contributions and over 5,000 new accounts, bringing the total to over 58,000 accounts.

UESP is known nationally for its low fees and "sensible" investment options. By 2023, the cost of four years at a public college is expected to more than double to $80,000.

UESP's announcement comes on the heels of 3rd District Judge Leslie Lewis finding fired UESP director Dale Hatch, 55, guilty of stealing from the fund.