The Pell Grant award chart for the 2011-2012 school year has been released, with the maximum Pell Grant amount for full-time students being set at $5,550. Award charts are also included for 3/4 time, 1/2 time, and less than 1/2 time students.

To check out the full chart, visit the Department of Education website.

More proof that parents are feeling bullish on both college and the economy - Section 529 plan assets continue to grow by leaps and bounds. In fact, for calendar year 2010, total 529 assets grew approximately 11.5% to $157.4 billion.

This most recent report, released by the College Savings Plan Network, also reports that the average 529 account balance grew by nearly 18% since 2009.

The Huffington Post put together a nice slideshow of the colleges with the Return on Investment, based on a recent study by a Payscale.com.

Needless to say, I'm sad to see the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, which is just down the street from my office, on the list!

Check out the slideshow here.

Indiana has launched its new CollegeSure CD, which provides an FDIC-insured savings option for parents in Indiana and elsewhere.

The Indiana CollegeSure CD offers maximum rates of up to 4.95% on CD's with maturities as short as five years.

To learn more and to see current rates / pricing, visit www.collegechoicecd.com.