Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins told Kansas University students on Wednesday that the deeply indebted federal government will never be able to simply pay for their college.

A better plan, she said, is encouraging families to start saving early.

“That’s life lesson No. 1, just save, save, save,” Jenkins said.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins

Jenkins, a Republican representing Kansas’ Second District, met with a small group of KU Student Senate representatives and other students to talk about H.R. 529, her proposal to expand and “modernize” tax-free 529 college savings plans. She co-introduced the legislation, which passed the House earlier this year, with Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind, a Democrat.

Jenkins said she currently has two children in college and that, with room and board, it costs in the ballpark of $20,000 a year to have an undergrad at an in-state school. She said her own family has relied on 529 savings.

Ryan Ott, KU student

“That’s just not a check many of us can write,” she said.

KU student Ryan Ott, a junior from Neoga, Ill., who attended Wednesday’s meeting, said his father started a 529 for him when he was born, and he was glad.

“I have a 529,” Ott said. “I probably wouldn’t be able to afford all the student loans to come to KU if I didn’t.”

Especially with college costs rising, Jenkins said, her legislation aims to make 529 plans better and more attractive for middle class families to use.

Changes to the status quo would include allowing families to purchase their college students’ computers with account funds and allowing refunds — such as those received when a student drops a class — to be redeposited in the accounts within 60 days without tax penalties. The proposal also eliminates certain reporting requirements Jenkins said were no longer needed following a 2001 change in the way taxes are treated.

Since Section 529 was created in 1996, such plans have grown to nearly 12 million accounts nationwide and resulted in college savings of more than $225 billion, according to a news release from Jenkins’ office.

When questioned about federal student loan debt, Jenkins said she did not support the federal government making money off students’ debt. She also said students seeking loans could find better rates at banks and that she supported “letting the market decide” what interest rates should be.

Jenkins also heard from students on topics including effects of the Affordable Care Act on college students and campus sexual assault.