Viewpoints about 529 Plans
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How to compare financial aid packages
Congratulations! Your child is headed off to college. The acceptance letters are in—and so are the financial aid packages. Now comes the tough part: How do you know exactly how much each school is going to cost?
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College planning at a crossroads? How to help manage market volatility
Thinking of tapping the brakes on your financial plans—particularly any long-term planning, such as college savings—due to the market volatility around the coronavirus? There are three reasons why it makes sense to keep contributing to your child’s (or grandchild’s) 529 plan.
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A SECURE way to pay down student loans
The SECURE Act now allows 529 college savings plan account holders to withdraw up to $10,000 tax free for payments toward the qualified education loans of the account’s beneficiary and siblings. The Act also allows students who are pursuing an apprenticeship to use 529 plan distributions tax free.
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Academic planning: how to help your child graduate in 4 years
When saving for their child’s future in a 529 college savings plan or other account, most parents plan on a typical undergraduate education of four years. However, less than half of all freshman graduate in that time. So how can you help ensure that your child will graduate—and do it in four years?
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Using a 529 plan as an estate planning tool
A 529 college savings plan isn’t just a good investment for your beneficiary’s future, it can also be used as an estate planning tool for you.
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3 reasons why it’s smart to gift to a 529 college savings plan
Looking for the right gift for somebody special? Consider giving to a loved one's 529 college savings plan. In addition to helping someone you care about reach their educational goals, there are benefits for you too.
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Looking for scholarships? 4 tips to help your search
Your child doesn’t have to be an elite athlete or class valedictorian to earn a college scholarship. There are millions of opportunities available. Here are four tips to help you and your child navigate the process.
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Understanding financial aid for college
Do you think you make too much money for your child to receive financial aid? You probably don’t. Over 60% of families earning more than $100,000 a year received financial aid.
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Budgeting for the hidden costs of college
When the time comes to plan for your child’s college education, there are a number of expenses that are more or less predictable. But there are many more hidden costs that are harder to plan for.
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What you can—and can't—pay for with your 529 college savings plan account
One of the key benefits of a 529 college savings plan is that all distributions used to pay for qualified education expenses are federal tax free.1 Have questions about what is and isn’t a qualified education expense? You’re not alone. Here’s a basic primer on common expenses.
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