Managing the cost of college with 529 plans

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College isn’t getting any cheaper, and saving for it can feel overwhelming. A 529 plan offers a tax-advantaged way to set aside money for education and ease the financial load over time.

A 529 plan allows the owner (usually a parent) to contribute money to a tax-advantaged investment account to pay for a child’s education. Any growth in your portfolio and withdrawals are tax free at the federal level if used for qualified education expenses at an eligible institution. In most cases, earnings and withdrawals are also exempt from state income tax.

Two types of 529 plans are available: college savings and prepaid tuition.

Although the federal government authorizes these plans, they are generally administered by the states. Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have at least one 529 savings plan (Wyoming doesn’t offer one, but its residents can participate in Colorado’s plan under the same terms as Colorado residents), while nine states offer prepaid college tuition plans.

With a 529 savings plan, owners can choose from investment options offered by the plan that reflect their risk tolerance and investment time horizon. The mix of investment options often includes those found in retirement accounts, such as stock or bond funds, money market accounts, and more. Some states also offer target-date funds, which—like retirement accounts—allow you to time your investment horizon to a point when you believe you’ll need the money.

As with any savings goal, the reason for setting aside money each month and minding your investments through the years is so that you can eventually spend the money. But unlike funds tucked away in a retirement account, money stashed in a 529 plan can’t be spent on just anything. And the IRS decides what constitutes a qualified education expense, including:

Some examples of ineligible expenses are transportation to and from school, insurance, and school-affiliated club memberships.

If an accredited institution accepts financial aid, it’s a good bet that it’s eligible to receive 529 funds. For those considering studying abroad, hundreds of schools outside of the United States also qualify.

You might have to pull an all-nighter to decide on a savings plan. Because you can invest in plans beyond those offered by your home state, you potentially have dozens to choose from without limiting school choice.

Most buyers do ultimately purchase an in-state 529 plan, because most states offer residents certain perks for doing so. More than 30 states provide some level of state tax deduction or credit for contributions made to a 529 plan. Matching gifts may be available as well.

But there are instances where you may be better off with an out-of-state plan. For example, if you live in a state with no income tax and therefore no tax incentives, it might pay to shop around nationally for a plan that might have lower fees or other potential advantages for out-of-state buyers.

When you’ve found the right plan, you can buy it directly from the state, or partner with a financial advisor who’s familiar with 529 savings plans. (Keep in mind that you’ll pay fees for the assistance.)

The less common 529 prepaid tuition plan allows you to lock in today’s college tuition rates for future attendance, erasing tuition inflation. Most states guarantee the value of their plans, another feature that makes these plans appealing—in contrast to savings plans, which can lose money based on investment performance.

Also available is the private college 529 plan, which allows you to prepay tuition at nearly 300 private colleges in the same way that state-sponsored plans allow you to prepay tuition at state-supported schools. Some states, such as Arizona and Pennsylvania, also allow state income tax deductions for contributions to a private college 529 plan.

Although they have similar tax advantages to the savings plans, prepaid tuition plans have some drawbacks:

Over the years, 529 plans have evolved to offer more flexibility for families saving for education.

The 2019 SECURE Act expanded 529 plan use by allowing funds to cover registered apprenticeship programs. It also permitted withdrawals of up to $10,000 to pay off qualified student loans for the account beneficiary and their siblings.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law in July 2025, further enhanced the flexibility of 529 plans. It increased the annual limit for K-12 education withdrawals to $20,000 and broadened eligible expenses to include workforce training programs, certification courses, and continuing education.

The law also preserved a rule from the SECURE 2.0 Act, enacted in 2024, that allowed up to $35,000 to be rolled over into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, should all of the money in a 529 account not be needed. Unused funds can result from receiving a scholarship, choosing a less expensive school, or forgoing college altogether.

Even with the new Roth IRA rollover option, you may, for various reasons, end up with money in your 529 account after your child graduates. You can easily change the beneficiary to another qualifying family member (including yourself).

If that’s not possible, you can withdraw the money, but you’ll normally pay taxes on your investment earnings plus a 10% penalty (although there are circumstances that allow the penalty to be waived).

Students with access to savings are more likely to attend college, graduate, and be less reliant on student loans. By purchasing either a 529 savings plan or a 529 prepaid tuition plan, you’ll see your earnings grow tax free and can make tax-free withdrawals if the funds are used for eligible expenses at a participating school.

Many states offer substantial tax savings to 529 plan contributors. Do your homework when choosing a plan to brush up on the incentives, requirements, and limitations, and be on your way to making college more affordable.