College Savings Month

September is College Savings Month:
Celebrate with us!

In 2003, the United States Congress officially declared September to be College Savings Month, marking this time of year as one meant to encourage all Americans to think about how higher education can help them achieve their dreams.

Learn more about how you can save for higher education, when it is best to start, and the growing list of qualified education expenses you can use your 529 plan for.

College Savings Month is for more than just college

Today’s students know that their higher education options don’t start and end with college. Depending on their interests and resources, a registered apprenticeship, technical college or community college program may deliver their best return on investment today. Higher education can also look like skilling up in a specific area mid-career with additional credentialing, certification programs or even an advanced degree. And if college is the best option for their career aspirations, investing early and often, offsetting costs with classes at community college and graduating in four years or less can all help increase the value of their investment.

Rest assured, you can use your my529 money to help pay for education at eligible educational institutions and even on certain K-12 expenses (up to certain limits). For those not having to make these decisions quite yet, younger students may wish to participate in the my529 Make Your Mark scholarship contest. A little extra money in a my529 account now could add up to a big difference once they are ready to use it!

The case for higher education

In the modern day, it can often seem like going to college isn’t as valuable as it used to be. But did you know? A recent study on the value of higher education found that:

Individuals with degrees are more likely to enjoy greater incomes and greater economic stability.
Completing a postgraduate education means that any future students in your family have a higher chance of finishing their postsecondary degree.
Perhaps the most valuable benefits to take from their continued education, though, is the ability to learn, train and network in their chosen field. College is a context with unparalleled opportunities for internships and research opportunities. The professional connections found at school can be essential to laying the foundation for a long and happy career.

Not sure how to chart out you or your child’s educational journey? Check out The 529 Network’s Roadmap for Their Future!

A special offer for College Savings Month

If you are a Utah resident and open a new my529 account for a beneficiary new to my529 between September 1, 2026, and September 31, 2026, and contribute at least $20 at opening, we’ll add a $20 contribution. Just use the promo code 2026CSM when prompted at opening.

How to get the match

Open a my529 account between September 1, 2026, and September 31, 2026.
Enter promotional code 2026CSM.
Contribute at least $20.
my529 will deposit $20 into your new account.

To qualify, the account owner must be a Utah resident and the beneficiary must be new to my529.

Employees of my529, the Utah Board of Higher Education, the Utah Education Savings Board of Trustees, and their immediate family members are not eligible for this offer.

Enter your promotional code on step four of the account opening process, where you review your information.

Need a refresher?

Head to our official my529 guide or watch this short video
to learn more about 529 plans and my529.

Set up your saving strategy

How much should you save?

Consult our College Savings Estimator to contrast expenses across multiple school categories (in-state vs. out of state, public vs. private) — or even compare specific schools directly once your student has narrowed it down to their favorites. You can customize predictions to include only tuition, or include books, room and board — or even projected personal expenses. Generate your personalized report to keep education savings on track and avoid the potential pitfalls of student loans.