Past articles
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Have you checked out the my529 video library?
If you’re looking for a quick and easy resource to learn more about my529, the my529 video library can provide the information you need to plan for education expenses and make decisions about saving for the future. Topics cover all the ins and outs of 529s, including what a my529 plan is; exploring investment options;…
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Class is always in session when it comes to financial literacy
August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day, which serves as a wonderful reminder that much of what children learn about money is picked up at home, not at school. Discussing money at an early age sets children on a path for future financial confidencethat can yield a lifetime of benefits. You can find ideas for every…
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30 years of serving you!
Since 1996, my529’s flexible and tax-advantaged investment accounts have helped families save for higher education. A lot has changed over those years — today, 529 plans don’t just serve the needs of higher education students; expenses for certain apprenticeships and post-secondary credentials, trade schools, and K-12 education are also eligible. Account owners can even use…
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my529 reduces Admin Fee for every investment option
my529 has reduced the Administrative Asset Fee by one basis point for all investment options, effective July 1, 2026. The fee reduction will benefit all my529 accounts. Based on current assets in my529 investment options, collective savings for my529 account owners in the coming year are estimated to be about $3.2 million. This is additional…
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A look at my529’s journey
Click image to view in full resolution. my529 Standard – Summer 2026 30 years of serving you! my529 reduces Admin Fee for every investment option Take a look back at my529’s journey Check out the newest addition to our my529 video library Review your account balance
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New addition to our video library
Discover the latest addition to the my529 video library! Our new video showcases the tools and features available to my529 account owners. Check out the rest of our videos in our video library and on our YouTube channel! my529 Standard – Summer 2026 30 years of serving you! my529 reduces Admin Fee for every investment…
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Review your account balance
As part of my529’s annual audit, Eide Bailly LLP would like to verify account balances at my529. If you think the balances shown on your June 30, 2026, my529 quarterly account statement are incorrect, please contact our auditors promptly. Gabby Luque, Audit Senior Associate Eide Bailly LLP 5 Triad Center, Suite 600 Salt Lake City,…
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my529 reduces Admin Fee for every investment option
my529 is reducing the Administrative Asset Fee by one basis point for all investment options, effective July 1, 2026. The fee reduction will benefit all my529 accounts. Based on current assets in my529 investment options, collective savings for my529 account owners in the coming year are estimated to be about $3.2 million. This is additional…
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Student heading back to school? Here is how you can make a my529 withdrawal
Now is the perfect time to consider preparing for withdrawals from your 529 plan. Whether you have a child heading off to college or are planning to use the funds for other qualified education expenses, you can:
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If you put money in a my529 account, what can you spend it on?
Pay for pencils. Pay for books. Pay for the ramen your student cooks? A 529 plan is an investment vehicle designed to save specifically for qualified educational expenses. my529, Utah’s official state plan, offers certain tax advantages when funds are used for those expenses, and penalties when used for anything else. Then what is a…
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my529 is celebrating its 30th anniversary!
Since 1996, my529’s flexible and tax-advantaged investment accounts have been helping families save for higher education. Now, expenses for many post-secondary credentials, trade schools and K-12 education are eligible. Account owners can even kick-start their beneficiary’s retirement investments by rolling funds into a Roth IRA, subject to certain restrictions. With so many ways to use…
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Summer just started — here’s why you should be thinking about fall withdrawals
School is out for the summer, grills are fired up for barbecue season and summer vacations are in full swing. As you shop for hot dogs and sunscreen, you will likely notice that school supplies are already creeping back into stores. As a parent, it feels like we never really get a break from thinking…
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Summer saving strategies for your my529 account
Summer is almost here, and with the change of season comes new opportunities to help you hit your savings goals. Our hats off to the graduates! Rather than checks or cash getting lost in the shuffle, gifts from relatives and family friends can be sent directly to the graduate’s my529 account through the my529 gift…
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Graduation gifting with my529
A gift that keeps giving into the future Spring means high school graduations, elementary and middle school promotions, and an opportunity to mark another milestone in your child’s education. As you look to acknowledge their success, there is no better way to celebrate than by investing in your student’s future. The my529 Gift Program makes…
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How can ‘extra’ 529 funds be used
Money in 529 accounts can be used for any qualified education expense, such as tuition, room and board (as long as the student is enrolled at least half time), books, computers, internet access, registered apprenticeships, and even K-12 expenses (up to certain limits). What if your student graduates with some money left over? No problem!…
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Personalized portals offer a unique gift experience
Spring means high school graduations, elementary and middle school promotions and all manner of other ways to mark another milestone in your child’s education. As you look to acknowledge their success, there is no better way to celebrate than by investing in your student’s future. Don’t forget to invite family and friends to join the…
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Expenses drop for several Customized funds
Account owners invested in certain my529 Customized single-fund portfolios recently saw a drop in underlying fund expenses, thanks to investment fee reductions by Vanguard and Dimensional earlier this year. Vanguard lowered the expenses for 11 underlying funds used in the my529 Customized investment options, effective February 2, 2026. The estimated collective annual savings of my529…
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New additions to Customized fund offerings
my529 added two new single-fund fixed-income portfolios with underlying Dimensional investments, effective March 25, 2026. The portfolios are available within the Customized investment offerings to account owners who design their own Customized investment allocations or who work with an investment advisor. my529 continuously evaluates the plan’s investment lineup. These additions expand the intermediate duration fund…
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A new podcast from my529
Coming soon!
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Making the grade for financial literacy
Learning about money at an early age sets children on a path for future financial wellness. A 2018 study by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) found that financial literacy in America is declining. Financial Literacy Month in April is a great opportunity to help your family increase their fiscal knowledge. Here are a few…
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New Dimensional underlying funds
Do you have clients invested in a my529 Customized option? If you do, you should know that my529 has added two new single-fund fixed-income portfolios with underlying Dimensional investments, effective March 25, 2026. As part of a continuous evaluation of the plan’s fund lineup, my529 decided to expand the intermediate duration fund offerings with two…
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Expenses drop for several underlying funds
It’s now less expensive for your clients who hold certain my529 portfolios, thanks to recent operating expense ratio reductions by Vanguard and Dimensional. Vanguard lowered the expenses for 11 underlying funds used in the my529 Customized investment options, effective February 2, 2026. The estimated collective annual savings of my529 account owners invested in these funds…
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my529 adds FinDash to back-office advisor solutions
The my529 Relationship Management Team is pleased to announce the integration of FinDash as a back-office provider. If your firm already uses FinDash, my529 now supports the platform among our robust list of back-office providers. You can link to FinDash through the advisor portal. For detailed steps, view our data provider selection guide here. About…
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Guiding your clients to reduce higher education costs
Higher education benefits can extend beyond monetary earnings — but they also require significant investments of time and money. Your Advisor Relationship Management Team at my529 has prepared some suggestions you may use to help your clients extend their savings as their student nears graduation from high school. Consider encouraging clients to include their student in…
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Does your client qualify for a state tax benefit for their my529 contributions?
With tax season here, you may want to educate your clients about potential state income tax deductions or credits available for 529 contributions. All 529 plans offer federal tax benefits but what about potential state income taxes? Twenty-eight out of 50 states offer tax incentives for contributions made to their own 529 plans in the…
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We are presentable!
Is your firm looking for a virtual or in-person seminar that is CFP-certified for Continuing Education credits? Our financial services team offers presentations that we can customize to your firm; topics include overviews of 529 plans and trends in the industry and helping clients optimize their investment strategy. Visit our site to book and learn…
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National Apprenticeship Week: Celebrate an ‘America at work’ by learning about registered apprenticeships
National Apprenticeship Week (April 26 through May 2) is an excellent opportunity to recognize the myriad of pathways to success that apprenticeships provide. From healthcare to technology to creative arts, you can utilize your my529 savings plan to support your child’s journey into any of a long list of rewarding career fields. Apprenticeships offer a…
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my529 accounts help cover unexpected school costs
Rising expenses can make it tough for students to budget for the future. Luckily, my529 accounts can be used to cover many qualifying essentials including internet, computers, books, fees and supplies. For parents with younger students, K-12 expenses, like testing fees or some tutoring, can qualify as well — with a new higher annual limit…
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Updated my529 Program Description available now
my529 issued a new Program Description dated March 25, 2026. You can read and download the document at my529.org here, or at my529.org by clicking on the Program Description link under “Learn” in the right-hand side menu. Changes and updates to the plan include: my529 periodically issues revised editions of the Program Description and inform…
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my529 is here to help you save for and benefit from higher education
Higher education benefits can extend beyond monetary earnings — but they also require significant investments of time and money. Here in Utah, tuition is lower than the national average; however, costs can still add up quickly when you include housing. You may already know the importance of applying for scholarships and that every dollar saved now means money…
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Plant your college savings this spring
Are your investments on track to meet your goals to pay for higher education? The my529 College Savings Estimator is a free and easy tool to customize your savings scenario to predict and compare costs among various higher education options. With the my529 College Savings Estimator you can explore: After calculating, you can decide how best to…
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Did you know that my529 helps to run charitable Children Savings Account programs?
my529 has created over 12,000 CSA accounts with nonprofit, government and education organizations headquartered in more than 15 states. These education-focused savings programs set aside money for children’s future education needs. The my529 CSA team also hosts the Olene S. Walker Transition to Adult Living (TAL) Scholarship, which provides scholarships for youths transitioning out of…
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Cutting costs amidst rising tuition
Higher education benefits can extend beyond monetary earnings — but they also require significant investments of time and money. Here in Utah, tuition is far less than the national average; however, we experience higher room and board, so costs can still add up quickly. You already know the importance of applying for scholarships and that…
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Take a look back at my529’s 2025!
Click to view a screen-reader-accessible version of this graphic. my529 Standard – Winter 2026 Take a look back at my529’s 2025! my529 strikes Gold in 2025 Cutting costs amidst rising tuition Fee reduced for Customized investment options 2025 tax documents landing in an inbox near you
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my529’s 2025 recap, text version
As of December 31, 2025, there were: $29.4 billion assets under management by my529. 624,840 my529 accounts. $338.3 million in electronic payments sent directly to schools. We also received the top rating from Morningstar for the fifteenth year in a row. The schools in Utah that received the most funds were: The schools that received…
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my529 strikes Gold in 2025
my529 has once again been named one of the best 529 plans in the country, earning top honors from Morningstar for the 15th consecutive year — a distinction no other 529 plan can claim. In Morningstar’s annual report, released November 10, 2025, Utah’s educational savings plan was named one of five plans nationwide to receive…
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Cutting costs amidst rising tuition
Higher education benefits can extend beyond monetary earnings — but they also require significant investments of time and money. Here in Utah, tuition is far less than the national average; however, we experience higher room and board, so costs can still add up quickly. You already know the importance of applying for scholarships and that…
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Fee reduced for Customized investment options
my529 decreased the Administrative Asset Fee for Customized Age-Based and Customized Static investment options by two basis points (0.02%). Effective January 1, 2026, the fee reduction, from 0.110% to 0.090% (or $0.90 per $1,000 invested annually), will benefit around 19% of my529 accounts. Based on current estimates, cumulative savings in the coming year for account…
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2025 tax documents landing in an inbox near you
Federal Income Tax Return If you withdrew funds or rolled over money from your 529 account in 2025, you will receive IRS Form 1099-Q by January 31, 2026 in your mailbox or in your inbox if you have opted in to our paperless program. This form summarizes total withdrawals without differentiating between qualified and nonqualified…
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The new my529 incentiFive Program can help kickstart your newborn’s education savings
incentiFive is designed to help Utah families get an early start on an education savings habit. Here’s how it works: The family contributes at least $100 every year for the first five years to their child’s my529 account. In return, my529 will contribute $100 annually for the first four years and $529 in the fifth…
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my529 earns top industry rating for 15th consecutive year
This fall, my529, Utah’s 529 educational savings plan, was once again named as one of the top 529 plans in the country, a distinction the plan has earned for 15 consecutive years. This accomplishment is unrivaled by any other 529 plan and reinforces my529’s longstanding status as one of the best in the industry —…
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2025 year-end tax credit and deadline info
2025 tax year deadlines Contributions must be received at my529 by the following transaction deadlines to qualify for the 2025 tax year. Any transactions received by my529 after these year-end deadlines will count toward the 2026 tax year. You can send forms (some are DocuSign eligible) to info@my529.org. Transaction Online Process Deadline1 Manual Process Deadline2…
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Qualified education expenses expand with recent legislation
Recent legislation offers your clients more possibilities for their 529 funds. H.R. 1 was passed by the 119th Congress and signed into law on July 4, 2025, and includes provisions that impact 529 plans. K-12 expenses H.R. 1 (119th Congress) expanded the definition of qualified education expenses for K-12 education to include books, materials, testing…
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my529 expands Docusign acceptance policy
You gave us your feedback, and we heard you! my529 now accepts Docusign signatures that have been phone authenticated (via SMS text message or phone call) as an alternative to our existing knowledge-based authentication. This helps you, our advisors, streamline obtaining signatures from clients on my529 paperwork. my529 does not initiate the Docusign envelopes —…
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Using my529’s College Savings Estimator to encourage saving early and often
Go beyond the basics of how the College Savings Estimator can help anticipate school costs. Today, let’s explore how this powerful tool can assist you in tailoring answers to your clients’ unique higher education questions as well as helping them prioritize saving for higher education among their other long-term financial goals. The estimator calculates costs…
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Meet the team!
We’ve been busy this fall! The my529 team traveled around the nation to spread knowledge of the importance of 529 plans. Before leaving Utah, we visited with Garrett and their 2025 Planning Network. We met with their members and attended their skill workshops. Next, we headed east to North Carolina to meet with Dimensional…
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Follow us on LinkedIn!
Do you follow us @my529 on LinkedIn? Our weekly content is designed to be shared with YOUR clients — help us in helping them with their my529 accounts and questions via a simple click of the “share post” button. Reminder: Review our 2025 year-end deadlines for important dates for your clients. Transaction deadlines are crucial…
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2025 year-end tax credit and deadline info
Tax credit details Depending on their tax-filing status, Utah taxpayers can claim a 4.5% tax credit or deduction up to a certain limit per qualified beneficiary for contributions to their my529 account. (The Utah tax credit received is equal to your contribution amount, up to a certain limit, multiplied by 0.045.) Tax Filer Maximum Allowable…
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New ways to use your my529 funds for K-12 expenses
Parents, rejoice: You now have the flexibility to use my529 funds for your student’s education costs beyond just tuition at public, private or religious elementary or secondary school. Funds can also go toward curriculum, books, fees for certain tests, and tutoring or dual enrollment (subject to certain requirements). Even better, the annual limit for all…
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Help kids make saving a habit
Car payments. Insurance. Gas. Clothes. School activities. Sports. Dates. The list goes on. Often when teenagers are learning to manage their first paychecks, the priority is spending. Part-time jobs offer an ideal opportunity to expand your teenager’s view by reminding them about the importance and advantages of saving. my529 encourages you to consider starting or…
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my529 earns top industry rating for 15th consecutive year
Utah’s educational savings plan receives Gold rating for 2025 (Salt Lake City) my529, Utah’s 529 educational savings plan, has once again been named as one of the top 529 plans in the country, a distinction the plan has earned for 15 consecutive years. This is an accomplishment no other 529 plan can claim. In its…
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Did you know that a my529 account can help reduce your tax bill?
my529 contributions made in 2025 enable you to claim a 4.5% Utah state income tax credit per qualified beneficiary (up to $2,490 for single-filers and $4,980 if you are married filing jointly). Even better, if someone else contributes to your my529 account, you still receive the tax credit. If you are a Utah taxpayer and…
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Give a meaningful gift
After the long days of summer, suddenly it feels as if autumn appeared overnight. It is with this same swiftness that seasonal items on store shelves change and advertising turns its attention to one thing: holiday gifts. This holiday season, you might be searching for a way to avoid adding one more video game to…
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Will your presents be remembered five years from now?
Skip the lines and choose memorable and worthwhile gifts for the children in your life, like quality time together and investments in their education. The my529 Gift Program can help make your holiday season easier and potentially offer loved ones decades of benefits thanks to access to education. Explore more ways to share your presence,…
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What’s in a degree? Exploring the value of a college education
Over recent decades, there has been no shortage of ink spilled in the debate over the value of higher education. You’ve likely heard the arguments on either side; it’s possible you have a strong opinion yourself. But for today, let’s get back to the basics and explore the underpinnings of why we think college is…
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Qualified education expenses expand with recent legislation
There are now more ways to use your 529 funds, thanks to recent legislation. H.R. 1 was passed by the 119th Congress and signed into law on July 4, 2025, and included provisions that impact 529 plans. K-12 expenses H.R. 1 expanded the definition of qualified education expenses for K-12 education to include books, materials,…
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Fall is the most popular season for birthdays. Looking for a gift idea?
As the leaves begin to change and the air turns cool and crisp, fall brings with it not only a beautiful shift in seasons but also a spike in birth rates. September is known for having one of the highest birth rates of the year. In fact, out of the top 10 most common birth…
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How can ‘extra’ 529 funds be used?
Money in 529 accounts can be used for any qualified education expense, such as tuition, room and board (as long as the student is enrolled at least half time), books, computers, internet access, registered apprenticeships, and even K-12 tuition (up to certain limits). What if your student graduates with some money left over? No problem! You…
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2025 Utah state tax benefits details
Depending on their tax-filing status, Utah taxpayers can claim a 4.5% tax credit or deduction up to a certain limit per qualified beneficiary for contributions to their my529 account. (The Utah tax credit received is equal to your contribution amount, up to a certain limit, multiplied by 0.045.) See table below for specific information. Tax…
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Additional notices and info
For more information about FAFSA, see our dedicated FAFSA info and FAQ page. my529 Standard – Fall 2025 Qualified education expenses expand with recent legislation Fall is the most popular season for birthdays — looking for a gift idea? How can ‘extra’ 529 funds be used? 2025 Utah state tax benefits information Additional notices and…
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Nothing beats quality time with loved ones, but gifts to a my529 account aren’t far behind!
As the leaves change, the air turns cool and crisp, and the festive season approaches, you may feel like you are running out of gift ideas. Shall we consider: Do the children in your life really need another toy, especially when Santa gets credit for their top requests, leaving you to hunt down their perfect,…
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Scary 101: Colleges offer spooky studies
Perhaps the most horrifying class you ever encountered began with an instructor announcing “public speaking will be required of all participants.” Just the thought might send a chill down your spine that rivals any past Halloween fright. But if a public speaking class isn’t scary enough for you during this season of fright, check out…
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Need help with paying for college or technical school? Look no further than FAFSA
Have you ever wished you could get help paying for two-year technical training or a four-year college degree? There is a program to do just that — and it’s free to apply. It’s called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as FAFSA. FAFSA is a nationwide program that assesses your financial…
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Additional credentialing programs, certifications and continuing education now qualify for my529 funds
Whether you are pondering a career change via a specialized program, studying for a certification, or wanting to skill-up for a promotion or raise, recent legislation offers new ways to use your my529 funds to expand your career opportunities. For example, students can now withdraw from their my529 investments for certain flight programs while acquiring…
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More ways to use 529 funds for K-12 expenses
K-12 parents, rejoice: If you’ve ever wished you could use 529 funds for your student’s education costs besides tuition, you now have that flexibility. Previously, money saved in a 529 account could only be utilized for K-12 tuition expenses. Recent federal legislation, however, has expanded qualified education expenses for K-12 attendance or enrollment at a…
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my529 – From humble beginnings to national honors
Explore the history of my529 and how it grew to serve over 600,000 accounts today. Carol Withrow can call herself a trailblazer. On the last day of 1996, with her grandson’s future in mind, Withrow opened a college savings account with the Utah Educational Savings Plan. Her account was one of just 157 UESP accounts…
