Many parents have concerns about how they will pay for their child’s college education, and Consumer Reports’ experts say a 529 College Savings Plan can help –– you just need to know how to save and how to take money out the right way.
“A 529 plan is one of the best ways that you can save for college,” said Consumer Reports Investigative Reporter Lisa Gill. “It’s a state-sponsored investment plan that allows you to save for your kids’ college education no matter how far into the future.”
But many families don’t take advantage of this opportunity. In fact, only 30% of families used a 529 account to help pay for college this year, according to a 2023 study by Sallie Mae.
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One of the benefits of a 529 savings plan is that since the money saved is invested, it has the potential to multiply over time.
For example, if you opened a 529 account for a newborn this year and contributed about $250 a month, you’d have more than $113,000 when your child heads off to college in 18 years. That’s more than double your $54,000 investment. (Source: Estimate with Vanguard’s college savings calculator)
“One of the greatest things about it is that the money grows tax-free, and many states even give you a tax deduction. And if you get a later start, that’s ok, it’s still less money that you’ll take out as a loan later on,” Gill said.
This is important: Gill says the money from a 529 account has to be used on qualified education-related expenses like tuition, fees, books, supplies, computers and room and board, as long as the student is enrolled in school.
A few other things to keep in mind:
- You need to spend the money in the same tax year, not school year, that you make the withdrawal
- Be sure to keep all your receipts in case the IRS has questions later!
- If you’re lucky enough to have leftover 529 funds, avoid taxes and penalties by saving it for graduate school or transferring the money to another child or family member.
Gill says you can even use 529 money toward tuition for students in kindergarten through 12th grade –– but only up to $10,000 per student, per year.