529 Plans Make Saving for College Easier—Even When Money Is Tight

When the market goes up and down, and you're wondering what that means to your budget, it is tempting to put off saving for college. Of course you want the best for your children, but it's hard to save for future plans when current needs are so pressing.

A 529 lets you click, start, save.

Every 529 account is designed to make college savings easier. Start one online in just a few minutes, and with automatic contributions and tax-deferred growth, your account can have the momentum to reach your goal.

Why are 529 accounts so important?

Tuition costs are trending up, and student debt is rising. This increase in college costs and student debt may be a key factor in.¹ Parents and grandparents are taking on debt to help out. And many families have learned that.²

Where do I find the right 529?

Almost every state has a 529 plan, so you have many options. The research can seem overwhelming, but consider tax benefits in your home state, and fees, too. NY's 529 Direct Plan offers some of the lowest fees available for 529 plans.

What's this about tax benefits?

State tax benefits vary, so it pays to compare. New York residents are eligible for a state tax deduction for contributions to their NY's 529 Direct Plan account–a deduction of up to $5,000 per person, or $10,000 for a married couple. That's in addition to tax-deferred growth on the State and federal level. Please consult with your tax advisor.*

Who can open a 529 account?

In New York, any U.S. citizen or resident alien with a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number can open an account.

Who can be the beneficiary?

You can open an account for a child, grandchild, friend, or even yourself. The only rule is that the beneficiary must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien with a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

How can I contribute to my child's account?

Most plans offer electronic bank transfers, contributions from your bank account, checks, and sometimes payroll deductions.

How and where can you use the money?

You can use NY's 529 Direct Plan savings at federally accredited institutions in or out of New York, public or private, including 2- or 4-year colleges or universities or graduate, vocational and technical schools. Generally, that includes any institution with a U.S. Department of Education School Code. (Want to confirm? Check here.) Use savings for tuition, books, supplies, certain room and board expenses, computers, software and more. IRS Publication 970 has the specifics.

How can friends and family contribute to 529 savings?

In New York, 529 account owners can sign up for a gift code with Ugift®, and share it with people who want to contribute to the beneficiary’s account.

Friends and family can also open their own NY's 529 Direct Plan account with your child as beneficiary. The owner controls the account and enjoys many tax advantages. Check with your tax advisor for your individual situation.**

What if my beneficiary doesn't go to college or gets a scholarship?

Your 529 funds aren't "use or lose." If the beneficiary doesn't need the savings, you can transfer the balance to another eligible family member without penalty. If the beneficiary only needs some of the savings thanks to scholarships, you can withdraw the equivalent amount of the scholarship and pay income taxes on the earnings, with no federal income tax penalty.

For situations when the savings are not used for eligible higher education expenses, the account owner can take a nonqualified distribution and pay the taxes on it. Nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties, so check with your tax advisor for your individual situation.**

What impact do 529 savings have on eligibility for federal financial aid?

Students can still apply for many kinds of financial aid. Plus, 529 savings in accounts owned by parents are considered parental assets, and treated at a lower percentage rate (5.64% in 2019) in the need-based aid calculation. Get details here.

What fees apply?

Fees vary, so compare carefully at collegesavings.org. Remember that lower fees mean more money stays in your account to grow. NY's 529 Direct Plan, for example, has no annual account fees or sales commissions, and has one of the country's lowest expense ratios. For every $1,000 you invest, you'll pay $1.30 a year in fees (0.13% total annual asset-based fee).

What if money's tight?

A 529 account is a smart move that puts time to work for you. You can start small, too, since many plans, including New York's, have no minimum contributions. The best time to start is now.