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Smart Saving for College—Better Buy Degrees529 Plans and Other College Savings Options
http://apps.finra.org/investor_Information/Smart/529/SmartSavingForCollege.asp
If you have kids, you want a college education for them. But—
- Do you know how much college costs?
- Do you know how much you need to save?
- Do you know the many different tax-advantaged ways to save for college?
We've written this guide to answer these questions and give you the information you need to wisely save and invest for college. You can make a college education an affordable choice for you or your child.
College costs are rising—Are you keeping pace? |
We all know that college costs are rising. For 2007-2008, The College Board® reports that the average cost for tuition and fees at private four-year colleges is $23,712, up 6.3% over last year. Although the $6,185 average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year public college is a lot less, these costs are up 6.6% from last year. In the past 5 years, the average cost of tuition and fees has risen by 31% at private four-year colleges and 51% at four-year public colleges.1
If college costs were to increase by just 5% per year, in 10 years the average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year private college would be $38,624 each year, and the average cost at a four-year public college would be $10,075. That's a four-year total of more than $40,299 for a public college and nearly $154,497 for a private school—and this is just tuition and fees! For 2007-2008, The College Board® reports that room and board charges average $8,595 at four-year private colleges and $7,404 at four-year public colleges.
Source: Trends in College Pricing 2007, The College Board®. Assumes a 5% increase in college costs each year and a child entering college at age 18.
But don't despair. While college costs are rising, many colleges still remain affordable. The College Board® reports that 45% of students attending a four-year public college pay less than $6,000 in tuition and fees, and 89% of students attending a public college pay less than $12,000.
So college is still within reach for most families, but especially for those that start saving for it early.
1 Source: Trends in College Pricing 2007, The College Board®.
Saving for College with Compounding |
Don't be daunted by the amount you may have to save. Small amounts of money, if invested early, can become sizable investments through the remarkable power of compounding. For example, if you save $200 a month at an 8% annual rate of return for your newborn child, you will have over $96,000 for college when she turns 18. Use our College Savings Calculator to see how early and regular saving can make your money grow.
Use our College Savings Calculator to estimate the amount of money to invest each year to cover your child's college education. Remember to factor tuition, room, board and books into your calculation. If you know where you want your child to go to college, but don't know the current costs, you can use the National Center for Education Statistics' school locator to research the costs. If you are unsure where you want your child to go to college, The College Board® says a year at a private four-year college, for tuition, room and board, now averages $32,307 and the same year at a public four-year college averages $13,589.
Financial Aid and Savings
As part of saving for college, you need to know whether your child will be eligible for financial aid, which reduces what you may need to save for college.
 You also should be aware, however, that saving for college might impact financial aid. In fact, any investments or savings can affect federal financial aid eligibility. The impact on financial aid varies depending on whether the savings belong to the parent or the child. Now, savings in a parent's name can reduce federal financial aid eligibility by at most 6%. But assets saved in a child's name can reduce aid eligibility by 35%. States and private colleges may have their own rules for financial aid, and some states give more favorable treatment to pre-paid tuition plans and other college savings options. |
Financial aid is a complex and confusing area. A very helpful Web site for understanding financial aid is FinAid! The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid. It even has a financial aid eligibility calculator to help you calculate the amount of money you will have to contribute to pay for college and the potential aid for which you may be eligible.
But remember that financial aid today is not a gift—about 52% of aid for 2006-2007 consisted of loans.2 While savings may decrease financial aid, you and your child will likely be in a much better financial situation on graduation day if you start saving for college now. The more you save now, the less you will need to borrow later.
2 Source: Trends in Student Aid 2007, The College Board®.
College Saving While Saving Taxes |
Once you determine how much you need to save or can afford to save, you need to decide what types of college saving vehicles you want to use. In addition to mutual funds, regular brokerage accounts and bank savings accounts, there are now a number of tax-advantaged alternatives available to help you save for college. Get the facts about each of the options, and decide which type might be right for you:
To help you understand the differences among these college savings options, use our Comparison of College Savings Options chart. We also offer you Tips for Choosing College Savings Options and links to other resources for more information.
Named after the section of the federal tax code that governs them, 529 plans are tax-advantaged programs that help families save for college. Selecting a plan requires homework. Every state offers at least one 529 plan and now a consortium of private colleges also offers a 529 plan. The tax advantages, investment options, restrictions, and fees can vary a great deal.
Before buying a 529 plan, you should find out about the particular plan you are considering, and be sure you understand the plan’s description of fees and expenses. Request an offering circular or official statement from the plan sponsor or your financial professional. Most 529 plans provide this document on their Web sites, where it may be called the “Disclosure Statement,” the “Plan Disclosure Document,” or something similar. You can find links to most 529 plan Web sites on The National Association of State Treasurers' College Savings Plans Network Web site for information on the 529 plans you are interested in.
Two Types of 529 Plans
There are two types of 529 plans—prepaid tuition plans and college savings plans. Every state offers at least one of these types of plans. Some states offer both, and now a consortium of private colleges also offers a prepaid tuition plan.
Prepaid tuition plans allow parents, grandparents and others to prepay tuition at today's tuition rates at eligible public and private colleges or universities so that they don't have to worry about future tuition increases.
- Contribution Limits
You pay for amounts of tuition (years, credits, or units) in one lump sum or through installment payments. There are a number of options. Some prepaid tuition plans offer contracts for a two-year community college or a four-year undergraduate program, or a combination of the two, and can cover one to five years of tuition. Some plans even allow the contract to be applied to graduate school tuition.
- Covered Educational Expenses
With only a few exceptions, however, most prepaid tuition plans do not cover other expenses, such as room and board. So you may want to consider other college savings options to cover these costs.
- Guarantees and Safety Features
Most states guarantee that the funds you put into a prepaid plan will keep pace with tuition. Some states back their prepaid tuition plans by the full faith and credit of the state, meaning that if the program should find itself in financial difficulty, the state will step in to provide the necessary funding. Other states do not have a formal guarantee, but do have a formal process by which the state's legislature will consider making an appropriation if necessary. Some states offer no guarantees that the plan will fund the future cost of tuition or that the state will step in should the plan falter.
- Residency Requirements and Other Limitations
Unlike college savings plans, most state prepaid tuition plans require either you or your child to be a resident of the state offering the plan when you apply. Some limit enrollment to a certain period each year. Many prepaid tuition plans also have age or grade limits for beneficiaries (i.e., future college students).
- Investment Options
Prepaid tuition plans have no investment options. Under prepaid plans, the price of the contract is determined prior to purchase and usually depends on the type of contract, the current grade of the beneficiary, the current and projected cost of tuition and the projected rate of return. These programs then pool the money and make long-range investments so that the earnings meet or exceed college tuition increases. When a child is ready to go to college, the plan transfers funds to cover the tuition directly to the institution.
- Portability
If your child chooses not to attend a college covered by the prepaid tuition plan, all is not lost. Although you will not get the benefit of guaranteed tuition, all prepaid tuition plans allow you to use plan money to pay tuition at other colleges and universities. Many state prepaid tuition plans will pay out an amount equal to the weighted average tuition and mandatory fees at your state's public institutions, not to exceed the actual tuition and fees you incur. Most prepaid plans also let you transfer the plan to a child's brother or sister (although age restrictions may prevent transfers to an older sibling). Unfortunately, if your child chooses not to go to college and a sibling doesn't use the plan, or you need to cancel the prepaid plan, most plans will only give you back what you originally contributed with a reduction or elimination of any interest earned. Some plans also charge a cancellation fee.
With college savings plans, students of all ages can save for all college costs, including tuition, fees, room, board, textbooks and computers.
| Not Just for Children. If you are considering going back to college or graduate school, you can open a college savings plan for yourself. You will save on taxes, and if you end up not going to school, you can always transfer the money, tax-free, to another 529 plan for your children or spouse. |
- Not Limited to In-State Public Colleges or State Residents
Withdrawals from college savings plans can be used at most colleges and universities throughout the country, including graduate schools. Some foreign education institutions also may be eligible. Many states now offer at least one college savings plan that has no residency restrictions. You can live in Ohio, contribute to a plan in Maine, and send your child to college in California. However, if your state offers state tax advantages to residents who participate in the local plan, you'll miss out if you opt for another state's 529 plan.
- Covered Education Expenses
College savings plans typically cover all "qualified education expenses" at eligible colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions including:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Books and supplies
- Equipment
- Room and board
- Contribution Limits
When you invest in a college savings plan, you pay money into an investment account on behalf of a designated beneficiary. Contributions can vary and are only limited by the maximum and minimum contributions limits set by most plans. Although the maximum contribution amount differs from state to state, in the majority of states offering college savings plans, the maximum amount that you can contribute for one beneficiary exceeds $200,000.
To further increase the amount of contributions you can make, you can open a second college savings plan in another state. Currently, the IRS only requires that contributions for one child cannot be more than the amount necessary for the qualified higher education expenses of that child. So if you want your child to go to an expensive college and graduate school, one option you have is to open more than one college savings plan.
Most states also offer very flexible minimum contribution limits. Many require a $250 initial contribution with subsequent contributions of as little as $50. These minimum contribution amounts can be reduced even further in many states if you make contributions through payroll deductions or automatic transfers from a bank account.
- Investment Options
Typically, each plan gives you a number of investment options that allow you to invest in various mutual fund portfolios. Some college savings plans offer age-based mutual fund portfolios. When the child is younger, the portfolio typically invests mostly in stock funds, which carry a higher risk, but higher return potential. As your child grows older, the asset allocation becomes increasingly conservative as it gradually shifts to bond funds and other fixed-income funds.
Many states also offer non-age-based investment options, allowing you to select portfolios with conservative, moderate and aggressive asset allocations. Some states also offer investment options that allow you to invest in certificates of deposits whose interest rates are linked to an index that measures the average cost of college tuition.
Until recently, once you selected an investment option within a college savings plan, you could not change that option. Only new contributions could be invested in different investment options. Now, however, the IRS allows you to change your investment options once every calendar year in a college savings plan.
- Investment Risk
Investing in college savings plans does come with some risk. Unlike prepaid tuition plans, they don't lock in tuition prices. Nor does the state back or guarantee the investments. There also is the risk with most college savings plan investment options that you may lose money or your investment may not grow enough to pay for college. For example, if you choose a plan option that invests in stock mutual funds, chances are that your invested funds' annual performance will mirror the trends of the stock market. Thus, you may lose money during a declining market.
- Fees, Charges and Expenses
All 529 plans have fees and expenses. Not only do these charges vary among 529 plans, but also they can vary within a single 529 plan. Like mutual funds, a single college savings plan may offer more than one “class” of shares to investors. Often referred to as A, B or C classes, units or fee structures, each class has different fees and expenses. You can look at the offering document to see if a particular college savings plan offers more than one class.
It is very important to take fees and expenses into account when selecting a college savings plan. Slightly larger fees and expenses can make a big difference in the value of your investment over time. Let's say you invest $10,000 in a college savings plan with a return of 8% before expenses. With a plan that had annual administration and operating expenses of 3.03%, after 18 years, you would end up with only $22,966.81. If the college savings plan had expenses of 0.65%, you would end up with $35,534—a 35% difference!
Here's a list of some of the most common fees, charges and expenses found in college savings plans:
- Enrollment Fee. Many college savings plans do not charge an enrollment fee. Almost all enrollment fees are under $50.
- Annual Maintenance Fee. Most college savings plans charge annual maintenance fees. These fees usually range from $10 to $50. Many plans reduce or eliminate this fee for residents, if you make automatic contributions, or if you maintain a certain balance, typically $25,000.
- Sales Charge (Front-end Sales Load). Several college savings plans charge a sales charge when you buy certain investment options within a plan or purchase a plan through a broker or investment adviser instead of directly from the state. Generally, you can determine the sales load by looking at the fees and expenses section of the offering circular or prospectus. Not every plan has a sales load. In some plans, a sales charge may only be levied on certain share classes of the plan.
| Get a Break on Front-end Sales Loads. Like mutual funds, Class A shares of college savings plans often offer discounts that reduce the front-end sales loads you pay. The investment levels at which the discounts become available are called breakpoints. The amount of the discount is based on the size of your investment, and the discount increases as the size of your investment increases. You can learn more about breakpoints discounts in FINRA’s Investor Alert, Mutual Fund Breakpoints: A Break Worth Taking. |
- Deferred Sales Charge. A deferred sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) is a charge you pay when you withdraw money from an investment option or college savings plan. It is sometimes referred to as the back-end load. The charge may start out at 2.5% for the first year, and get smaller each year after that until it reaches zero. Generally, you can determine the deferred sales charge by looking at the fees and expenses section of the offering circular or prospectus. Not every college savings plan has a deferred sales charge. In some plans, a deferred sales charge may only be levied on certain classes of the plan.
- Administration/Management Fee. This is the total annual college savings plan operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the plan's assets. For example, an expense ratio of 1% represents an annual charge to the plan's assets—including your proportional interest in those assets—of 1% per year.
- Underlying Fund Expenses. Because college savings plan portfolios typically invest in a number of mutual funds, they bear part of the fees and expenses of these underlying funds. This expense is expressed as a percentage of a mutual fund's assets. Because college savings plan investment portfolios sometimes invest in a number of mutual funds, the offering circular or prospectus may contain fund expenses percentages for each of these funds.
| 529 Expense Analyzer. Because plan fees and expenses can vary widely from plan to plan, we have developed an expense analyzer to help you compare how sales loads, management fees, underlying fund fees, and other plan expenses can reduce returns. |
| Prepaid Tuition Plan |
College Savings Plan |
| Most plans allow you to prepay tuition at eligible public and private colleges and universities at today's price. |
No lock on college costs. |
| All plans cover tuition and mandatory fees. A few plans allow you to purchase a room & board option, use excess tuition credits for other qualified expenses or cover all qualified education expenses. |
Covers all "qualified higher education expenses," including:
- Tuition
- Room & board
- Mandatory fees
- Books, computers (if required)
|
| Most plans set lump sum and installment payments prior to purchase based on age of beneficiary and college tuition years purchased. |
Many plans have contribution limits in excess of $200,000. |
| Many state plans guaranteed or backed by state. |
No state guarantee. Most investment options are subject to market risk. Your investment may make no profit or even decline in value. |
| Some state plans have age/grade limits for beneficiaries. |
No age limit. Open to adults and children. |
| Most state plans require either plan owner or beneficiary to be a state resident at the enrollment time. |
Most plans do not have a residency requirement. However, nonresidents may only be able to purchase some plans through financial advisers or brokers. |
| Most plans have limited enrollment period. |
Enrollment open all year. |
Common Features of Prepaid Tuition and College Savings Plans |
Federal Tax Advantages
One of the biggest advantages of 529 plans over other college savings options are the tax advantages they offer. Earnings grow tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses.
Although the IRS typically allows you to give no more than $12,000 a year to another person without a federal gift tax, you can contribute up to $60,000 to a 529 plan in one year. A special tax law allows you to aggregate five years of the allowable $12,000 annual gift-tax exclusion to jump-start a 529 plan. While you will be precluded from making any further gifts for five years, compounding will make your earnings grow faster than if you invested $12,000 in each of the five years. Use our College Savings Calculator to see the difference in savings of using a lump sum to jump-start a 529 plan.
Also, anyone can contribute to a 529 plan. Unlike education savings accounts (ESAs) and saving bonds, which are discussed later, there are no income limitations. For most wealthy families, 529 plans are one of the few available tax-advantaged college savings options.
State Tax Advantages
State tax treatment of 529 plans varies from state to state. In over 5 states, contributions are tax deductible if you're a resident of the state sponsoring the 529 plan. For example, Colorado currently allows residents to deduct the entire amount of their contribution to their in-state plan for each beneficiary, up to the amount of their annual adjusted gross income. Rhode Island, on the other hand, allows only a $1,000 deduction in total for joint filers and $500 for single filers. Many states also follow the federal tax lead of allowing earnings to grow tax-free and imposing no state tax on qualified withdrawals from in-state and out-of-state plans.
A few states offer grants or matching contributions for low and moderate-income families. New Jersey offers a one-time scholarship to eligible beneficiaries their first semester at a New Jersey public university, and Maine offers a $50 "first step" grant to all babies born in Maine in 2008 with an initial contribution of $200, or if the account owner elects to fund the account through payroll deductions or automated contributions.
Control
Unlike custodial accounts and ESAs, 529 plans allow the account owner to maintain control over the assets in a 529 plan for the life of the account. You also can change beneficiaries to another "family member" of the original beneficiary. Thus, if your child gets a scholarship or decides not to go to college, you can name another beneficiary—even yourself. Some 529 plans, especially prepaid tuition plans, may limit or restrict your ability to change beneficiaries, so check the plan offering document.
Transfers
The assets of one 529 plan can be transferred tax-free to another 529 plan of another beneficiary, as long as the new beneficiary is a "family member" of the beneficiary of the 529 plan from which the transfer was made. "Family members" include, among others, the beneficiary's spouse, son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew and first cousin.
The assets of one 529 plan also can be transferred tax-free to another 529 plan for the same beneficiary. However, only one transfer of this type is allowed within any 12-month period. There also may be state tax implications when you transfer from one 529 plan to another. You may want to consult with your tax adviser before you make a transfer.
Withdrawals for Non-College Related Expenses
If your child decides not to go to college or you over-fund a 529 plan, you may pay a penalty in addition to any taxes you owe on any earnings. If you withdraw money from a 529 plan that is not used for qualified education expenses, you are generally required to pay income tax and an additional 10% penalty on earnings.
There are a number of exceptions to this penalty. The penalty may be waived if your child gets a scholarship or is disabled. You also can avoid the taxes and penalties by transferring the 529 plan to another beneficiary who will use the funds for qualified education expenses. Furthermore, you can use our College Savings Calculator to estimate the amount you need to save so that you don't overfund a 529 plan.
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts |
Those who want more investment choices may want to consider Coverdell Education Saving Accounts (ESAs).
No Investment Restrictions
Formerly known as Education IRAs, ESAs are another tax-advantaged way to pay for college. Unlike 529 plans, your investment options are virtually limitless. Except for investing in life insurance contracts, you can buy and sell what you want whenever you want. Also, you can set them up at almost any brokerage firm, mutual-fund company, or other financial institution.
Federal Tax Advantages
As with 529 plans, contributions are not deductible, but earnings in ESAs are tax-deferred, and withdrawals that are used for qualified education expenses are tax-free.
Education Expenses Covered
One advantage that ESAs have over other tax-advantaged saving options is that you can make tax-free withdrawals to pay for private elementary and high school expenses, as well as post-secondary school expenses. So if a private school is in the future, one option you might want to consider is saving for that expense in an ESA and using a 529 plan for college.
Contribution Limits
ESAs have two annual contribution limits for individuals:
- You can give up to $2,000 to any one beneficiary assuming you meet the ESA income limits discussed below.
- The total of all contributions to all ESAs set up for one beneficiary cannot exceed $2,000. If other family members set up ESAs for your child, you need to check with them to make sure this contribution limit is not exceeded.
If you exceed these contribution limits, there is a 6% excise tax each year on excess contributions.
Invest $2,000 a year at an annual yield of 6% from the time your child is born, and you will have a little more than $61,000 in college savings when your child turns 18. Can't save that much, or think you can get a higher return on your investment? Use our College Savings Calculator to estimate your savings.
Income Restrictions
A couple filing a joint return can contribute $2,000 if their modified adjusted gross income is less than $190,000 a year. The ability to contribute is phased out for couples filing jointly with modified adjusted gross incomes of between $190,000 and $220,000. Contributions are not allowed for couples filing jointly whose modified adjusted gross income is $220,000 or above.
Single taxpayers will be able to contribute $2,000 if their modified adjusted gross income is less than $95,000. Single taxpayers' ability to contribute is phased out if their modified adjusted gross income is between $95,000 and $110,000. No contributions are allowed if their modified adjusted gross income is $110,000 or above.
Organizations, such as corporations, can also contribute to ESAs and are not subject to any income limits.
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Figuring Your ESA Contribution Limit. If your income is between $190,000 and $220,000 (joint filers), or $95,000 and $110,000 (single filers), you can figure your ESA contribution limit by using the following equations:
Married Joint Filers
$2,000 - (Modified Adjusted Gross Income - $190,000 * $2,000) = Contribution Limit
$30,000
Single Filers
$2,000 - (Modified Adjusted Gross Income - $95,000 * $2,000) = Contribution Limit
$15,000
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Fees, Charges and Expenses
Fees, charges and expenses will vary depending on the investments you choose and the institution with which you open an ESA. Remember, however, that because of the fairly low contribution limits, even small annual fees or expenses could make a big difference in the value of your investment over time.
Custodial accounts—Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) accounts or Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) accounts—are another tax-advantaged way to save for college. A parent, grandparent or other adult is custodian for the account and makes all the investment decisions until the child for whom the account was opened reaches the age of majority. UGMA accounts are limited to money and securities. UTMA accounts can hold other types of property. You can set up these accounts at almost any brokerage firm, mutual-fund company or other financial institution.
Advantages
For children younger than 18, the first $850 of unearned income is tax-free. The next $850 is taxed at the child's federal tax rate. Any earnings over $1,700 are taxed at the custodian's federal tax rate. To learn more about the tax rules for children, you should read IRS Publication 929: Tax Rules for Children and Dependents.
As with ESAs, your investing options are virtually limitless. Nor are there any contribution or income limitations. In addition, withdrawals can be used for any purpose, not just qualified education expenses, without penalty.
Disadvantages
When your child reaches the age of majority—18 to 25 depending on the state in which you live—he or she takes control of the account and can use the money in the account for anything. Because you lose control over how the money may be spent, some parents and grandparents may not like this option. Another potential disadvantage is that because the account is considered the child's asset, you can't switch beneficiaries. So if your child decides not go to college or gets a scholarship, you can't switch the money to a brother, sister, or other family member.
| Tax-Free Transfer to a 529 Plan. You now can transfer funds from a custodial account to a 529 plan if the plan accepts such transfers. However, you must liquidate any investments you have made in a custodial account because you can only transfer cash and pay taxes, if any, on any gains. Another problem with transferring custodial account funds is that the money is the child's asset, not yours, so you cannot transfer the 529 plan to another beneficiary. There also may be other restrictions and limitations. |
Series EE & I Savings Bonds |
U.S. Series EE savings bonds issued after 1989 or Series I saving bonds are another tax-advantaged way to save for college.
Advantages
Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, the interest from these bonds is tax free if used for qualified higher education expenses. Also, interest on Series EE and I savings bonds is usually exempt from state and local taxes.
Disadvantages
The full interest exclusion is only available to married couples filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income of less than $98,400, and for single filers with modified adjusted gross income of less than $65,600 in 2007. The interest exclusion is phased out if your modified adjusted gross income is between $98,400 and $128,400 for joint filers, and between $65,600 and $80,600 for single taxpayers. Regardless of your income, married couples filing separately cannot take advantage of this savings bond program. You can learn more about the Educational Savings Bond Program in IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education.
The rules for using savings bonds for education can be complicated. To learn more about using savings bonds for educational expenses, you should read the Bureau of Public Debt's frequently asked questions on education and savings bonds or you can call the Federal Reserve at (866) 388-1776. You can call the Bureau of Public Debt toll-free at (800) 487-2663 for information on the latest rates for Series EE and Series I savings bonds or at (800) 722-2678 to learn how to buy savings bonds directly from the federal government. The Bureau of Public Debt's Web site also provides information on the latest rates for Series EE and Series I savings bonds and how to buy saving bonds directly from the federal government.
Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits |
The Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit offer another way to reduce your taxes while paying for college. Available for only the first two years of college, the Hope Credit equals 100% of the first $1,100 paid for college tuition and fees and 50% of the second $1,100, for a maximum credit of $1,650 per student. To qualify for the Hope Credit, your child must be pursuing a degree, going to school at least half time and not have a felony drug conviction.
With the Lifetime Learning Credit, you can claim up to 20% of the first $10,000 paid for college tuition and fees, for a maximum credit of $2,000 per tax return. Unlike the Hope Credit, there is no limit on the number of years you can claim the Lifetime Learning Credit. It may be used for undergraduate and graduate courses and even for tuition and fees when your child is attending school less than half time. But, you can only claim the credit once per tax return, no matter how many children you have enrolled in college at the same time.
The full credits are available to you if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $47,000 if you are a single taxpayer and $94,000 if you are married filing jointly. The credits phase out if your modified adjusted gross income is between $47,000 and $57,000 if you're a single taxpayer, and between $94,000 and $114,000 if you are married filing jointly. You can't get either of these credits if your modified adjusted gross income is $57,000 or above if you are a single taxpayer, $114,000 or above if you are married filing jointly or you are married filing separately.
If you qualify for a Hope Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit, you can still claim the credit even if you make a withdrawal from a 529 plan or ESA. You just can't apply the credits based on expenses paid with 529 or ESA money. Prior to 2002, you could not claim these credits if you made a withdrawal from a 529 or ESA.
More information on the availability of these credits can be found in IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education.
Tips for Choosing College Savings Options |
- Understand the Tax Benefits
A number of college savings options offer tax-advantaged ways to save. Taking advantage of these savings options may greatly affect how much you can accumulate for your child's college education. In addition to the federal tax benefits of many college savings options, there may also be state tax benefits. Savings bonds are usually exempt from state and local taxes. Many states allow you to deduct some or all of your contributions to a 529 plan if you're a resident of the state sponsoring the plan. In addition, states may offer other tax advantages for 529 plans. Because of these state tax benefits, you might want to check out your own state's 529 plan before considering other plans.
Everyone's tax situation is different, and state and federal tax law can be complex. You may want to consult with your tax adviser about which college savings options are best for you.
- Examine Fees and Expenses
All of the college savings options discussed above involve various fees and expenses. A college saving option with higher costs must perform better than a low-cost option to generate the same returns for you. Even small differences in fees and expenses can translate into a large difference over time.
While we explain the various expenses involved with many 529 plans, that does not mean that other college savings options don't have fees and expenses. If you invest in mutual funds through an ESA or custodial account, you should check the fee table in the prospectus to see how the costs of a mutual fund add up over time. If you invest in stock, make sure you understand how much in commissions you must pay and factor this into any gain you may make.
- Know the Risks As Well As the Rewards of Your College Savings Options
Compared to saving for retirement, your college saving timeline is relatively short. At most it may be 18 years. And for many people, it's a lot less. This can impact your ability to weather a market decline and increases your risk.
Before investing in any college saving vehicle, carefully evaluate it and its investment options. Investment options with higher rates of return may take risks that are beyond your comfort level and are inconsistent with your goals. To learn more about the investment strategy of investment options you are considering and their risk, you should read the following materials:
- 529 Plans. Read the offering circular or prospectus. It usually contains the investment strategy and risks of a 529 plan and its investment portfolios. Most 529 plans provide this document on their Web sites.
- Mutual Funds. Read the prospectus and shareholder reports. Prospectus and shareholders reports are usually available from mutual fund companies or your financial professional. Mutual fund prospectuses also are available in the SEC's EDGAR database.
- Stocks and other securities. Read a company's registration statement or annual (Form 10-K) and quarterly (Form 10-Q) reports. These are typically available in the SEC's EDGAR database. For companies that don't file in EDGAR, email the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, or call (202) 551-8090, to see whether the company has filed any documents with the SEC.
- Understand Your College Savings Plan's Limitations and Restrictions
What happens to your college savings if your child decides not to go to college, you have another child or you lose your job? These events and many others could dramatically impact your college savings strategy. Unfortunately, most college savings options have various restrictions and limitations that may impact your ability to react to a changing situation. Review carefully any college saving options you're considering to make sure they have the flexibility and control you feel you need.
Our College Savings Plan Comparison Chart will help you understand and compare the various restrictions and limitations of each option.
College Savings Plan Comparison Chart |
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College Savings Plan |
Prepaid Tuition Plan |
ESA |
Custodial Accounts |
Savings Bonds |
| Ownership/Control |
Contributor |
Contributor |
Contributor |
Custodian until child reaches age of majority |
Contributor |
| Investment Choices |
Typically, plans provide several investment options. |
None |
No restrictions |
No restrictions |
Savings bonds |
| Age Limits |
None |
Plan may set age or grade limits. |
Except for special needs children, no contributions can be made after a child reaches age 18, and withdrawals must be made before beneficiary reaches age 30. |
Minor child |
Owner must be at least 24 before the bond's issue date (not purchase date). |
| Expenses Covered Besides Tuition and Fees |
Qualified education expenses for post-secondary education |
With a few exceptions, only tuition and mandatory fees for post-secondary education are covered. |
Qualified elementary and secondary education expenses or qualified higher education expenses |
No restrictions on types of expenses |
Tuition and mandatory fees for post-secondary education and contributions to 529s and ESAs |
| Contribution Limit |
Varies from plan to plan. Majority of plans permit total contributions in excess of $200,000 per beneficiary. |
Fixed by terms of contract you purchase |
Contributor: $2,000 per beneficiary per year
Beneficiary: $2,000, does not matter how many ESAs are set up. |
No limit |
No limit |
| Federal Tax Advantages |
Earnings grow tax-deferred and are tax-free if used for qualified education expenses. |
Earnings grow tax-deferred and are tax-free if used for qualified education expenses. |
Earnings grow tax-deferred and are tax-free if used for qualified education expenses. |
$850 in earnings are tax-free. |
Interest grows tax-deferred and is tax-free if used for qualified education expenses. |
| State Tax Advantages |
Varies from state to state, but some states provide tax deduction for contributions, tax-free earnings growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. |
Varies from state to state, but some states provide tax-deduction for contributions, tax-free earnings growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. |
None |
None |
Interest is usually tax-exempt from state and local taxes. |
| Income Phase-Out |
None |
None |
Single filers:
$95,000 - $110,000
Joint filers:
$190,000 - $220,000 |
None |
Single Filers:
$65,600 - 80,600
Joint Filers:
$98,400 - 128,400 |
| Penalties for Non-Qualified Withdrawals |
Earnings are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to 10% penalty. |
Earnings are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to 10% penalty. |
Withdrawals that exceed the beneficiary's education expenses for the year may be taxable. |
None |
Interest earned is taxed as income. |
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has information on the tax-advantage college savings options discussed here. Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education is a good place to start. It discusses 529 plans, ESAs and savings bonds, as well as tax credits and deductions for higher education expenses. You also can call the IRS toll-free at (800) 829-3676 to order publications.
College Savings Network. The National Association of State Treasurers' College Savings Plans Network Web site provides information on 529 plans. Their site provides links to state 529 plan Web sites, information on state tax treatment and other useful information.
529 Plan Sponsors. Most 529 plans allow you to directly invest through them. They provide you with offering circulars and applications, as well as a wealth of information on saving for college.
Brokers, Financial Advisers and Mutual Fund Firms. Many brokers, financial advisers and mutual funds firms work with one or more 529 plan sponsors and have information and materials on 529 plans. Most of these firms can also provide you with information on setting up ESAs and Custodial Accounts. Many firms also have Web sites that can provide you with information on your college savings options.
FINRA. We have a Web page devoted to 529 plans. In addition, you can check if the firm or individual offering you a college saving option is registered with FINRA on our Web site or by calling our hotline at (800) 289-9999.
Bureau of Public Debt. The Bureau of Public Debt's Web site provides everything from educational information to calculators to a direct purchase program for savings bonds. You can also call the Bureau of Public Debt toll-free at (800) 487-2663 for information on the latest rates for Series EE and Series I savings bonds or at (800) 722-2678 to learn how to buy savings bonds directly from the federal government.
FinAid! The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid. FinAid! The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid's Web site provides a lot of helpful information on financial aid.
Online Resources. You will also find a wealth of information about your various college savings options on the Internet.
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