ARTICLES
-529 Plans
-Education Planning Basics
ABCs of Financial Aid
Can I afford to Send my Child to College?
Education Tax Credits
Finding Money to Pay College Bills out of Pocket
Going Back to School as an Adult
Health Insurance for College Students
Helping your Child Make the Transition from High School to College
How Student Loans Impact your Credit
Research Tips when Choosing a College
Saving for Retirement & a Child's Education at the Same Time
Sticker Shock--Creative Ways to Lower the Cost of College
Student Loan Basics
The Best Ways to Save for College
The College Application Process
Can I afford to Send my Child to College?
Education Tax Credits
Finding Money to Pay College Bills out of Pocket
Going Back to School as an Adult
Health Insurance for College Students
Helping your Child Make the Transition from High School to College
How Student Loans Impact your Credit
Research Tips when Choosing a College
Saving for Retirement & a Child's Education at the Same Time
Sticker Shock--Creative Ways to Lower the Cost of College
Student Loan Basics
The Best Ways to Save for College
The College Application Process
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DECISION TOOLS
-529 Plans
-Determining How Much to Save for College
-Evaluating College Savings Options
Advantages & Disadvantages of 529 Plans
Advantages & Disadvantages of Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
Advantages & Disadvantages of Custodial Accounts for College Savings
Advantages & Disadvantages of U.S. Savings Bonds for College Savings
College Funding Options Analyzer
College Savings Vehicles Compared
Advantages & Disadvantages of Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
Advantages & Disadvantages of Custodial Accounts for College Savings
Advantages & Disadvantages of U.S. Savings Bonds for College Savings
College Funding Options Analyzer
College Savings Vehicles Compared
-Financial Aid
-Tax Issues
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FAQs
-529 Plan Basics
Do 529 Plans Include both State Savings Plans & Prepaid Tuition Plans?
How Long Have 529 Plans Been Around?
How Many States Currently Have 529 Plans?
What is the Independent 529 Plan?
What's the difference between State Savings Plans & Prepaid Tuition Plans?
Who can Legally Offer 529 Plans?
Why are These Plans Referred to as "529" Plans?
How Long Have 529 Plans Been Around?
How Many States Currently Have 529 Plans?
What is the Independent 529 Plan?
What's the difference between State Savings Plans & Prepaid Tuition Plans?
Who can Legally Offer 529 Plans?
Why are These Plans Referred to as "529" Plans?
-529 Plan Expenses & Fees
-529 Plans & Financial Aid
How will my 529 Account be Treated for Financial Aid Purposes?
I opened a State Savings Plan Account for my Grandchild Many Years Ago, and He's Now Filling out Financial Aid Applications. Do His Parents Need to List the Value of the Account in their Assets, or Does my Grandchild List the Value of the Account as His Asset?
I opened a State Savings Plan Account for my Grandchild Many Years Ago, and He's Now Filling out Financial Aid Applications. Do His Parents Need to List the Value of the Account in their Assets, or Does my Grandchild List the Value of the Account as His Asset?
-529 Plans vs. Other Ways to Save for College
How Does a 529 Plan Compare with a Coverdell Education Savings Account?
How Does a 529 Plan Compare with an UGMA/ UTMA Custodial Account in my Child's Name?
How Does a 529 Plan Compare with Investing in a Mutual Fund in my Name?
How Does a 529 Plan Compare with Using U.S. Savings Bonds for College Expenses?
How Does a 529 Plan Compare with an UGMA/ UTMA Custodial Account in my Child's Name?
How Does a 529 Plan Compare with Investing in a Mutual Fund in my Name?
How Does a 529 Plan Compare with Using U.S. Savings Bonds for College Expenses?
-529 Plans: Changing Plans (rollover)
-529 Plans: Choosing or Changing a Beneficiary or Account Owner
Can a 529 Account have More than One Beneficiary?
Can I change the Beneficiary of a 529 Account?
Can I Open a 529 Account & Name Myself as Beneficiary?
Is there an Age Limit on who can be a Beneficiary of a 529 Plan?
Under What Circumstances can the Account Owner of a 529 Plan be Changed?
Who can be a Beneficiary of a 529 Plan?
Can I change the Beneficiary of a 529 Account?
Can I Open a 529 Account & Name Myself as Beneficiary?
Is there an Age Limit on who can be a Beneficiary of a 529 Plan?
Under What Circumstances can the Account Owner of a 529 Plan be Changed?
Who can be a Beneficiary of a 529 Plan?
-529 Plans: Death of Account Owner or Beneficiary
-529 Plans: Making Contributions
Can Contributions to a 529 Plan be Directly Debited from my Checking Account?
Can I Contribute My Own Stocks & Bonds to the 529 Account I've Set Up for my Child?
Can I Make Contributions to a 529 Account & a Coverdell Education Savings Account in the Same Year for the Same Beneficiary?
Can I Transfer my Child's UGMA/UTMA custodial Account to a 529 Plan?
How much can I invest in a 529 Plan?
How often can I make Contributions to my child's 529 Account?
I'm putting Money into a 529 Plan for my Grandchild. But are the 529 Assets Subject to Medicaid spend-down Requirements?
Should I invest a lump sum, or is there a way to use Dollar Cost Averaging when Investing in a State Savings Plan?
Can I Contribute My Own Stocks & Bonds to the 529 Account I've Set Up for my Child?
Can I Make Contributions to a 529 Account & a Coverdell Education Savings Account in the Same Year for the Same Beneficiary?
Can I Transfer my Child's UGMA/UTMA custodial Account to a 529 Plan?
How much can I invest in a 529 Plan?
How often can I make Contributions to my child's 529 Account?
I'm putting Money into a 529 Plan for my Grandchild. But are the 529 Assets Subject to Medicaid spend-down Requirements?
Should I invest a lump sum, or is there a way to use Dollar Cost Averaging when Investing in a State Savings Plan?
-529 Plans: Tax Issues
Can I deduct my Contributions to my 529 Account?
Can I use 529 Funds to Pay my Child's College Expenses in the Same Year I take Either the Hope Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit?
How Does the Annual Gift Tax Exclusion Apply to Contributions to a 529 Plan?
I intend to Make Tuition Payments Directly to my Grandchild's College, and I know this will Reduce my Estate, but would it be better to Contribute to a 529 Plan Instead?
I know that Qualified Withdrawals from State Savings Plans are now Exempt from Federal Income Tax, but what about State Taxes?
I opened a 529 plan and my child is the beneficiary. If my mother makes a contribution to the plan, is that considered a gift to me or to my child?
I opened a state savings plan sponsored by a different state than my own. Will I get that state's tax benefits?
I'd like to make a lump-sum contribution to my grandchild's 529 account. Will I owe gift tax?
If I cash in Series EE U.S. Savings bonds I purchased 10 years ago & contribution the proceeds to a 529 plan, can I still avoid paying tax on the proceeds?
The Economic Growth & Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 Contains Sunset Provisions. Should I be worried about this?
Will I be penalized if the money in my 529 plan isn't used for College Expenses?
Will I pay income tax when the money in my 529 plan is withdrawn to pay for college expenses?
Will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate or my Beneficiary Estate?
Can I use 529 Funds to Pay my Child's College Expenses in the Same Year I take Either the Hope Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit?
How Does the Annual Gift Tax Exclusion Apply to Contributions to a 529 Plan?
I intend to Make Tuition Payments Directly to my Grandchild's College, and I know this will Reduce my Estate, but would it be better to Contribute to a 529 Plan Instead?
I know that Qualified Withdrawals from State Savings Plans are now Exempt from Federal Income Tax, but what about State Taxes?
I opened a 529 plan and my child is the beneficiary. If my mother makes a contribution to the plan, is that considered a gift to me or to my child?
I opened a state savings plan sponsored by a different state than my own. Will I get that state's tax benefits?
I'd like to make a lump-sum contribution to my grandchild's 529 account. Will I owe gift tax?
If I cash in Series EE U.S. Savings bonds I purchased 10 years ago & contribution the proceeds to a 529 plan, can I still avoid paying tax on the proceeds?
The Economic Growth & Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 Contains Sunset Provisions. Should I be worried about this?
Will I be penalized if the money in my 529 plan isn't used for College Expenses?
Will I pay income tax when the money in my 529 plan is withdrawn to pay for college expenses?
Will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate or my Beneficiary Estate?
-Applying to College
-Borrowing Against your 529 Plan
-Choosing a 529 Plan
-College Costs
-College Students & Insurance
-Education Tax Credits
-Financial Aid
Are any Financial Aid Programs Tailored Especially to Parents of Post-Secondary Students?
Are there any assets that are not counted for financial aid purposes?
Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?
Can anyone get a Pell Grant?
Can we Negotiate our child's financial Aid Award?
Do colleges offer Financial Aid?
How can my Child Find Scholarships for College?
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
How do I know if I'm eligible for Federal Financial Aid?
How does the Federal Financial Aid Process Work?
Is there Anything I can do now so that my child can Obtain more Financial Aid Later?
What are the Major Federal Financial Aid Loan Programs?
What happens if our Child's College Does not Give us all the Financial Aid we need?
What is a Stafford Loan?
Are there any assets that are not counted for financial aid purposes?
Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?
Can anyone get a Pell Grant?
Can we Negotiate our child's financial Aid Award?
Do colleges offer Financial Aid?
How can my Child Find Scholarships for College?
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
How do I know if I'm eligible for Federal Financial Aid?
How does the Federal Financial Aid Process Work?
Is there Anything I can do now so that my child can Obtain more Financial Aid Later?
What are the Major Federal Financial Aid Loan Programs?
What happens if our Child's College Does not Give us all the Financial Aid we need?
What is a Stafford Loan?
-Opening a 529 Account
Are there rules on who can open a 529 account?
Can a non-U.S. citizen open a 529 account?
Can I open a 529 Account for a nonrelative?
Can I open a 529 account in anticipation of my future grandchild?
Can I open a 529 plan with a lump sum?
Can more than one account be opened for the same child?
Can my spouse and I open a joint 529 account for our child?
Does it make sense to open a 529 account if my child is only two years away from college?
How do I enroll in a state's 529 plan?
I have two children. Should I open one account for both children or one account for each child?
If I open a 529 account, will my child's choice of college be restricted?
Is there an income limit on who can open an account?
What happens if I open a 529 plan in one state and then move to another state?
Can a non-U.S. citizen open a 529 account?
Can I open a 529 Account for a nonrelative?
Can I open a 529 account in anticipation of my future grandchild?
Can I open a 529 plan with a lump sum?
Can more than one account be opened for the same child?
Can my spouse and I open a joint 529 account for our child?
Does it make sense to open a 529 account if my child is only two years away from college?
How do I enroll in a state's 529 plan?
I have two children. Should I open one account for both children or one account for each child?
If I open a 529 account, will my child's choice of college be restricted?
Is there an income limit on who can open an account?
What happens if I open a 529 plan in one state and then move to another state?
-Paying for College
I've heard that a grandparent can pay a grandchild's tuition directly to the college without any gift tax problems. Is this true?
Should I take out a home equity loan to pay for my child's tuition?
Should I use my 401(k) to fund my child's college education?
Should I withdraw money from my IRA to pay for my child's college tuition?
Should I take out a home equity loan to pay for my child's tuition?
Should I use my 401(k) to fund my child's college education?
Should I withdraw money from my IRA to pay for my child's college tuition?
-Saving for College
Are government savings bonds risk free?
Are savings bonds a good way to save?
Are state savings plans a good way to save for college?
Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?
Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?
Help! My child is only two years away from college and we haven't saved much. What should we do?
How can I save for my child's college education?
How can we possibly save for retirement and our child's college education at the same time?
Should I establish a trust for my child's college education fund?
Should I open a Coverdell Education Savings Account?
Should I save for College in my name or my child's name?
What are the rules for Coverdell Education Savings Accounts?
What is the CollegeSure CD?
Are savings bonds a good way to save?
Are state savings plans a good way to save for college?
Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?
Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?
Help! My child is only two years away from college and we haven't saved much. What should we do?
How can I save for my child's college education?
How can we possibly save for retirement and our child's college education at the same time?
Should I establish a trust for my child's college education fund?
Should I open a Coverdell Education Savings Account?
Should I save for College in my name or my child's name?
What are the rules for Coverdell Education Savings Accounts?
What is the CollegeSure CD?
-Selecting a College
-Student Loans
-Understanding 529 Investments
Does a State Savings Plan Allow Me to Choose My Own Investments?
Is my Rate of Return Guaranteed Under a 529 Plan?
What Recourse Do I Have if I'm Unhappy with my State Savings Plan's Investment Performance?
What's the Difference Between How a State Savings Plan Invests and How a Prepaid Tuition Plan Invests?
Is my Rate of Return Guaranteed Under a 529 Plan?
What Recourse Do I Have if I'm Unhappy with my State Savings Plan's Investment Performance?
What's the Difference Between How a State Savings Plan Invests and How a Prepaid Tuition Plan Invests?
-Using or Withdrawing 529 Funds
Can 529 Funds be Used for General Living Expenses while at College?
Can the Funds in a 529 plan be Used for College Expenses if My Child is Only attending part-time?
How do I prove that a distribution request is for my child's college expenses and not for some other purpose?
Must the funds in a 529 plan be used for tuition only, or can they be used for room and board expenses?
My child got a full scholarship to college--now what?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds at a foreign school?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds for graduate school?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds for vocational school?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can we use the 529 funds for her private elementary or secondary school?
My child will be going to college next year and using 529 funds to pay expenses--what do I need to do?
What happens if I need to use the funds in a 529 plan before my child goes to college?
What happens if I open a 529 account for my child, and she later becomes disabled and doesn't go to college?
What happens if my child finishes college and there is money left over in the 529 account?
What happens to my 529 plan if my child wants to postpone going to college for a year or two after high school?
What happens to the funds in my 529 account if my child doesn't go to college?
Can the Funds in a 529 plan be Used for College Expenses if My Child is Only attending part-time?
How do I prove that a distribution request is for my child's college expenses and not for some other purpose?
Must the funds in a 529 plan be used for tuition only, or can they be used for room and board expenses?
My child got a full scholarship to college--now what?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds at a foreign school?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds for graduate school?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds for vocational school?
My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can we use the 529 funds for her private elementary or secondary school?
My child will be going to college next year and using 529 funds to pay expenses--what do I need to do?
What happens if I need to use the funds in a 529 plan before my child goes to college?
What happens if I open a 529 account for my child, and she later becomes disabled and doesn't go to college?
What happens if my child finishes college and there is money left over in the 529 account?
What happens to my 529 plan if my child wants to postpone going to college for a year or two after high school?
What happens to the funds in my 529 account if my child doesn't go to college?
