College Savings Foundation (CSF) is a Washington, D.C.-based not-for-profit organization with the mission of helping American families achieve their education savings goals by working with public policy makers, media representatives and financial services industry executives in support of education savings programs.
CSF serves the education savings industry as a central repository of information and an expert resource for its members and for representatives of state and federal government, institutions of higher education, and other related organizations and associations.
CSF’s education savings mission serves families and individuals of all income levels and ethnic backgrounds across the nation. CSF supports the broad availability of, and participation in, 529 Plans, and encourages states to consider treating participation in all 529 Plans equally when considering legislation establishing any type of state benefits to 529 Plan participants. A competitive environment in which 529 Plan selection is based on the merits of each 529 Plan, the investor’s prior investment experience, college savings time horizon, and risk tolerance and not on state tax or other benefits, will result in more successful savers and ultimately make college more affordable and accessible to more families.
Chair: Chris McGee
Vice Chair: Deborah Smith
Secretary: Tracy Ziegler
Treasurer: John Park
Past Chair: Vivian Tsai
A 529 Plan is a tax-deferred, tax-free investment vehicle designed to support qualified higher education expenses. Congress created 529 Education Savings Plans in 1996 under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, and nearly all 529 Plans are affiliated with a State sponsor.
There are two types of 529 Plans: 529 Savings Plans, which allow families to invest in investment portfolios designed to grow and appreciate over time and which can be used for qualified higher education expenses at any college or post-secondary institution, and 529 Prepaid Plans, which generally allow families to purchase advance tuition credits or units to cover future attendance at a designated in-state public college or university system. 49 States and the District of Columbia offer a 529 plan, and some States offer both savings and prepaid plans.