Articles and CSF Mentions

Survey: Young people want solid outcomes from their higher education.

May 16, 2022

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Page 1 Sunday Business story by Tim Grant: A different kind of high school student is headed to college now. TIM GRANTPittsburgh Post-Gazettetgrant@post-gazette.com A different kind of high school student is headed to college now. The graduating seniors who will be entering into post-secondary education and training over Continue Reading...

Money Life with Chuck Jaffe

December 14, 2021

December 14, 2021 - CSF Chair Vivian Tsai joined "Money Life with Chuck Jaffe" (moneylifeshow.com) to tell listeners how 529 gifting programs are ideal for children - in registries, gift cards, personalized accounts, and other e-commerce options - and how nearly half of all parents surveyed by CSF were interested Continue Reading...

Kids and Money: Creative ways to make college savings contribution

December 10, 2021

KIDS AND MONEY By Steve Rosen Contributing to a 529 college savings plan this holiday season has never been easier. Little assembly is required, and unlike toys, a 529 won’t break to pieces after a couple weeks. Parents, grandparents, other family members and even your neighbor can contribute by using Continue Reading...

Digital gifting to 529 college savings plans is on the rise

November 22, 2021

Digital gifting to 529 college savings plans is on the riseNovember 22, 2021 TIM GRANT | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Don’t be surprised to receive a holiday newsletter this year from a friend or family member — and it might even come with a request for a donation to a college savings Continue Reading...

Real Wealth Radio

November 19, 2021

November 19, 2021 - Vivian Tsai, CSF Chair, spoke to Host Jim Silbernagel to discuss the results of the CSF Youth Survey and how high school students are feeling about college after a year of COVID. The radio show and podcast aims to prepare FAs with ideas for helping families Continue Reading...

Saving For College: The Child Tax Credit And Tips For New Parents

October 29, 2021

Forbes Judith Ward | Contributor | Personal Finance For many parents, the idea of setting aside savings for their young child’s college education on top of all their family’s current essential financial needs can feel like a daunting task. But it doesn't have to be, and here’s why. You don’t Continue Reading...

“Let’s Talk Money.”

October 19, 2021

October 19, 2021 - WRNE-AM Host Robert Hill interviewed CSF Chair Vivian Tsai for a 14-minute interview on higher education savings and the findings of CSF's State of College Survey of parents. Continue Reading...

Kids and Money: Parents funnel child care credit into college accounts

October 8, 2021

KIDS & MONEY Tribune.com Here are some survey statistics that raised my eyebrows: Nearly 60% of the parents receiving the monthly child care tax credits plan to put the extra income into their children’s college savings accounts. In addition, the majority of them — 72% — said they will park Continue Reading...

CSF Chair Vivian Tsai live on Fox 5 New York: Good Day New York.

September 15, 2021

Fox 5 New York: Good Day New YorkSeptember 15, 2021 CSF Chair Vivian Tsai appeared live on this morning news segment on Child Tax Credits and strategies to help families save for higher education using 529s. https://youtu.be/-6G5ROqMsc0 Continue Reading...

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

September 14, 2021

Parents are taking advantage of the child tax credit to shore up college savings TIM GRANT | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | tgrant@post-gazette.com Families that don’t need the advance child tax credits to pay for everyday household expenses like utility and medical bills are using the extra income to boost their children’s Continue Reading...

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Congress created 529 Education Savings Plans in 1996 under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. They are state-sponsored, tax-advantaged vehicles for qualified post-secondary education expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, required supplies, equipment and room and board. There are two types of 529 Plans: savings plans, which allow families to save for expenses, and prepaid tuition programs, which generally allow families to make advance tuition payments to cover future attendance at a designated in-state public college or university system. Most states offer a 529 plan, and some states offer both savings and pre-paid plans.

A primary focus of CSF is building public awareness of and providing public policy support for 529 plans – an increasingly vital college-savings vehicle. CSF’s members include investment managers, broker-dealers, governmental bodies, law firms, accounting and consulting firms, and non-profit agencies that participate in the sponsorship or administration of 529 college savings plans.

College Savings Foundation
1100 North Glebe Road Suite 1010
Arlington, VA 22201

Phone: 703-224-8083
Fax: 703-224-8001
Email: khamor@collegesavingsfoundation.org

PRESERVING, ENHANCING 529 PLANS
CSF’s key program goals are specifically focused on promotion, protection and enhancement of 529 plans.

A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION:
CSF brings together the industry and consumers on policy questions and provides a means for unified action on issues of concern to 529 plan investors and the industry. CSF provides a framework to assist with the orderly development of the programs and, in particular, acts as a resource for policymakers who share CSF’s objective of helping families realize their educational goals.

Tax Benefits

Investments grow on a tax-deferred basis, and earnings are free of federal income tax.
Contributions are eligible for gift tax exclusion as long as certain conditions are met.
Generally, account owners can remove contributions and future earnings from their taxable estate.
Certain 529 plans offer some type of state tax deduction when residents invest in their own state’s plan.

Flexibility

There are currently no income limits. Any U.S. resident or citizen, regardless of income, can open an account.
Account owners can withdraw money at anytime.
Funds may be used to pay qualified education expenses at any qualified educational institution in the U.S. (and some schools abroad), including any accredited public or private college or university, graduate school, two-year community or junior college and vocational and technical schools.
Eligible educational institutions include most U.S. schools and some schools located abroad. The institution must be eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Education student aid programs. To determine if a school is an eligible education institution, search for its federal school code at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Most plans offer low initial investments and a variety of investment options fitting various levels of risk and time horizons.

Control

The account owner decides when and how money in the account is withdrawn.
Account owners can change beneficiaries and investment options, according to IRS guidelines.

Start planning for your child’s future today!