College Savings Foundation

MEMBER WEBINARS

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Employers to the Rescue: How to Leverage the CARES Act for a Tax-Free Student Loan Benefit

INVITE EDUCATION

Finding Balance – Parenting through the College Admission Process
We all want our children to succeed independently, but we also don’t want them to run in the wrong direction, especially considering the costs. This webinar helps families evaluate their options.

How to Win the Financial Aid Game
In this webinar, experts John Hupalo and Gregg Cohen help families maximize free money (scholarships & grants) and minimize student loan debt on the way to achieving college dreams.

MEFA

Saving for College
This webinar is for parents with children of all ages and describes information and resources that families can use to put a college savings plan in place. We answer questions such as: Why and how much should I save for college? When and how should I start? What is the best way to save? How will saving affect college financial aid? Watch to learn how to prepare best for college costs.

Tackling the College Savings Myths
Will saving for college hurt your chances for financial aid? And is it even worth saving if you can’t save much? We face these common questions about saving for college (and their underlying myths), and offer helpful information and facts in this short webinar.

The Benefits of Starting to Save for College Early
It’s never too late to start saving for college, but there are also significant benefits to starting your college savings plan early on in your child’s life. We explain why, and share some easy strategies for saving, in this short webinar.

Why it’s Critical you Save for College
Ever wonder how real families pay for college? A college savings account is so important in helping a family pay the college bill. In this short webinar you’ll learn how the college savings account plays a part in the college payment plan, and the shocking difference between saving and borrowing for college costs.

Whether you are saving for your own education or the education of a loved one, a 529 account can help you prepare for the future. Learn all about these tax-advantaged savings accounts in a webinar hosted by Mary Morris, former chair of CSF and currently the CEO of Virginia529, the nation’s largest 529 savings plan.

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
1300 Piccard Drive Suite LL14
Rockville, MD 20850
240.404.6478

Email: jdisanza@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!