College Savings Foundation

CSF Membership Form

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Membership Categories

Board Membership - Organizations that act as 529 Plan Program Managers, 529 Plan Investment Managers, State 529 Plan Sponsors and firms that offer enrollment in 529 college savings programs as a broker-dealer or otherwise. this level of membership sets direction for CSF, has voting rights and may serve as a committee chair. Board members are invited to attend high level meetings with key public policy makers including leadership in Congress and the Administration. In addition, CSF board members have access to Industry Reporting, surveys and Publications.

General Membership - These levels of membership participate in CSF activities and serve on committees, but cannot serve as a committee chair or vote at Board meetings. These members are invited to attend and participate in general meetings with policy makers.

Please select your Board Membership type: *

Board $20,000 - Firms with assets of $1 billion or more in 529 programs*

Board $10,000 - Firms with assets of less than $1 billion in 529 programs* and broker-dealer firms with financial advisor headcount exceeding 5,000.

* For determining the asset threshold, the combined asset program manager, investment only management, state sponsor or held as a broker-dealer will be considered. Asset determination will be made at the time the member initially joins CSF and then annually upon membership renewal. CSF may require a firm to certify that is 529 assets are under $1 billion.

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Sustaining Membership - Organizations or individuals that provide legal or other services, including bot not limited to general consulting and information technology, with respect to 529 plans and broker-dealer firms with financial advisor headcount between 1,000 and 4,999. Sustaining $5,000

Associate Membership - States and non profit organizations, sole proprietors and small businesses (less than 10 employees), education institutions, banks, credit unions, asset managers, accounting firms and broker-dealer firms with financial advisor headcount of less than 1,000 organizations that are supportive of the foundation and its mission. Associate $2,500

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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
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!