California's ScholarShare 529 is available to residents of any state. It offers a variety of investment options from TIAA-CREF, T. Rowe Price, Vanguard and others. While California does not offer a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan, Scholarshare allows contributions of any dollar amount, making it easy to get started.
- Program typeSavings
- Inception1999
- State agencyThe ScholarShare Investment Board (SIB) chaired by the State Treasurer
- Tax deduction
- Program ManagerTIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI)
- Program distributorTIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI)
Ratings & Rankings
Our overall rating for CA residents
This is a program that offers outstanding flexibility, attractive investments, and additional economic benefits (such as generous state tax incentives) that for some people, at least, will provide a substantial boost to their savings. There are few, if any, weaknesses noted in the program.
Our overall rating for non-residents
This is a program that offers outstanding flexibility, attractive investments, and additional economic benefits (such as generous state tax incentives) that for some people, at least, will provide a substantial boost to their savings. There are few, if any, weaknesses noted in the program.
SAVING FOR COLLEGE’S 5-Cap Ratings provides an evaluation and comparison of 529 plans, utilizing a formula that examines dozens of factors grouped into the following categories.
Eligibility
State residency requirements:
Who can be a participant/owner in the program?
Significant time or age restrictions imposed by the program:
Alternative 529 Plans
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You are not limited to opening your own state's 529 plan, so shop around. Here are some highly rated options to consider:
Plan
Our Rating
Fee Score
Performance
Contributions
Maximum contributions:
Minimum contributions:
Does the program offer an e-gifting platform for receiving gift contributions?
Investment Options
Age-based/Enrollment Year investment options:
View more age-based investment optionsStatic investment options:
View more static investment optionsUnderlying investments:
View a full list of this plan’s investment optionsUnderlying fund allocations:
Portfolio Fees & Performance Lookup
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A good place to start
Fees & Expenses
Enrollment or application fee:
Account maintenance fee:
Program management fees:
Expenses of the underlying investments:
Total asset-based expense ratio:
Taxes and other Benefits
- Tax deduction for single filersNone
- Tax deduction for joint filersNone
Note
California doesn't offer tax deductions
Program match on contributions:
State tax deduction or credit for contributions:
State tax recapture provisions:
State definition of qualified expenses
State tax treatment of qualified distributions:
State tax treatment of rollovers:
Does the sponsoring state exclude the value of an account for state financial aid purposes?
Does participation in the program provide beneficiaries with any advantages in qualifying for resident tuition status at state institutions?
Is there a rewards program or outside scholarship program that works with this program?
Upromise Helps Families Save for College
Statutory protection of an account from creditors:
Distributions & Terminations
To whom are distributions made payable:
Account Changes
Policy regarding participant/owner changes:
Documents, Access & Reporting
Does participant have online password-protected access to account?
Can the complete enrollment process including funding be done online?
Documents and other services accessible or downloadable on the program's public Web site:
Contact
Website:
Telephone:
http://twitter.com/scholarshare529