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College SAVE (Direct)

3.5 / 5

Our rating

Best ND resident benefits

ND resident benefits

North Dakota's College SAVE, managed by Ascensus College Savings, offers 9 investment options: three age-based options and six individual portfolios managed by Vanguard. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

College SAVE (Direct)

KEY METRICS

OVERVIEW

Program type

Savings

Inception

2001, but substantially changed in November 2006

State agency

Bank of North Dakota

Tax deduction

For single filers: $5,000/yr per beneficiary

For joint filers: $10,000/yr per beneficiary

Program manager

Ascensus College Savings

Program distributor

Ascensus College Savings

Manager contract term

MORE INFORMATION

Eligibility

State residency requirements:

None

Who can be a participant/owner in the program?

U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UTMA/ UGMA custodians, trusts, state/local governments, and 501(c)(3) organizations.

Significant time or age restrictions imposed by the program:

None

Contributions

Maximum contributions:

Accepts contributions until all account balances in North Dakota's 529 plan for the same beneficiary reach $269,000.

Minimum contributions:

The minimum initial contribution is $25.00 and the minimum subsequent contribution is $25.00 ($12.50 for payroll direct deposit.)

Does the program offer an e-gifting platform for receiving gift contributions?

This plan offers a robust gifting platform that allows gift-givers to save their own profile for recurring or future contributions.

SPONSORED

Other great plans to consider

You are not limited to your own state's 529 plan, so compare the plan and tax benefits offered by your state to other options. Here are some plans that are available to residents of any state and have earned awards in our 529 Plan Ratings:

Investment Options

Investors in College SAVE (Direct) can select from the following investment options. Click on a portfolio name for more information.

There are 3 age-based options (Conservative, Moderate, and Aggessive), each containing up to 5 investment portfolios. Contributions are placed into the portfolio corresponding to the selected option and age of the beneficiary, and later reassigned to more conservative portfolios as the withdrawal date draws nearer.
PortfolioE.R. % Equity1yr performance
Target Enrollment 2042/2043 Portfolio0.48%95%N/A
Target Enrollment 2040/2041 Portfolio0.48%91%N/A
Commencement Portfolio0.48%11.6%N/A
Target Enrollment 2038/2039 Portfolio0.48%83%N/A
Target Enrollment 2036/2037 Portfolio0.48%71%N/A
Target Enrollment 2034/2035 Portfolio0.48%59%N/A
Target Enrollment 2032/2033 Portfolio0.48%51%N/A
Target Enrollment 2030/2031 Portfolio0.48%38.27%N/A
Target Enrollment 2028/2029 Portfolio0.48%25.6%N/A
Target Enrollment 2026/2027 Portfolio0.48%19.33%N/A
Target Enrollment 2024/2025 Portfolio0.48%15.47%N/A

Age-based/Enrollment Year investment options:

There are 3 age-based options (Conservative, Moderate, and Aggessive), each containing up to 5 investment portfolios. Contributions are placed into the portfolio corresponding to the selected option and age of the beneficiary, and later reassigned to more conservative portfolios as the withdrawal date draws nearer.

Static investment options:

Six asset allocation portfolios are offered. The Aggressive Growth, Growth, Moderate Growth, and Conservative Growth portfolios invest in Vanguard stock and bond index funds. The Income Portfolio invests in Vanguard bond index funds, inflation-protected securities fund, and the Vanguard Short-Term Reserves Account. The Interest Accumulation Portfolio invests 100% in the Vanguard Short-Term Reserves Account.

Underlying investments:

Vanguard mutual funds.

Underlying fund allocations:

Portfolio Fees & Performance Lookup

Fees & Expenses

Enrollment or application fee:

None.

Account maintenance fee:

$20 annually, waived for : (i) Accounts with a Participant or Designated Beneficiary that is a resident of North Dakota; (ii) Accounts, established prior to February 28, 2002, with a Participant or Designated Beneficiary that was a resident of South Dakota at the time such Account was established; and (iii) Accounts in the New Baby Match, BND Match and Kindergarten Kickoff Match programs.

Program management fees:

0.44% to 0.46% (including 0.10% fee to the state)

Expenses of the underlying investments:

0.02% to 0.03%

Total asset-based expense ratio:

0.48%

Taxes and other Benefits

Tax deduction for single filers:

$5,000/yr per beneficiary

Tax deduction for joint filers:

$10,000/yr per beneficiary

Program match on contributions:

The BND Match Program provides a one-time match of contributions up to $300 per beneficiary for North Dakota participants and active duty military families with incomes below $80,000 (single) or $120,000 (joint). Contributions within 12 months of the account opening are eligible for the match. The beneficiary must be 15 years of age or younger. For participants with incomes below $60,000 (single) or $80,000 (joint), the match is available for an additional two years.

New Baby Match provides a North Dakota resident child 12 months or younger to be considered for a grant in the amount of $200. New Baby Match participants must enroll in CollegeSAVE and contribute $200 prior to the child's first birthday to qualify for the match.

Kindergarten Kickoff Match is a grant program that allows North Dakota children 5 or 6 years of age to be considered for a dollar for dollar match amount of up to $100. There are no family income restrictions.

State tax deduction or credit for contributions:

Contributions to the North Dakota 529 plan of up to $5,000 per year by an individual, and up to $10,000 per year by a married couple filing jointly, are deductible in computing North Dakota taxable income. Contribution deadline is December 31. Contributions may be used for K-12 Tuition Expenses without tax consequences.

Calculate your North Dakota 529 tax benefit

Find out how much you can save on state taxes this year by contributing to a North Dakota 529 plan.

Your tax savings per year
$0

Household income

$100,000

Monthly Contribution

$100

State tax recapture provisions:

"The tax benefits described in this Plan Disclosure Statement generally relate to federal tax benefits. State tax treatment may differ based on the state or states in which you pay taxes. You should consult with your tax advisor about any state or local taxes, including income, gift, estate, and GST taxes.

State definition of qualified expenses

The state conforms with the federal definition of qualified education expenses, which includes expenses for higher education, apprenticeship programs, interest and/or principal on qualified education loans up to a $10,000 lifetime cap, and up to $10,000 per year in tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. Distributions from a 529 account directly to a Roth IRA are considered a qualified expense for state income tax purposes.

State tax treatment of qualified distributions:

Qualified distributions from North Dakota and non-North Dakota 529 plans are exempt.

State tax treatment of rollovers:

North Dakota follows federal tax-free treatment.

Does the sponsoring state exclude the value of an account for state financial aid purposes?

No

Does participation in the program provide beneficiaries with any advantages in qualifying for resident tuition status at state institutions?

No

Is there a rewards program or outside scholarship program that works with this program?

Yes, the Upromise Rewards program can be linked to any 529 college savings plan. Upromise Rewards is free to join and offers members cash back for college.

Statutory protection of an account from creditors:

Distributions & Terminations

To whom are distributions made payable:

Eligible educational institution, beneficiary, or account owner, as directed by the account owner.

Account Changes

Policy regarding participant/owner changes:

Accepts requests to transfer account ownership.

Documents, Access & Reporting

Does participant have online password-protected access to account?

Yes

Can the complete enrollment process including funding be done online?

Yes

Documents and other services accessible or downloadable on the program's public Web site:

Contact

Website:

http://www.collegesave4u.com

Telephone:

1-866-728-3529

A good place to start:

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