COLLEGE SAVINGS 101

College savings

	Kids & college: Leveraging 6 milestones to generate savings Learn about six life events that serve as trigger points for you to check in on your 529 account and use a college savings calculator to make sure you�re on track. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings calculator \| \| 529 account \|
	Just released: Latest 529 plan 5-Cap Ratings Savingforcollege.com's latest 5-Cap Ratings are now available. These Ratings are calculated based on performance, costs, features, reliability, and a "Resident Upgrade" score as of March 31, 2017. \| 529 plans \| \| plan ratings \| \| rank \| \| college savings \|
	It's never too late to start your college plan It�s never too late to start saving for your child�s college education. Here are some tips for late stage planning strategies that won�t jeopardize your retirement. \| college \| \| planning \| \| 529 \| \| 529s \| \| college savings \| \| college save \|
	Experts say this is how much you should save for college A college degree could cost over $200,000 one day, but that doesn't mean you�ll pay that much out of pocket. Three experts give their advice on how much to save in a 529 plan. \| monthly savings \| \| college savings \| \| 529 \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \|
	What Trump's proposed budget cuts could mean for college savers President Trump�s new budget proposal focuses on simplifying federal student loan options and financial aid. See how this could affect your college savings strategy. \| Trump \| \| Proposed Cuts \| \| College Savings \| \| 529s \|
	Private College 529 and college savings plans: A perfect pair The Private College 529 Plan can be an excellent complement to a 529 savings plan. Here�s how using these two vehicles together can help maximize savings. \| Private College 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| College Savings \| \| Prepaid 529 \|
	Top ten direct-sold plans The highly-anticipated Savingforcollege.com 529 plan rankings are here! This slideshow features our most recent top ten list of direct-sold 529 plans for one-year investment performance. Three-year performance rankings as of 12/31/2016 \| Direct-sold 529 \|* \| 529s \| \| college savings plans \| \| college saving plans \| \| score \| \| best plan \|
	9 college savings tips to start the year off right The New Year is the perfect time to review your 529 college savings plan strategy. Learn about how these nine tips can help achieve your goals in 2017. \| saving for college \| \| new year \| \| new year resolution \| \| 529 plan \| \| enroll now \| \| cost of college \| \| 529 plan performance \| \| college savings planner \|
	The Best Way to Save For College Live Q&A Event Second only to retirement, planning for your children�s college education is one of the most important financial decisions your family has to make. \| Judy Minsk \| \| save for college \| \| q&a college savings \|
	How much could you save for college by not buying these top toys? Putting the money into a college fund is something that should be on everyone�s mind this holiday season. Learn how much you could save by not buying toys this year. \| 529 \| \| College Savings \|
	Just announced: Best 529 plans for 2016 Savingforcollege.com and Morningstar both rank 529 plans. Here's why it's important to explore them both. \| best 529 plan \| \| best college savings plan \| \| morningstar \| \| ranked \| \| 529 \|
	New study: Are men too confident about college savings? Or are women too pessimistic? According to Savingforcollege.com's Annual College Savings Survey, a person's gender may impact the way they save and pay for college. What's more, these differences may exist across a broader spectrum of financial attitudes and behaviors. \| College Savings \| \| Men \|
	Study reveals parents could have saved $20,000 more for college Fidelity Investments' launched their 10th�Annual�College Savings Indicator Study. \| college savings \| \| college savers \| \| college saving \| \| Fidelity \|
	Understanding 529 expenses An explanation of the four major categories of 529 plan fees and expenses and how to compare between plans. \| Understanding \| \| 529 expenses \| \| advisor-sold \| \| 529 \| \| section 529 plans \| \| college savings plans \| \| \|
	Using multiple 529 plans There are several reasons why someone might want to open accounts in more than one 529 plan. \| multiple 529 plans \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	How to select investments in a 529 plan When setting up a 529 savings plan, you�ll need to choose an investment option. Learn about the three different types of options available and how they can help you meet your goals. \| 529 \| \| enrollment \| \| investment \| \| college savings \|
	5 ways to tell if you're using the wrong 529 plan There are over 100 different 529 plans available - so how can you be sure that you�re using the best plan to suit your family�s needs? Here are five red flags to look out for: \| preformance \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| tax deduction \|
	The Wealthfront 529 College Savings Plan: Is college investing with a robo-advisor right for you? Recently announced state-sponsored 529 college savings plan to complement its existing suite of investment products, see what this means for families saving for college. \| wealthfront \| \| 529 \| \| 529s \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	College Savings by the Numbers Think about how much you want to save for college, the strategies you�re using to do so, and any extra steps you can take to boost your efforts. \| Keith Bernhardt \| \| Fidelity \| \| Taxes \| \| College Saving \| \| College Savings \| \| rewards \| \| \|
	Are parents getting savvier about saving for college? The results of two recent surveys reveal that there's still an opportunity for Savingforcollege.com and financial advisors to educate families about the importance of including college savings in their overall financial plan. \| College Savings \| \| College Money \| \| Survey \| \| Education \|
	Introducing the new and improved SFC community forum Our readers can share tips, ask questions and get advice from each other on our newly designed community message board. \| message board \| \| tips \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	Busting the top 7 myths about prepaid tuition plans To help you better understand the prepaid tuition plans and how they work, here are some common myths and the facts that bust them. \| prepaid \| \| college savings \|
	Small Changes Can Lead to Big College Savings in 2016 There's no better time than the present to bolster your college savings. \| college savings \| \| Keith Bernhardt \| \| \|
	4 tips to make the most of scholarships The same vigilance that was used to earn a scholarship is critical if you're going to use the money properly. Here are four tips for helping students get the most out of their reward. \| college savings \| \| scholarships \| \| financial aid \|
	Top college savings stories of 2015 Here's a list of our most-read articles of the year, and many offer tips and advice that can be used throughout 2016 as well. \| 529s \| \| college savings \| \| parents \| \| education benefits \| \| gap year \|
	New tax bill brings improvements to education benefits Families saving for college with a 529 plan may want to review their 2015 qualified expenses. \| ABLE act \| \| PATH \| \| College Savings \| \| College Save \| \| 529 Plans \| \| 529's \| \| 529 Plan \| \| \|
	New study from Fidelity shows why money for college makes a smart gift How soon will your kids lose interest in the toys they receive this holiday? \| Fidelity \| \| Gifting 529 \| \| 529 \| \| College Savings \| \| Inforgraphics \|
	How much can you contribute to a 529 plan in 2015? Make the most of your tax-advantaged savings accounts. \| tax-advantaged \| \| savings \| \| 529 college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| gift tax \|
	5 year end tax tips for college savers Parents and grandparents who use 529 plans to save for college are eligible for a number of tax benefits. This checklist will help you maximize your savings in 2016. \| Tax Benefits \| \| College Savings \| \| Gifting \| \| QHEE \|
	Investing trends of 529 college savers Find out how other 529 account owners are investing in their plans, and learn some best practices to help you make better choices for your own 529 plan investments. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings plan \| \| saving for college \| \| Vanguard \| \| investments \| \| investing \| \| investment options \|
	5 habits of successful college savers If you're looking to maximize your savings potential, there's more to it than blindly socking money away. Here are six habits of truly successful college savers. \| saving for college \| \| money habits \| \| saving money \| \| budget \| \| college savings \|
	How to Save for College in the Big Ten States Just for fun, here�s a look at college savings plan options from the 11 states that are home to Big Ten college football teams: \| saving for college \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings month \| \| football \| \| tax deduction \|
	Five simple steps to enrolling in a 529 plan Wondering just to how go about opening a 529 plan? You're not alone! According to our 2nd annual Annual College Savings Survey, 86 percent of those who intend to open a 529 plan don't know the steps involved. Don't worry - we're here to help! \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plan enrollment \| \| investments \| \| age-based investments \| \| open a 529 plan \| \| saving for college \| \| college savings \| \| 529 contribution \| \| beneficiary \|
	Don't Let These Myths Muddle College Savings See the results of Fidelity recently College Savings Indicator Study. \| \|
	#TBT College savings: Then and Now For the past nine years, Fidelity�s College Savings Indicator Study has revealed just how much American families are putting away for college. Read more. \| \|
	76 percent of families have college funds by first grade According to new data from the College Savings Foundation, more and more parents are saving for college while their child is still very young. Here's why starting to save early and using a 529 plan is a winning combination. \| saving for college \| \| college savings month \| \| 529 plan \| \| parenting \| \| paying for college \|
	I won't qualify for financial aid, but I still need help paying for college What can you do if you make too much for financial aid, but not enough to pay for college out of pocket? \| college savings \| \| high-income \| \| fund 529 \| \| tuition tax breaks \| \| American Opportunity Tax Credit \|
	7 money management tips to save more for college Boost your college savings efforts, with the following seven money management tips can help get you off on the right foot. \| College costs \| \| Lower Monthly Bills \| \| College Savings \|
	College Savings Timeline: Time to get in gear Even if your child has less than 18 years until college, you still have plenty of time to grow significant savings. Here are five things to focus on if college is 10 years away. \| college savings \| \| 10 years to college \| \| grade school \| \| scholarships \| \| 529 plans \| \| age-based investments \| \| asset allocation \| \| resume \| \| application \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \|
	[VIDEO] What is a qualified expense? These are all common questions we hear from families related to 529s. \| 529 common questions \| \| college savings \| \| withdrawal 529 \| \| qualified 529 expenses \|
	College Savings Timeline: New beginnings For those of you who are about to enter the world of parenthood � Congratulations! Believe it or not, this is the ideal time to start a college savings fund. Here are five steps to get started today. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| new baby \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \|
	Five questions to ask yourself when choosing a college savings strategy College can be one of the largest expenses a family will ever face. There are a number of different options available to help you reach your goal, and here are a few things to consider before choosing the one that�s right for you. \| 529 plan \| \| college \| \| college savings \| \| college savings options \| \| investment option \| \| age-based \| \| fees and expenses \| \| tax benefits \|
	How much can parents really save for college by giving up Starbucks? Giving up five trips to Starbucks and one meal out per week you could save enough to cover a full year of private school tuition in 18 years. \| Starbucks \| \| College Savings \| \| Sallie Mae \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] Top Misconceptions About College Savings: Do You Know the Answers? Our annual survey revealed that many families are still confused about how 529 plans work. Learn about the biggest misconceptions. \| Annual Survey \| \| College Savings \| \| Grandparents \|
	529 Day Webcast Recap Did you miss our 529 Day live Q&A webinar? Here's a recap of all the great college savings topics that were covered. \| 529 Day \| \| College Savings Bank \| \| 529 Plans \| \| College Savings \|
	It Pays to Start Saving: 5 Ways to Get Started Now Saving 100% of what you need for college may be difficult, any savings will open options and reduce the need to take on student debt. \| student debt \| \| fidelity \| \| save \| \| college \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	529 Day Webcast - Meet the experts Don't miss our 529 Day Webcast taking place on May 29th! Learn more about the panel of leading industry experts who will be answering your college savings questions. \| 529 day \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| college savings experts \| \| ny times \| \| Forbes \| \| Tara Siegel Bernard \| \| Lynn O'Shaughnessy \| \| Joseph Hurley \| \| Troy Onink \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| webcast \|
	529 reasons to save for college with a 529 plan We're celebrating 529 Day this year in a BIG way by compiling a list of 529 reasons to open a 529 plan! To kick things off, here are some great reasons from a few of our favorite industry experts. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 Day \| \| college savings \| \| 529 college savings plan \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| May 29 \|
	9 ways America's college savings habits have changed Sallie Mae's 2015 'How America Pays For College' report is fairly consistent with 2014's findings in how American families prepare for the costs of higher education. Here are 9 changes in some saving attitudes and behaviors that we thought we worth noting. \| college savings \| \| Sallie Mae \| \| 529 plan \| \| parents \| \| college \| \| paying for college \| \| cost of college \|
	Are U.S. Savings Bonds still an effective way to save for college? Way back before smart phones, Netflix and Facebook, many families were using savings bonds as a way to set aside money for college. If you're still holding on to your bonds - is it time for an upgrade? \| savings bonds \| \| US savings bonds \| \| EE savings bonds \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| savings bonds vs 529 plan \| \| saving for college \| \| financial aid \|
	10 things you can learn about saving for college from Game of Thrones What can Jon Snow, Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister teach you about planning for college? Find out in this fun Game of Thrones slideshow. \| Game of Thones \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| student loans \| \| estate taxes \| \| 529 plans \| \| cost of college \| \| college savings calculators \|
	What is your state doing to promote saving for college? As tuition prices continue to skyrocket, many states are actively trying to raise awareness about the importance of saving for college. At this year's College Savings Foundation Conference, representatives from several states shared their thoughts with us on the best ways to promote saving for college. \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| states \| \| MEFA \| \| NEST \| \| FAME \| \| planning for college \| \| paying for college \| \| matching grants \|
	College Savings April Foolery Don't be tricked this April Fools Day! Make sure you do your research so that you know exactly what the best strategy is to help you meet your college savings goals. \| 529 plan \| \| april fools day \| \| college savings \| \| save for college \| \| retirement accounts \| \| 401k \| \| savings accounts \| \| college savings options \|
	[PODCAST] Melinda Lewis on the relationship between college savings and student debt Just how much of an effect does a college fund have on the likelihood that a student will have to borrow? In this podcast, Kathryn Flynn and Melinda Lewis discuss new research on the relationship between saving for college and student debt. \| savings vs loans \| \| college savings \| \| student debt \| \| student loans \| \| college savings plan \| \| 529 plan \|
	Does your employer help you save for college? Many workers feel that help with saving for college is a key piece missing from their benefits package. Kathryn Flynn and Christian Duffus of LEAF College Savings discuss why we rarely see college savings plans offered as employee benefits. \| saving for college \| \| employee benefits \| \| college savings plans \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| paying for college \|
	5 ways to grow your 529 pot o' gold Even if you can't depend on the luck of the Irish to help you afford college tuition, here are five simple ways you can use a 529 plan to grow your own pot of gold for college! \| 529 plan \| \| 529 college savings plan \| \| saving for college \| \| St. Patricks Day \| \| pot of gold \| \| Irish \| \| tax benefits \| \| tax return \|
	Nine reasons why every 'Modern Family' needs a 529 plan The following slideshow looks at one of America�s favorite unconventional families and how each member can enjoy the benefits of a 529 plan. \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| 529 plans \| \| Modern Family \| \| saving for multiple children \| \| five year election \| \| college savings \|
	Savingforcollege.com's March Photo Madness To get in the spirit of the upcoming March Madness basketball tournament, we're giving you the opportunity to win some great prizes. Enter our Facebook photo contest for a chance to win a $250 cash scholarship and two fitbits! \| saving for college \| \| scholarship \| \| March Madness \| \| basketball \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings planner \| \| photo contest \| \| facebook \|
	Financial Aid - Five crucial tips There are many sources of financial aid available, learn more about them. \| College Savings \| \| Financial Aid \|
	It's that time of year again - the 40-Day College Savings Challenge Join us again this year and challenge yourself to find room in your family budget for college savings. Keep track of what you're able to save for the next 40 days, and keep us posted on how it's going! \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| 529 plan \| \| Lent \| \| challenge \|
	10 things we love most about 529 plans Getting to college without going into excessive debt isn�t easy, but it�s also not impossible. Here are 10 reasons why we think 529 plans are the most effective way for families to save for college. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| tax benefits \| \| financial aid \| \| contribution limits \| \| fees and expenses \|
	529 plans and their tax benefits are here to stay College savers can now breathe a sigh of relief as the President plans to drop his proposal to eliminate tax-free withdrawals of 529 college savings plans. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings plan \| \| obama \| \| tax \| \| withdrawals \| \| tax proposal \|
	[PODCAST] How to give a gift of college savings Happy holidays! In this new podcast, Joe Hurley and Kathryn Flynn discuss why a contribution to a 529 plan can be a more meaningful gift for a child than a toy or cash. \| podcast \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| holiday \| \| 529 plan contribution \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| grandparents \|
	Be the Quarterback of Your College Savings Team Steps to help accelerate college savings plan. \| 529 \| \| college savings plan \| \| research \| \| 529 growth \| \| fidelity \| \| Keith Bernhardt \| \| Bernhardt \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] College Savings Month Survey results This year's College Savings Month survey revealed what factors families feel are most important when choosing a 529 plan. View our new infographic to see a summary of the findings. \| infographic \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| survey \| \| choosing a 529 plan \| \| tax benefits \|
	Savingforcollege.com's College Savings Month festivities To celebrate College Savings Month, we�re featuring exciting new content dedicated to sharing our knowledge and answering your questions regarding 529 college savings plans and other planning tools. Here�s a quick list of what we�re currently offering. \| college savings month \| \| webcast \| \| podcast \| \| 529 plan \| \| saving for college \| \| Joseph Hurley \|
	[PODCAST] Getting started with a 529 plan - Step 2: Opening your account Tune in to the next episode in our podcast series and listen to Joe Hurley and Kathryn Flynn's discussion on what you need to do to set up your 529 college savings account. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| podcast \| \| college planning \| \| investment \|
	Why you should teach your kids about money Studies have shown that kids who are involved in family finances are much more likely to save money themselves, yet many parents still have reluctance when it comes to discussing financial matters with their kids. \| financial literacy \| \| kids \| \| money \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| \|
	How college savings can make a great gift Here's a great gift-giving idea that you can incorporate annually into your child's life, and even put a college-savings spin on it. \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| graduation \| \| qualified expenses \|
	Six calculators to help you save for college We are constantly striving to come up with new and improved tools that will help you answer some of your toughest college savings questions. See how these six calculators can assist you with your budgeting and planning decisions: \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| calculators \| \| student loans \| \| cost of college \| \| saving for college \| \| tax benefits \| \| scholarships \|
	When your child wants to attend a U.S. Military Academy What happens if families who have been diligently saving for college with a 529 plan have a child who plans to attend a military academy? \| college savings \| \| military \| \| paying for college \| \| scholarship \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plan withdrawal \| \| tuition \|
	Facebook contest: Share your proudest moment as a parent or grandparent! This month, we�re offering a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card just for sharing a photo of your proudest parent or grandparent moment with us. Post your proudest moment on our Facebook wall for your chance to win! \| facebook \| \| photo sharing \| \| proudest parent \| \| college savings \| \| graduation \|
	Congratulations to our 529 Day winner: Another great success! This May 29th, affectionately known to the industry as 529 Day, was especially memorable for Rochelle Blee, the winner of our 529 Day celebration giveaway. \| 529 day \| \| webcast \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| grandparents \| \| estate planning \| \| college planning \|
	Top five ways to spend 529 savings Withdrawals from a 529 plan must be spent on qualified higher education expenses to avoid tax and penalty. Just what types of college expenses are qualified? \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| qualified expenses \| \| 529 plan withdrawals \| \| paying for college \| \| tuition \| \| room and board \| \| equipment \| \| special needs equipment \|
	College savings success stories: Anonymous tips Last week we received some great advice on our message board explaining how to get the best education "bang for your buck". Consider these tips to create a well-rounded college funding strategy. \| college savings \| \| 529 plans \| \| community college \| \| cutting college costs \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| ROI \|
	10 reasons to give the gift of college education Looking for the perfect gift? Whether you are shopping for a kindergartener, eighth grader or even a high school student, here are 10 reasons why a contribution to a college savings fund will always be appreciated. \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| graduation \| \| graduation gift \| \| 529 plan contribution \| \| state tax benefits \| \| grandparents \|
	Four easy ways shoppers can become college savers If saving for college while you shop sounds like your cup of tea, you might want to consider a credit card that will pay you back in the form of 529 plan contributions. Here are four credit cards that offer college savings rewards. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| upromise \| \| credit cards \| \| rewards credit cards \| \| rewards points \|
	VIDEO - Which 529 plan is best for me? With hundreds of different options available, how do you know which 529 plan to choose? In this video, Joe Hurley points out the features you should look for when you shop for a 529 plan. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| college savings day \| \| 529 day \| \| saving for college \| \| choosing a 529 plan \| \| national college savings day \|
	Student loan rate hikes give more reason to save Beginning July 1, we will see a 0.8% increase in interest rates on all federal student loans. If you were planning on taking out loans to pay for college, you may want to rethink your strategy. \| college \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| student loans \| \| interest rates \| \| interest rate increase \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings day \| \| 529 day \| \| cost of college \|
	College Savings Timeline: The home stretch You�re the parent of a high school junior, which means in just two years your child will be on his or her way to college. In this week�s College Savings Timeline, we discuss the five most important college planning steps for the final years of high school. \| 529 plans \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| high school \| \| scholarships \| \| financial aid \| \| SAT \| \| ACT \| \| FAFSA \|
	Top four savings essentials for young families Having kids and the expenses to go with them can sometimes put savings goals on hold. Whether your first baby just arrived or your oldest is headed to middle school, it�s never too late to get your family�s savings plan back on track. Here are four tips on how to get started. \| personal finance \| \| tips for saving \| \| college savings \| \| saving money \| \| family \| \| young family \| \| budgeting \|
	529 Day Q&A Webcast hosted by Savingforcollege.com Mark your calendars! In honor of 529 Day, Thursday, May 29th at 1:00pm ET Savingforcollege.com is hosting a live webcast featuring the industry�s top experts. This is your chance to ask questions regarding 529 plans, financial aid and where college savings fits into your family�s financial plan. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| 529 day \| \| college savings \| \| webinar \| \| webcast \| \| q&a \| \| college savings questions \| \| 529 plan myths \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] The History of the 529 Plan Take a look at our newest infographic to see some important dates in the lifetime of the 529 plan, and how it has evolved to the great college savings vehicle that it is today. \| 529 plan \| \| 528 college savings plan \| \| infographic \| \| history of 529 plan \| \| how to save for college \| \| saving for college \|
	Five of the best college savings apps In addition to allowing you to track funds in a bank or investment account, there are also mobile apps available that offer some fantastic planning tools. This slide show highlights five apps that help parents, students and grandparents plan for the future costs of college. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| smart phone \| \| smart phone app \| \| college savings app \| \| paying for college \| \| financial planning \| \| technology \|
	College savings success stories: The 529 Guru's story This week, we asked our very own Savingforcollege.com founder and "529 Guru", Joe Hurley, to share how he used his expertise to pay for the college education of his own two children. \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| success story \| \| 529 guru \| \| joe hurley \| \| room and board \| \| scholarship \|
	College Savings Timeline: Now entering the world of high school Here are some things you can do in the next four years of high school to ensure an easy transition that won't leave your child burdened with excessive debt. \| savings \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| high school \| \| teenager \| \| scholarships \| \| AP \| \| planning for college \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \|
	Do 529 plans beat their benchmark? A recent analysis conducted by Joe Hurley finds that historically when their unique benefits are taken into account, 529 plans can be a very lucrative choice when saving for college. \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| mutual funds \| \| college \| \| college investing \| \| saving for college \| \| tax benefits \| \| benchmarks \| \| investment strategies \|
	College savings success stories: Family of seven This week, author Katie Flynn will be telling her own college savings success story. She explains how her parents got Katie and her four siblings through college successfully - an incredible feat! \| college savings \| \| how they did it \| \| success stories \| \| scholarships \| \| loans \| \| 529 plans \| \| work study \| \| in-state schools \|
	5 ways to cut college costs The last thing you want is to have your child graduate college burdened with student loans. Here are five ways anyone can put away extra money for college, regardless of income. \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| student loans \| \| higher education \| \| scholarships \| \| room and board \| \| cost of tuition \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 college savings plan \|
	College savings success stories: Our own success We thought you might be interested in how saving for college worked for our own families. This week�s success story comes from our very own Chief Operating Officer, Marie Osypian. \| scholarships \| \| work study \| \| loans \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| college savings \| \| success stories \|
	10 investing terms every college saver should understand In honor of Financial Literacy Month, here�s a quick rundown of ten often-misunderstood investing terms that you�re likely to come across when choosing a saving strategy. \| college savings \| \| financial literacy month \| \| investing \| \| 529 plans \| \| investment terms \| \| investment \|
	Top 529 plans to follow on twitter To help you keep up-to-date with the latest college savings news, here is a list of the most active plans on twitter. Follow away! \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| twitter \| \| tweet \| \| social \| \| college savings news \|
	College savings success stories: The Rickman family Our first college savings success story features the Rickman family, who demonstrate the significant savings of having their children attend school in-state. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| how to save for college \| \| in-state college \| \| in-state tuition \| \| success \|
	Clearing up the confusion: Five popular 529 plan myths Recent survey data has indicated that parents' misunderstanding of 529 plans may be a significant barrier to their use of them. In this slideshow we present five of the biggest 529 plan myths along with the facts to set the record straight. \| college savings \| \| slideshow \| \| 529 plans \| \| 529 plan \| \| myths \| \| scholarships \| \| financial aid \| \| tax benefits \| \| tax penalty \| \| college savings \| \| college savings options \|
	20 people on Twitter who can help you save for college Whether you�re actively saving for college or just starting to think about it, here�s a list of 20 people whose tweets will help guide you through the college planning process. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| twitter \| \| experts \| \| follow \| \| college savings experts \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: An opportunity to educate Experts agree that there is a strong need for education on financial products and services, and that the younger these topics are introduced, the better. This includes the area of 529 plans, where confusion is still common. \| 529 plan \| \| misconceptions \| \| financial literacy \| \| college savings \| \| college savings survey \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \|
	Truth be told - Common 529 plan misconceptions The results of our Annual College Savings Survey show that there are still many people who are unclear about the functionality of 529 plans. In this post, we discuss six common misconceptions and reveal the correct answers to help clear up some of the confusion. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| parents \| \| grandparents \| \| myths \| \| financial aid \| \| scholarships \| \| tax deductions \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: All that you can leave behind As college costs in America rise faster than the rate of inflation and total student loan debt surpasses $1 trillion, more relatives are exploring the idea of helping pay tuition for grandchildren, nieces and nephews. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| grandparents \| \| pay for college \| \| save for college \| \| student loans \| \| financial aid \| \| required minimum distributions \| \| college savings survey \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: Direct- or advisor-sold 529 plan? Our survey results indicate many of our readers feel comfortable selecting their own investments, but there may be situations in which an advisor-sold 529 plan could be a better fit. Here are a few key questions to ask yourself: \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| direct-sold 529 \| \| advisor-sold 529 \| \| fees \| \| financial advisor \| \| financial planner \| \| investment options \| \| active management \| \| index funds \|
	Are 529 plans doing the job? Total assets in 529 plans, which stood at $227 billion as of December 31, 2013, saw a 19% increase over the previous year's $190 billion total. Sounds pretty good, right? Actually, it�s a bit disappointing to me. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| 529 \| \| college savings \| \| 2013 report \| \| 529 assets \| \| College Savings Plans Network \| \| Forbes \| \| 529 plan growth \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: Make the most of your savings As promised, here is the first in a series of blog posts based on the results of our Annual College Savings survey. We begin by examining how our readers are currently saving for college and why. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| college savings survey \| \| 529 plan benefits \| \| tax benefits \| \| tax deduction \| \| saving for college \|
	The 529 plan Pot O' Gold is growing! Many future college students should be feeling lucky this St. Patrick�s Day. A recent report announced that total investments in 529 college savings plans hit a record level of $227 billion. However, families still have a long way to get to the end of the rainbow. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| st. patricks day \| \| 529 plan assets \| \| college costs \| \| higher education \| \| grandparents \| \| 529 plan contributions \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] How much do you need to save for college? Our latest infographic looks at the actual expenses related to higher education and how American families are footing the bill to pay for college. \| infographic \| \| college \| \| college costs \| \| 529 \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| college cost calculator \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \|
	The Bank of Grandma and Grandpa - New video featuring our very own Joe Hurley! In the following video Joseph Hurley, Founder of Savingforcollege.com, explains the different ways Grandparents can assist with paying for tuition, taking issues like financial aid and taxes into consideration. \| grandparents \| \| saving for college \| \| 529 plans \| \| financial aid \| \| gift tax \| \| college \| \| college savings \|
	The 2014 Annual College Savings Survey Results The Annual College Savings Survey was designed to shed light on consumer beliefs and actions in relation to 529 plans. The results uncovered a number of key findings that we are excited to share with our readers in a new series of blog posts. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| survey \| \| families \| \| financial advisors \| \| education \| \| choosing a 529 plan \|
	The 40-Day College Savings Challenge Regardless of your religious beliefs, Lent can be a great time to focus on good spending habits. Over the next 40 days, we challenge our readers to find ways to cut their budget and make room for college savings. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| lent \| \| fat tuesday \| \| saving money \| \| budget \|
	Tax reform and 529 plans Joe shares his thoughts on the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's recently-proposed comprehensive tax reform package and its effect on tax incentives for education. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| tax reform \| \| Internal Revenue Code \| \| Chairman Dave Camp \| \| tax incentives \| \| education tax incentives \|
	Welcome to the new and improved Savingforcollege.com Blog! Whether you are a new parent, grandparent or professional advisor, we are committed to offering the most timely and relevant college savings content while encouraging interaction, comments and feedback. \| college savings \| \| 529 plans \| \| financial aid \| \| coverdell esas \| \| scholarships \| \| student loans \| \| Joe Hurley \|
	America's Parents Get a B-Minus on Their College Savings Report Card When we asked parents to grade their college savings progress, they gave themselves a B-minus. While there�s definitely room for improvement to bump that to an �A,� we found that many are taking steps in the right direction, with more families saving in 529 college savings plans (up 5% from 2012) and 61% having a financial plan in place to help reach college goals. \| College Savings \| \| American Families \| \| 529 Plan \|

Top 529 College Savings Plans

One-year rankings are based on a plan's average investment returns over the last 12 months.

	State	Plan Name
1	Indiana	CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan
2	West Virginia	SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan
3	Delaware	Delaware College Investment Plan

	State	Plan Name
1	Ohio	Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage
2	West Virginia	SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan
3	Delaware	Delaware College Investment Plan

	State	Plan Name
1	Ohio	Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage
2	New York	New York's 529 College Savings Program -- Direct Plan
3	Indiana	CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan

View Full List Find Plans in your State

	Kids & college: Leveraging 6 milestones to generate savings Learn about six life events that serve as trigger points for you to check in on your 529 account and use a college savings calculator to make sure you�re on track. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings calculator \| \| 529 account \|
	Just released: Latest 529 plan 5-Cap Ratings Savingforcollege.com's latest 5-Cap Ratings are now available. These Ratings are calculated based on performance, costs, features, reliability, and a "Resident Upgrade" score as of March 31, 2017. \| 529 plans \| \| plan ratings \| \| rank \| \| college savings \|
	It's never too late to start your college plan It�s never too late to start saving for your child�s college education. Here are some tips for late stage planning strategies that won�t jeopardize your retirement. \| college \| \| planning \| \| 529 \| \| 529s \| \| college savings \| \| college save \|
	Experts say this is how much you should save for college A college degree could cost over $200,000 one day, but that doesn't mean you�ll pay that much out of pocket. Three experts give their advice on how much to save in a 529 plan. \| monthly savings \| \| college savings \| \| 529 \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \|
	What Trump's proposed budget cuts could mean for college savers President Trump�s new budget proposal focuses on simplifying federal student loan options and financial aid. See how this could affect your college savings strategy. \| Trump \| \| Proposed Cuts \| \| College Savings \| \| 529s \|
	Private College 529 and college savings plans: A perfect pair The Private College 529 Plan can be an excellent complement to a 529 savings plan. Here�s how using these two vehicles together can help maximize savings. \| Private College 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| College Savings \| \| Prepaid 529 \|
	Top ten direct-sold plans The highly-anticipated Savingforcollege.com 529 plan rankings are here! This slideshow features our most recent top ten list of direct-sold 529 plans for one-year investment performance. Three-year performance rankings as of 12/31/2016 \| Direct-sold 529 \|* \| 529s \| \| college savings plans \| \| college saving plans \| \| score \| \| best plan \|
	9 college savings tips to start the year off right The New Year is the perfect time to review your 529 college savings plan strategy. Learn about how these nine tips can help achieve your goals in 2017. \| saving for college \| \| new year \| \| new year resolution \| \| 529 plan \| \| enroll now \| \| cost of college \| \| 529 plan performance \| \| college savings planner \|
	The Best Way to Save For College Live Q&A Event Second only to retirement, planning for your children�s college education is one of the most important financial decisions your family has to make. \| Judy Minsk \| \| save for college \| \| q&a college savings \|
	How much could you save for college by not buying these top toys? Putting the money into a college fund is something that should be on everyone�s mind this holiday season. Learn how much you could save by not buying toys this year. \| 529 \| \| College Savings \|
	Just announced: Best 529 plans for 2016 Savingforcollege.com and Morningstar both rank 529 plans. Here's why it's important to explore them both. \| best 529 plan \| \| best college savings plan \| \| morningstar \| \| ranked \| \| 529 \|
	New study: Are men too confident about college savings? Or are women too pessimistic? According to Savingforcollege.com's Annual College Savings Survey, a person's gender may impact the way they save and pay for college. What's more, these differences may exist across a broader spectrum of financial attitudes and behaviors. \| College Savings \| \| Men \|
	Study reveals parents could have saved $20,000 more for college Fidelity Investments' launched their 10th�Annual�College Savings Indicator Study. \| college savings \| \| college savers \| \| college saving \| \| Fidelity \|
	Understanding 529 expenses An explanation of the four major categories of 529 plan fees and expenses and how to compare between plans. \| Understanding \| \| 529 expenses \| \| advisor-sold \| \| 529 \| \| section 529 plans \| \| college savings plans \| \| \|
	Using multiple 529 plans There are several reasons why someone might want to open accounts in more than one 529 plan. \| multiple 529 plans \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	How to select investments in a 529 plan When setting up a 529 savings plan, you�ll need to choose an investment option. Learn about the three different types of options available and how they can help you meet your goals. \| 529 \| \| enrollment \| \| investment \| \| college savings \|
	5 ways to tell if you're using the wrong 529 plan There are over 100 different 529 plans available - so how can you be sure that you�re using the best plan to suit your family�s needs? Here are five red flags to look out for: \| preformance \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| tax deduction \|
	The Wealthfront 529 College Savings Plan: Is college investing with a robo-advisor right for you? Recently announced state-sponsored 529 college savings plan to complement its existing suite of investment products, see what this means for families saving for college. \| wealthfront \| \| 529 \| \| 529s \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	College Savings by the Numbers Think about how much you want to save for college, the strategies you�re using to do so, and any extra steps you can take to boost your efforts. \| Keith Bernhardt \| \| Fidelity \| \| Taxes \| \| College Saving \| \| College Savings \| \| rewards \| \| \|
	Are parents getting savvier about saving for college? The results of two recent surveys reveal that there's still an opportunity for Savingforcollege.com and financial advisors to educate families about the importance of including college savings in their overall financial plan. \| College Savings \| \| College Money \| \| Survey \| \| Education \|
	Introducing the new and improved SFC community forum Our readers can share tips, ask questions and get advice from each other on our newly designed community message board. \| message board \| \| tips \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	Busting the top 7 myths about prepaid tuition plans To help you better understand the prepaid tuition plans and how they work, here are some common myths and the facts that bust them. \| prepaid \| \| college savings \|
	Small Changes Can Lead to Big College Savings in 2016 There's no better time than the present to bolster your college savings. \| college savings \| \| Keith Bernhardt \| \| \|
	4 tips to make the most of scholarships The same vigilance that was used to earn a scholarship is critical if you're going to use the money properly. Here are four tips for helping students get the most out of their reward. \| college savings \| \| scholarships \| \| financial aid \|
	Top college savings stories of 2015 Here's a list of our most-read articles of the year, and many offer tips and advice that can be used throughout 2016 as well. \| 529s \| \| college savings \| \| parents \| \| education benefits \| \| gap year \|
	New tax bill brings improvements to education benefits Families saving for college with a 529 plan may want to review their 2015 qualified expenses. \| ABLE act \| \| PATH \| \| College Savings \| \| College Save \| \| 529 Plans \| \| 529's \| \| 529 Plan \| \| \|
	New study from Fidelity shows why money for college makes a smart gift How soon will your kids lose interest in the toys they receive this holiday? \| Fidelity \| \| Gifting 529 \| \| 529 \| \| College Savings \| \| Inforgraphics \|
	How much can you contribute to a 529 plan in 2015? Make the most of your tax-advantaged savings accounts. \| tax-advantaged \| \| savings \| \| 529 college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| gift tax \|
	5 year end tax tips for college savers Parents and grandparents who use 529 plans to save for college are eligible for a number of tax benefits. This checklist will help you maximize your savings in 2016. \| Tax Benefits \| \| College Savings \| \| Gifting \| \| QHEE \|
	Investing trends of 529 college savers Find out how other 529 account owners are investing in their plans, and learn some best practices to help you make better choices for your own 529 plan investments. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings plan \| \| saving for college \| \| Vanguard \| \| investments \| \| investing \| \| investment options \|
	5 habits of successful college savers If you're looking to maximize your savings potential, there's more to it than blindly socking money away. Here are six habits of truly successful college savers. \| saving for college \| \| money habits \| \| saving money \| \| budget \| \| college savings \|
	How to Save for College in the Big Ten States Just for fun, here�s a look at college savings plan options from the 11 states that are home to Big Ten college football teams: \| saving for college \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings month \| \| football \| \| tax deduction \|
	Five simple steps to enrolling in a 529 plan Wondering just to how go about opening a 529 plan? You're not alone! According to our 2nd annual Annual College Savings Survey, 86 percent of those who intend to open a 529 plan don't know the steps involved. Don't worry - we're here to help! \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plan enrollment \| \| investments \| \| age-based investments \| \| open a 529 plan \| \| saving for college \| \| college savings \| \| 529 contribution \| \| beneficiary \|
	Don't Let These Myths Muddle College Savings See the results of Fidelity recently College Savings Indicator Study. \| \|
	#TBT College savings: Then and Now For the past nine years, Fidelity�s College Savings Indicator Study has revealed just how much American families are putting away for college. Read more. \| \|
	76 percent of families have college funds by first grade According to new data from the College Savings Foundation, more and more parents are saving for college while their child is still very young. Here's why starting to save early and using a 529 plan is a winning combination. \| saving for college \| \| college savings month \| \| 529 plan \| \| parenting \| \| paying for college \|
	I won't qualify for financial aid, but I still need help paying for college What can you do if you make too much for financial aid, but not enough to pay for college out of pocket? \| college savings \| \| high-income \| \| fund 529 \| \| tuition tax breaks \| \| American Opportunity Tax Credit \|
	7 money management tips to save more for college Boost your college savings efforts, with the following seven money management tips can help get you off on the right foot. \| College costs \| \| Lower Monthly Bills \| \| College Savings \|
	College Savings Timeline: Time to get in gear Even if your child has less than 18 years until college, you still have plenty of time to grow significant savings. Here are five things to focus on if college is 10 years away. \| college savings \| \| 10 years to college \| \| grade school \| \| scholarships \| \| 529 plans \| \| age-based investments \| \| asset allocation \| \| resume \| \| application \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \|
	[VIDEO] What is a qualified expense? These are all common questions we hear from families related to 529s. \| 529 common questions \| \| college savings \| \| withdrawal 529 \| \| qualified 529 expenses \|
	College Savings Timeline: New beginnings For those of you who are about to enter the world of parenthood � Congratulations! Believe it or not, this is the ideal time to start a college savings fund. Here are five steps to get started today. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| new baby \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \|
	Five questions to ask yourself when choosing a college savings strategy College can be one of the largest expenses a family will ever face. There are a number of different options available to help you reach your goal, and here are a few things to consider before choosing the one that�s right for you. \| 529 plan \| \| college \| \| college savings \| \| college savings options \| \| investment option \| \| age-based \| \| fees and expenses \| \| tax benefits \|
	How much can parents really save for college by giving up Starbucks? Giving up five trips to Starbucks and one meal out per week you could save enough to cover a full year of private school tuition in 18 years. \| Starbucks \| \| College Savings \| \| Sallie Mae \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] Top Misconceptions About College Savings: Do You Know the Answers? Our annual survey revealed that many families are still confused about how 529 plans work. Learn about the biggest misconceptions. \| Annual Survey \| \| College Savings \| \| Grandparents \|
	529 Day Webcast Recap Did you miss our 529 Day live Q&A webinar? Here's a recap of all the great college savings topics that were covered. \| 529 Day \| \| College Savings Bank \| \| 529 Plans \| \| College Savings \|
	It Pays to Start Saving: 5 Ways to Get Started Now Saving 100% of what you need for college may be difficult, any savings will open options and reduce the need to take on student debt. \| student debt \| \| fidelity \| \| save \| \| college \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \|
	529 Day Webcast - Meet the experts Don't miss our 529 Day Webcast taking place on May 29th! Learn more about the panel of leading industry experts who will be answering your college savings questions. \| 529 day \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| college savings experts \| \| ny times \| \| Forbes \| \| Tara Siegel Bernard \| \| Lynn O'Shaughnessy \| \| Joseph Hurley \| \| Troy Onink \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| webcast \|
	529 reasons to save for college with a 529 plan We're celebrating 529 Day this year in a BIG way by compiling a list of 529 reasons to open a 529 plan! To kick things off, here are some great reasons from a few of our favorite industry experts. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 Day \| \| college savings \| \| 529 college savings plan \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| May 29 \|
	9 ways America's college savings habits have changed Sallie Mae's 2015 'How America Pays For College' report is fairly consistent with 2014's findings in how American families prepare for the costs of higher education. Here are 9 changes in some saving attitudes and behaviors that we thought we worth noting. \| college savings \| \| Sallie Mae \| \| 529 plan \| \| parents \| \| college \| \| paying for college \| \| cost of college \|
	Are U.S. Savings Bonds still an effective way to save for college? Way back before smart phones, Netflix and Facebook, many families were using savings bonds as a way to set aside money for college. If you're still holding on to your bonds - is it time for an upgrade? \| savings bonds \| \| US savings bonds \| \| EE savings bonds \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| savings bonds vs 529 plan \| \| saving for college \| \| financial aid \|
	10 things you can learn about saving for college from Game of Thrones What can Jon Snow, Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister teach you about planning for college? Find out in this fun Game of Thrones slideshow. \| Game of Thones \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| student loans \| \| estate taxes \| \| 529 plans \| \| cost of college \| \| college savings calculators \|
	What is your state doing to promote saving for college? As tuition prices continue to skyrocket, many states are actively trying to raise awareness about the importance of saving for college. At this year's College Savings Foundation Conference, representatives from several states shared their thoughts with us on the best ways to promote saving for college. \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| states \| \| MEFA \| \| NEST \| \| FAME \| \| planning for college \| \| paying for college \| \| matching grants \|
	College Savings April Foolery Don't be tricked this April Fools Day! Make sure you do your research so that you know exactly what the best strategy is to help you meet your college savings goals. \| 529 plan \| \| april fools day \| \| college savings \| \| save for college \| \| retirement accounts \| \| 401k \| \| savings accounts \| \| college savings options \|
	[PODCAST] Melinda Lewis on the relationship between college savings and student debt Just how much of an effect does a college fund have on the likelihood that a student will have to borrow? In this podcast, Kathryn Flynn and Melinda Lewis discuss new research on the relationship between saving for college and student debt. \| savings vs loans \| \| college savings \| \| student debt \| \| student loans \| \| college savings plan \| \| 529 plan \|
	Does your employer help you save for college? Many workers feel that help with saving for college is a key piece missing from their benefits package. Kathryn Flynn and Christian Duffus of LEAF College Savings discuss why we rarely see college savings plans offered as employee benefits. \| saving for college \| \| employee benefits \| \| college savings plans \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| paying for college \|
	5 ways to grow your 529 pot o' gold Even if you can't depend on the luck of the Irish to help you afford college tuition, here are five simple ways you can use a 529 plan to grow your own pot of gold for college! \| 529 plan \| \| 529 college savings plan \| \| saving for college \| \| St. Patricks Day \| \| pot of gold \| \| Irish \| \| tax benefits \| \| tax return \|
	Nine reasons why every 'Modern Family' needs a 529 plan The following slideshow looks at one of America�s favorite unconventional families and how each member can enjoy the benefits of a 529 plan. \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| 529 plans \| \| Modern Family \| \| saving for multiple children \| \| five year election \| \| college savings \|
	Savingforcollege.com's March Photo Madness To get in the spirit of the upcoming March Madness basketball tournament, we're giving you the opportunity to win some great prizes. Enter our Facebook photo contest for a chance to win a $250 cash scholarship and two fitbits! \| saving for college \| \| scholarship \| \| March Madness \| \| basketball \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings planner \| \| photo contest \| \| facebook \|
	Financial Aid - Five crucial tips There are many sources of financial aid available, learn more about them. \| College Savings \| \| Financial Aid \|
	It's that time of year again - the 40-Day College Savings Challenge Join us again this year and challenge yourself to find room in your family budget for college savings. Keep track of what you're able to save for the next 40 days, and keep us posted on how it's going! \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| 529 plan \| \| Lent \| \| challenge \|
	10 things we love most about 529 plans Getting to college without going into excessive debt isn�t easy, but it�s also not impossible. Here are 10 reasons why we think 529 plans are the most effective way for families to save for college. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| tax benefits \| \| financial aid \| \| contribution limits \| \| fees and expenses \|
	529 plans and their tax benefits are here to stay College savers can now breathe a sigh of relief as the President plans to drop his proposal to eliminate tax-free withdrawals of 529 college savings plans. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings plan \| \| obama \| \| tax \| \| withdrawals \| \| tax proposal \|
	[PODCAST] How to give a gift of college savings Happy holidays! In this new podcast, Joe Hurley and Kathryn Flynn discuss why a contribution to a 529 plan can be a more meaningful gift for a child than a toy or cash. \| podcast \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| holiday \| \| 529 plan contribution \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| grandparents \|
	Be the Quarterback of Your College Savings Team Steps to help accelerate college savings plan. \| 529 \| \| college savings plan \| \| research \| \| 529 growth \| \| fidelity \| \| Keith Bernhardt \| \| Bernhardt \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] College Savings Month Survey results This year's College Savings Month survey revealed what factors families feel are most important when choosing a 529 plan. View our new infographic to see a summary of the findings. \| infographic \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| survey \| \| choosing a 529 plan \| \| tax benefits \|
	Savingforcollege.com's College Savings Month festivities To celebrate College Savings Month, we�re featuring exciting new content dedicated to sharing our knowledge and answering your questions regarding 529 college savings plans and other planning tools. Here�s a quick list of what we�re currently offering. \| college savings month \| \| webcast \| \| podcast \| \| 529 plan \| \| saving for college \| \| Joseph Hurley \|
	[PODCAST] Getting started with a 529 plan - Step 2: Opening your account Tune in to the next episode in our podcast series and listen to Joe Hurley and Kathryn Flynn's discussion on what you need to do to set up your 529 college savings account. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| podcast \| \| college planning \| \| investment \|
	Why you should teach your kids about money Studies have shown that kids who are involved in family finances are much more likely to save money themselves, yet many parents still have reluctance when it comes to discussing financial matters with their kids. \| financial literacy \| \| kids \| \| money \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| \|
	How college savings can make a great gift Here's a great gift-giving idea that you can incorporate annually into your child's life, and even put a college-savings spin on it. \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| graduation \| \| qualified expenses \|
	Six calculators to help you save for college We are constantly striving to come up with new and improved tools that will help you answer some of your toughest college savings questions. See how these six calculators can assist you with your budgeting and planning decisions: \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| calculators \| \| student loans \| \| cost of college \| \| saving for college \| \| tax benefits \| \| scholarships \|
	When your child wants to attend a U.S. Military Academy What happens if families who have been diligently saving for college with a 529 plan have a child who plans to attend a military academy? \| college savings \| \| military \| \| paying for college \| \| scholarship \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plan withdrawal \| \| tuition \|
	Facebook contest: Share your proudest moment as a parent or grandparent! This month, we�re offering a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card just for sharing a photo of your proudest parent or grandparent moment with us. Post your proudest moment on our Facebook wall for your chance to win! \| facebook \| \| photo sharing \| \| proudest parent \| \| college savings \| \| graduation \|
	Congratulations to our 529 Day winner: Another great success! This May 29th, affectionately known to the industry as 529 Day, was especially memorable for Rochelle Blee, the winner of our 529 Day celebration giveaway. \| 529 day \| \| webcast \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| grandparents \| \| estate planning \| \| college planning \|
	Top five ways to spend 529 savings Withdrawals from a 529 plan must be spent on qualified higher education expenses to avoid tax and penalty. Just what types of college expenses are qualified? \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| qualified expenses \| \| 529 plan withdrawals \| \| paying for college \| \| tuition \| \| room and board \| \| equipment \| \| special needs equipment \|
	College savings success stories: Anonymous tips Last week we received some great advice on our message board explaining how to get the best education "bang for your buck". Consider these tips to create a well-rounded college funding strategy. \| college savings \| \| 529 plans \| \| community college \| \| cutting college costs \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| ROI \|
	10 reasons to give the gift of college education Looking for the perfect gift? Whether you are shopping for a kindergartener, eighth grader or even a high school student, here are 10 reasons why a contribution to a college savings fund will always be appreciated. \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| graduation \| \| graduation gift \| \| 529 plan contribution \| \| state tax benefits \| \| grandparents \|
	Four easy ways shoppers can become college savers If saving for college while you shop sounds like your cup of tea, you might want to consider a credit card that will pay you back in the form of 529 plan contributions. Here are four credit cards that offer college savings rewards. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| upromise \| \| credit cards \| \| rewards credit cards \| \| rewards points \|
	VIDEO - Which 529 plan is best for me? With hundreds of different options available, how do you know which 529 plan to choose? In this video, Joe Hurley points out the features you should look for when you shop for a 529 plan. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| college savings day \| \| 529 day \| \| saving for college \| \| choosing a 529 plan \| \| national college savings day \|
	Student loan rate hikes give more reason to save Beginning July 1, we will see a 0.8% increase in interest rates on all federal student loans. If you were planning on taking out loans to pay for college, you may want to rethink your strategy. \| college \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| student loans \| \| interest rates \| \| interest rate increase \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings day \| \| 529 day \| \| cost of college \|
	College Savings Timeline: The home stretch You�re the parent of a high school junior, which means in just two years your child will be on his or her way to college. In this week�s College Savings Timeline, we discuss the five most important college planning steps for the final years of high school. \| 529 plans \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| high school \| \| scholarships \| \| financial aid \| \| SAT \| \| ACT \| \| FAFSA \|
	Top four savings essentials for young families Having kids and the expenses to go with them can sometimes put savings goals on hold. Whether your first baby just arrived or your oldest is headed to middle school, it�s never too late to get your family�s savings plan back on track. Here are four tips on how to get started. \| personal finance \| \| tips for saving \| \| college savings \| \| saving money \| \| family \| \| young family \| \| budgeting \|
	529 Day Q&A Webcast hosted by Savingforcollege.com Mark your calendars! In honor of 529 Day, Thursday, May 29th at 1:00pm ET Savingforcollege.com is hosting a live webcast featuring the industry�s top experts. This is your chance to ask questions regarding 529 plans, financial aid and where college savings fits into your family�s financial plan. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| 529 day \| \| college savings \| \| webinar \| \| webcast \| \| q&a \| \| college savings questions \| \| 529 plan myths \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] The History of the 529 Plan Take a look at our newest infographic to see some important dates in the lifetime of the 529 plan, and how it has evolved to the great college savings vehicle that it is today. \| 529 plan \| \| 528 college savings plan \| \| infographic \| \| history of 529 plan \| \| how to save for college \| \| saving for college \|
	Five of the best college savings apps In addition to allowing you to track funds in a bank or investment account, there are also mobile apps available that offer some fantastic planning tools. This slide show highlights five apps that help parents, students and grandparents plan for the future costs of college. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| smart phone \| \| smart phone app \| \| college savings app \| \| paying for college \| \| financial planning \| \| technology \|
	College savings success stories: The 529 Guru's story This week, we asked our very own Savingforcollege.com founder and "529 Guru", Joe Hurley, to share how he used his expertise to pay for the college education of his own two children. \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| success story \| \| 529 guru \| \| joe hurley \| \| room and board \| \| scholarship \|
	College Savings Timeline: Now entering the world of high school Here are some things you can do in the next four years of high school to ensure an easy transition that won't leave your child burdened with excessive debt. \| savings \| \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| high school \| \| teenager \| \| scholarships \| \| AP \| \| planning for college \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \|
	Do 529 plans beat their benchmark? A recent analysis conducted by Joe Hurley finds that historically when their unique benefits are taken into account, 529 plans can be a very lucrative choice when saving for college. \| college savings \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| mutual funds \| \| college \| \| college investing \| \| saving for college \| \| tax benefits \| \| benchmarks \| \| investment strategies \|
	College savings success stories: Family of seven This week, author Katie Flynn will be telling her own college savings success story. She explains how her parents got Katie and her four siblings through college successfully - an incredible feat! \| college savings \| \| how they did it \| \| success stories \| \| scholarships \| \| loans \| \| 529 plans \| \| work study \| \| in-state schools \|
	5 ways to cut college costs The last thing you want is to have your child graduate college burdened with student loans. Here are five ways anyone can put away extra money for college, regardless of income. \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \| \| student loans \| \| higher education \| \| scholarships \| \| room and board \| \| cost of tuition \| \| 529 plan \| \| 529 college savings plan \|
	College savings success stories: Our own success We thought you might be interested in how saving for college worked for our own families. This week�s success story comes from our very own Chief Operating Officer, Marie Osypian. \| scholarships \| \| work study \| \| loans \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \| \| college savings \| \| success stories \|
	10 investing terms every college saver should understand In honor of Financial Literacy Month, here�s a quick rundown of ten often-misunderstood investing terms that you�re likely to come across when choosing a saving strategy. \| college savings \| \| financial literacy month \| \| investing \| \| 529 plans \| \| investment terms \| \| investment \|
	Top 529 plans to follow on twitter To help you keep up-to-date with the latest college savings news, here is a list of the most active plans on twitter. Follow away! \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| twitter \| \| tweet \| \| social \| \| college savings news \|
	College savings success stories: The Rickman family Our first college savings success story features the Rickman family, who demonstrate the significant savings of having their children attend school in-state. \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| how to save for college \| \| in-state college \| \| in-state tuition \| \| success \|
	Clearing up the confusion: Five popular 529 plan myths Recent survey data has indicated that parents' misunderstanding of 529 plans may be a significant barrier to their use of them. In this slideshow we present five of the biggest 529 plan myths along with the facts to set the record straight. \| college savings \| \| slideshow \| \| 529 plans \| \| 529 plan \| \| myths \| \| scholarships \| \| financial aid \| \| tax benefits \| \| tax penalty \| \| college savings \| \| college savings options \|
	20 people on Twitter who can help you save for college Whether you�re actively saving for college or just starting to think about it, here�s a list of 20 people whose tweets will help guide you through the college planning process. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| saving for college \| \| twitter \| \| experts \| \| follow \| \| college savings experts \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: An opportunity to educate Experts agree that there is a strong need for education on financial products and services, and that the younger these topics are introduced, the better. This includes the area of 529 plans, where confusion is still common. \| 529 plan \| \| misconceptions \| \| financial literacy \| \| college savings \| \| college savings survey \| \| saving for college \| \| paying for college \|
	Truth be told - Common 529 plan misconceptions The results of our Annual College Savings Survey show that there are still many people who are unclear about the functionality of 529 plans. In this post, we discuss six common misconceptions and reveal the correct answers to help clear up some of the confusion. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| parents \| \| grandparents \| \| myths \| \| financial aid \| \| scholarships \| \| tax deductions \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: All that you can leave behind As college costs in America rise faster than the rate of inflation and total student loan debt surpasses $1 trillion, more relatives are exploring the idea of helping pay tuition for grandchildren, nieces and nephews. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| grandparents \| \| pay for college \| \| save for college \| \| student loans \| \| financial aid \| \| required minimum distributions \| \| college savings survey \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: Direct- or advisor-sold 529 plan? Our survey results indicate many of our readers feel comfortable selecting their own investments, but there may be situations in which an advisor-sold 529 plan could be a better fit. Here are a few key questions to ask yourself: \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| direct-sold 529 \| \| advisor-sold 529 \| \| fees \| \| financial advisor \| \| financial planner \| \| investment options \| \| active management \| \| index funds \|
	Are 529 plans doing the job? Total assets in 529 plans, which stood at $227 billion as of December 31, 2013, saw a 19% increase over the previous year's $190 billion total. Sounds pretty good, right? Actually, it�s a bit disappointing to me. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| 529 \| \| college savings \| \| 2013 report \| \| 529 assets \| \| College Savings Plans Network \| \| Forbes \| \| 529 plan growth \|
	Annual College Savings Survey results: Make the most of your savings As promised, here is the first in a series of blog posts based on the results of our Annual College Savings survey. We begin by examining how our readers are currently saving for college and why. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| college savings survey \| \| 529 plan benefits \| \| tax benefits \| \| tax deduction \| \| saving for college \|
	The 529 plan Pot O' Gold is growing! Many future college students should be feeling lucky this St. Patrick�s Day. A recent report announced that total investments in 529 college savings plans hit a record level of $227 billion. However, families still have a long way to get to the end of the rainbow. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| st. patricks day \| \| 529 plan assets \| \| college costs \| \| higher education \| \| grandparents \| \| 529 plan contributions \|
	[INFOGRAPHIC] How much do you need to save for college? Our latest infographic looks at the actual expenses related to higher education and how American families are footing the bill to pay for college. \| infographic \| \| college \| \| college costs \| \| 529 \| \| 529 plan \| \| college savings \| \| college cost calculator \| \| paying for college \| \| saving for college \|
	The Bank of Grandma and Grandpa - New video featuring our very own Joe Hurley! In the following video Joseph Hurley, Founder of Savingforcollege.com, explains the different ways Grandparents can assist with paying for tuition, taking issues like financial aid and taxes into consideration. \| grandparents \| \| saving for college \| \| 529 plans \| \| financial aid \| \| gift tax \| \| college \| \| college savings \|
	The 2014 Annual College Savings Survey Results The Annual College Savings Survey was designed to shed light on consumer beliefs and actions in relation to 529 plans. The results uncovered a number of key findings that we are excited to share with our readers in a new series of blog posts. \| 529 \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| survey \| \| families \| \| financial advisors \| \| education \| \| choosing a 529 plan \|
	The 40-Day College Savings Challenge Regardless of your religious beliefs, Lent can be a great time to focus on good spending habits. Over the next 40 days, we challenge our readers to find ways to cut their budget and make room for college savings. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| lent \| \| fat tuesday \| \| saving money \| \| budget \|
	Tax reform and 529 plans Joe shares his thoughts on the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's recently-proposed comprehensive tax reform package and its effect on tax incentives for education. \| 529 plan \| \| 529 plans \| \| college savings \| \| tax reform \| \| Internal Revenue Code \| \| Chairman Dave Camp \| \| tax incentives \| \| education tax incentives \|
	Welcome to the new and improved Savingforcollege.com Blog! Whether you are a new parent, grandparent or professional advisor, we are committed to offering the most timely and relevant college savings content while encouraging interaction, comments and feedback. \| college savings \| \| 529 plans \| \| financial aid \| \| coverdell esas \| \| scholarships \| \| student loans \| \| Joe Hurley \|
	America's Parents Get a B-Minus on Their College Savings Report Card When we asked parents to grade their college savings progress, they gave themselves a B-minus. While there�s definitely room for improvement to bump that to an �A,� we found that many are taking steps in the right direction, with more families saving in 529 college savings plans (up 5% from 2012) and 61% having a financial plan in place to help reach college goals. \| College Savings \| \| American Families \| \| 529 Plan \|

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