The DE529 Education Savings Plan

Sponsored by the state of Delaware and managed by Fidelity, this 529 plan is open to both residents and nonresidents.



We are excited to announce the extension of our First State, First Steps program into 2024. Delaware residents who open and fund a DE529 Education Savings Plan account with at least $100 for a child 5 years of age or under will receive a $100 match contribution.  See program rules

Tax advantages


The Delaware 529 plan offers federal and state tax benefits as you save for a child's education.

Flexible use of funds


Use the funds for a wide range of college expenses at accredited schools nationwide—plus tuition expenses for K-12th grade, certain apprenticeship costs, and student loan repayments.

Many investment choices


Choose either an Age-Based Strategy or a Custom Strategy based on your specific investment goals.

Why invest in a 529 college savings plan with Fidelity?

College gifting service


Friends and family can send gifts directly to your 529 with our free, online college gifting service. Gifters don't need a Fidelity account.

Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards® Visa Signature® Card


Help to grow your college savings account with unlimited 2% cash back on every eligible net purchase.1

What is a 529 plan?


This tax-advantaged education savings account could help you hit your college savings goals. There's no annual account fee and no income restrictions.

Morningstar silver rating logo

The DE529 Education Savings Plan received Morningstar's 2023 Silver Rating.2

Read Morningstar's 529 industry report

Tax advantages

Earnings

Any earnings grow federal and Delaware income tax-deferred.

Withdrawals

Qualified withdrawals are free from federal and Delaware income taxes.

Contributions

DE529 plan account owners are eligible to claim a DE529 state income tax deduction for contributions to the DE529 plan account made in the applicable tax year. Single persons may claim up to a $1,000 deduction, and married persons filing jointly may claim up to a $2,000 state income tax deduction.


Account details

Account maximum

$350,000 per beneficiary2

Investment expenses

Fees vary, depending on your investment strategy:
0.47%–0.95% (Fidelity Funds)
0.10%–0.14% (Fidelity Index Funds)
0.40%–0.60% (Fidelity Blend)
0.05%–0.50% (Bank Deposit Portfolio)

Plan performance

View information on the funds' short-term performance, or average annual total returns by month or by quarter.

Download the annual report (PDF)


Additional Resources

Delaware Office of State Treasurer

Find out more about the state sponsor for this plan.

Plan application & fact kit

Download the application and supporting documents.

First Steps Program

A program designed to encourage saving for education, First Steps provides Delaware residents a $100 deposit into a DE529 Plan account opened for beneficiaries 5 years of age and younger. Account must be funded with at least a $100 contribution to be eligible. Read the DE529 First Steps Program Rules (PDF). To opt out of the program, please contact Fidelity at 800-544-1655 or go to 529.delaware.gov.

Consider these tips from Fidelity customers who found easy ways to ask their family and friends to consider gifting to their 529 on gift-giving occasions.

Learn more

Learn about college planning

Access a library of courses, articles, and videos to learn more about planning and saving for college.

Get started with college savings

Understand what it's like to have an account, from choosing a plan to withdrawing funds.

Are you on track?

Anyone can use our college savings calculator to figure out how much to save each month. Login or become a member to create a personalized savings plan and track your progress.

Hablamos español

Ahorros para la universidad (PDF)
Un folleto en español con informacion sobre productos y soluciones de ahorrar para el futuro de su hijo para la universidad.

Abra una cuenta para el Plan de Ahorro para la Educación DE529
Descargue la Solicitud de Cuenta y el Paquete de Datos del Plan de Inversión para la Educación Universitaria de Delaware.

Get in touch

Contact us to get help and answers.

Questions?

800-544-1655