A mother and daughter are lying on the ground reading a children's book together.

The Vanguard 529 Plan

Whether you’re saving for college, vocational school, or a trade school, you can use The Vanguard 529 Plan, sponsored by the state of Nevada, to start saving for your education goals.

Start saving towards your goal today

Open an account

Choose from over 30 portfolios with The Vanguard 529 plan

View all 529 portfolios

What's a 529 plan?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged account made specifically for education savings—like colleges, trade schools, and vocational schools. You can save for your child, another family member, or even yourself.

Smitha Walling, Head of Education Savings talks about 529s at Vanguard
You have certain cookies disabled on the Vanguard site.
In order to watch this video, you must agree to the use of cookies provided by YouTube.
Click to permit these cookies and watch the video.

View transcript

Smitha Walling:  I’m a Mom of two, a daughter and a son.  One who graduated from college already and one who is still there.  And 529s have been a big part of helping save to pay for college.

Education has always been a really important value to our family.  And that's the case for many investors in the country who cite education as a top three savings goal.

529s are one of the most popular investment vehicles for saving for education.  They let you save in a tax-deferred way. And in some cases, even benefit from a state tax deduction.  And when you use the funds for qualified expenses, you can take the withdrawals tax-free.

Disclosure on screen:

Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.  

You can use the funds to cover tuition and expenses for K through 12, for 2- or 4-year colleges, trade school, apprenticeship, even study abroad, and potentially even put the funds toward student loan repayment. And if the funds go unused, you can transfer the funds to your other children, grandchildren or other qualified family members.  And if that is still not flexible enough, you can use the funds and rollover up to $35,000 into a Roth IRA for your beneficiary.

 

With a 529 account, you can feel confident knowing your investing in your loved one’s future.  At Vanguard, it’s our mission to give you, and your loved ones, the best chance for investment success.

Logo End Close

 

Important Information

For more information about The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan, visit vanguard.com to obtain a Program Description, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other information; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan is a Nevada Trust administered by the office of the Nevada State Treasurer.
 
The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as the Investment Manager for The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan and through its affiliate, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, markets and distributes the Plan. Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC, serves as Program Manager and has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds. Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in the Plan.

 

If you are not a Nevada taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Other state benefits may include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors.

 

State tax treatment of withdrawals for K-12 tuition expenses, apprenticeship program expenses, and student loan repayments is determined by the state(s) where the taxpayer files state income tax. Please consult with a tax advisor for further guidance.

 

Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in the Plan. Account owners assume all investment risks, including the potential for loss of principal, as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences.

 

Certain restrictions apply to Roth IRA rollovers, including to whom the assets may be transferred, a required holding period of 15 years, and limits on rollovers of contributions made within the 5 years prior to the rollover. The annual rollover limit is subject to Roth IRA annual contribution limits with a lifetime limit of $35,000 for each 529 account beneficiary. Consult your tax advisor prior to initiating a rollover.

©2024 The Vanguard Group, Inc.  All rights reserved.

Qualified family member

You can change the beneficiary of your account at any time as long as the new beneficiary is a qualified family member of the original beneficiary. Here is a partial list of relatives that are considered qualified family members according to the IRS:

  • Brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister.
  • Son, daughter, or a descendant of either.
  • Father, mother, or an ancestor of either.
  • Son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.
  • Beneficiary's spouse or the spouse of any individual listed above.
  • First cousin.

Why choose the Vanguard 529 Plan?

The Vanguard 529 Plan, sponsored by the state of Nevada, is one of the largest plans in the country. More than 350,000 investors across all 50 states have chosen The Vanguard 529 Plan to save for their education goals.2

Open an account

Low costs

Our costs are among the lowest in the industry.3 By minimizing costs and fees, you’ll have more money for educational expenses.

Variety of investment options

Choose from a variety of individual 529 portfolios, or opt for one of our Target Enrollment Portfolios.

Explore 529 portfolio options

Expert management

We hire top investment professionals with the experience and expertise you've come to expect from Vanguard. And as one of the largest 529 plan money managers, we're here for you now—and in the long run.4

Vanguard 529 Plan portfolio options

Do you want to build your portfolio or be hands-free and let us take the wheel? No matter which you prefer, The Vanguard 529 Plan has something for you! 

Red graduation cap with yellow tassel illustration.

Target Enrollment Portfolios

Target-enrollment investing makes saving for education about as easy as it gets. With our Target Enrollment Portfolios (TEPs), you make just one decision—and your portfolio does a lot of the work for you.

Target Enrollment Portfolios

Target-enrollment investing makes saving for education about as easy as it gets. With our Target Enrollment Portfolios (TEPs), you make just one decision—and your portfolio does a lot of the work for you.

 View our TEPs
Illustraton of a hand holding a multi-colored pie chart.

Individual 529 portfolios

Want a more hands-on approach to investing? Design and manage your own investment strategy by choosing from our individual portfolios.

Individual 529 portfolios

Want a more hands-on approach to investing? Design and manage your own investment strategy by choosing from our individual portfolios.

 View all 529 portfolios

Learn more about your 529 investment options

Select a state to view your tax benefits

Our 529 benefits tool allows you to view state tax breaks and how your state’s 529 plan stacks up against The Vanguard 529 Plan, sponsored by Nevada.*

Select a state from the dropdown menu.
An illustration of two people with a Vanguard flag standing in front of a school building

*This tool considers the population of direct-sold plans for the chosen state.

All state-related 529 plan data are sourced from SS&C.

There may be other material differences between products that must be considered prior to investing.

See if The Vanguard 529 Plan is right for you

Learn more

529 plan tools

Ready to create a plan for education savings? Learn about your options and map out a way to meet those expenses.

529 state tax deduction calculator

If your state offers a tax benefit, you can estimate the deduction you could receive for your 529 contribution this year.

Estimate state tax deduction
An outline of a piece of paper with a checklist on it.

Compare 529 savings plans

Compare the features of a Vanguard-associated 529 savings plan to another state-sponsored 529 plan.

Select plans to compare

College savings plans

Estimate how much you may need to save to meet your education savings goals.

Calculate savings needed

View all tools

Want to learn more?

A young woman is using a tablet to learn about investing.

Investing on your own?

Check out key information you can use as you begin your successful DIY investing journey.

Investing on your own?

Check out key information you can use as you begin your successful DIY investing journey.

 Get DIY Resources
Man hiking in park surrounded by trees and plants.

Get professional advice

We offer expert help at the low cost we're known for.

Get professional advice

We offer expert help at the low cost we're known for.

 Compare advice
A young couple is smiling and taking notes at a desk.

Other accounts

Find an account that matches your investing goals. Whatever your goal is, we have an account to help you reach it.

Other accounts

Find an account that matches your investing goals. Whatever your goal is, we have an account to help you reach it.

 View accounts & plans
A young woman is helping a child on monkey bars.
Personal finance
When should you start saving for college?
Childhood goes from crib to kindergarten in the blink of an eye. Before you know it, college will be next. But you'll be ready!
Education
Education savings

Investing for life events

A mom and her two daughters dancing in the living room.
Personal finance
What is a 529 plan?
Education
Education savings
Two little kids enjoying the messy fun of hand painting.
Personal finance
10 things that may surprise you about 529s
Learn more about 529s—one of the most popular education savings account types in the U.S.
Article
Education savings

Frequently asked questions

Getting started with a 529 account

529 account ownership

529 plan rules and contribution limits

529 account rollovers and transfers

Gifting a 529 plan

Qualified higher-education expenses

These include room and board, books, supplies, tuition, and other costs at any accredited trade or vocational school, apprenticeship, college, or graduate school in the United States or abroad. If you use 529 plan money to pay for qualified expenses, you won't owe taxes or penalties.

Qualified family member

You can change the beneficiary of your account at any time as long as the new beneficiary is a qualified family member of the original beneficiary. Here is a partial list of relatives that are considered qualified family members according to the IRS:

  • Brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister.
  • Son, daughter, or a descendant of either.
  • Father, mother, or an ancestor of either.
  • Son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.
  • Beneficiary's spouse or the spouse of any individual listed above.
  • First cousin.

Beneficiary

The person you're opening the account for, or the future student. This person doesn't have control of the money in the account, but can use the money from the plan for school costs. The account owner controls the money on behalf of the beneficiary.

Want to learn more about 529s?

Share your email address below to receive curated emails about saving for education.

Error: Enter a email address. Enter a valid email address.
Error:
Error:

Enter your email address to receive information about 529s. We may also send you other Vanguard information you might be interested in. You can opt out at any time.

A woman in a yellow sweater drinks coffee while checking her phone.

The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan is a Nevada Trust administered by the office of the Nevada State Treasurer.

1Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements. State tax treatment of withdrawals used for i) expenses for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school, ii) expenses related to apprenticeship programs, or iii) student loan repayments is determined by the state(s) where the taxpayer files state income tax. If you are not a Nevada taxpayer, please consult with a tax advisor.

2Source: Vanguard as of 12/31/2024.

3Vanguard average 529 expense ratio: 0.14%. Industry average 529 expense ratio: 0.48%. Average annual asset-based fees for age-based portfolios. Sources: ISS Market Intelligence, December 2024.

4Vanguard managed approximately $185 billion in 529 plan assets as of December 31, 2024.

5Contributions to the Plan(s) are deductible from Colorado state income tax in the tax year of the contribution, up to your Colorado taxable income for that year. Such deductions are subject to recapture in subsequent years in which nonqualified withdrawals are made.

6In the event the donor does not survive the 5-year period, a prorated amount will revert back to the donor's taxable estate.

For more information about The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan, call 877-930-4972 or obtain a Program Description (PDF), which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other information; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

For more information about any 529 savings plan, contact the plan provider to obtain a Program Description, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other information; read and consider it carefully before investing. If you are not a taxpayer of the state offering the plan, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Other state benefits may include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. Vanguard Marketing Corporation serves as distributor for some 529 plans.

If you are not a Nevada taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Other state benefits may include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors.

State tax treatment of withdrawals for K–12 tuition expenses, apprenticeship program expenses, and student loan repayments is determined by the state(s) where the taxpayer files state income tax. Please consult with a tax advisor for further guidance.

The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as the Investment Manager for The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan and through its affiliate, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, markets and distributes the Plan. Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC, serves as Program Manager and has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds. Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the Plan.

All investing is subject to risk, including possible loss of principal. There may be other material differences between products that must be considered prior to investing.

Upromise is a registered service mark of Upromise, Inc. Ugift is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC. Please note that Upromise is an optional service offered by Upromise, Inc., and is separate from the Plan. Specific terms and conditions apply. Participating companies, contribution levels, and terms and conditions subject to change without notice.

Upromise is an optional service offered by Upromise, Inc.; is separate from The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan; and is not affiliated with the state of Nevada. Terms and conditions apply to the Upromise service. Participating companies, contribution levels, and terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. For more information about Upromise, go to upromise.com.