College savings plans—which is right for you?
It feels like a big decision, but don't worry—it's easy to find the account that has everything your family needs.
Start by looking at 529 plans
For most people, a 529 savings account offers a mix of benefits that will get you the closest to your goal.
With these accounts, you can save money on taxes both when you make your contributions and every year between now and move-in day. Put those savings toward college, and you'll see how much of a difference they make.
If you're interested in learning about other types of college savings accounts, the table below makes it easy to compare and decide.
Compare your options
Considering other account types?
You may have heard about parents saving in other types of accounts not traditionally used for college, like Roth IRAs, life insurance plans, or bank accounts. Find out why they're not necessarily the best idea.
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The Vanguard 529 Plan
Discover the many benefits of our premier college savings plan.
Vanguard perspectives on college saving
Ease the burden of high tuition bills: Take advantage of tax benefits, get financial aid, and spend strategically from your 529 plan.
Spoiler alert: The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan is now even more affordable.
Open an account, work toward a goal, make contributions—and just like that, you're a college saver.
It may take time to reach your college savings goal, but it's worth the effort (and easier than you think).
REFERENCE CONTENT
Contributions
The yearly, monthly, or weekly amounts you save in your account.
State tax breaks
The benefit
Pay less in taxes with tax-deferred earnings, tax-free withdrawals, and tax deductions or credits.
How it works
- Tax-deferred earnings: You don't pay taxes on the money you earn until you take it out.
- Tax-free withdrawals: If you use the money for college expenses (which is the whole idea!), you won't pay any taxes on the money you earn—ever.
- Tax deductions: Many states let you deduct your contributions (up to a certain amount) from state income tax, and some even offer a tax credit in the amount of your contribution.
Put these tax benefits together, and it will make a big difference. If you put $25 a week into an account that offers a tax deduction, you'll save $65 on taxes that year if your state tax rate is 5%. If you put that $65 back into your college savings—and if the account is also state tax-deferred—you could accumulate an additional $3,500 for college after 18 years, versus an account with no tax benefits.
This hypothetical illustration assumes an average annual return of 6%. It doesn't reflect any particular investment nor does it account for inflation or federal tax considerations. It also assumes that all withdrawals from the tax-deferred account are considered qualified. 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 assumed rate of return isn't guaranteed, and the results would be different given a different rate of return. When making an investment decision, you should consider your own timeline and income tax bracket, as the illustration may not reflect your situation.
Federal tax breaks
The benefit
Pay less in taxes with tax-deferred earnings and tax-free withdrawals.
How it works
- Tax-deferred earnings: You don't pay taxes on the money you earn until you take it out.
- Tax-free withdrawals: With some accounts, if you use the money for college, you won't pay any taxes on your earnings—ever. It can make a big difference.
For example, imagine you and your friend both open college savings accounts at the same time and contribute $25 a week for 18 years. You choose an account with federal tax benefits, while he opens an account with no tax breaks. When taxes are due on his earnings, he takes money out of the account to pay them.
If you both earn 6% a year on your investments, when it's time for college, you'll have about $3,800 more in your account!
This hypothetical illustration doesn't reflect any particular investment nor does it account for inflation or any state tax considerations. It assumes your friend pays 25% in federal income taxes on investment gains. (Note that investment gains may be taxed at a more favorable rate.) It also assumes that all withdrawals from the tax-deferred account are considered qualified. 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 assumed rate of return isn't guaranteed, and the results would be different given a different rate of return. When making an investment decision, you should consider your own timeline and income tax bracket, as the illustration may not reflect your situation.
Low financial aid impact
The benefit
Have less of your savings count against your financial aid eligibility.
How it works
Accounts are treated differently when it comes to financial aid calculations. The federal government and your child's school might expect you to use anywhere from 0% to 20% of your savings to pay tuition, depending on your account type.
For example, imagine you have $60,000 saved for college when it's time to apply for financial aid. Those savings might not hurt your kid's financial aid eligibility at all—or they might chop it by $12,000 ($60,000 x 20%) in the first year alone.
High contribution limits
The benefit
Contribute an unlimited or large amount to the account without incurring taxes.
How it works
Some types of accounts put a limit on how much you can save for college in a single year.
Don't let your college plans be ruined by picking an account that can't handle the amount of money you plan to save!
Earning potential
The benefit
Give your money more potential to grow.
How it works
Saving enough money for college is tough, but it's easier when you have some help. If you put your money to work and allow it to earn even more money, it will get you a lot closer to your goal.
For example, imagine you saved $25 a week for 18 years and kept it in a bank account earning 1% annual interest. When it's time for college, you'd have about $25,750—the $23,400 you put in and about $2,350 in interest.
Now imagine you took a little more risk in an account that earned 6% a year. After 18 years, you'd have about $42,600 instead.
That's almost $17,000 in additional money your child can use for college!
Access to your money
The benefit
Get the value of your investment back at any time.
How it works
Some types of accounts are owned by the student you're saving for—so that money belongs to them, no matter what.
Age-based options
The benefit
Choose an all-in-one investment that will be rebalanced and managed for you over time.
How it works
With most types of accounts, you'll need to choose investments for your contributions, taking into consideration your time frame and the amount of risk you're willing to take. You'll then need to reevaluate your account once a year or so.
If that doesn't sound fun to you, think about choosing an account that offers age-based options. They make choosing an investment easy, and ongoing account management is done for you automatically.
Total flexibility
The benefit
Use your money for anything, without penalty.
How it works
Accounts that offer you tax breaks for college savings generally (and not surprisingly) have a penalty if you don't use the money for qualified education expenses. So think about whether there's a high likelihood that you'll end up using the money for something else.
Account control
The benefit
Keep control of your money.
How it works
It's your money, so you should decide how it gets used, right?
For some types of accounts, it's not that simple. If control of the money is turned over to your child when he or she becomes an adult, it might get used for college … or it might not. Sports car, anyone?
529 college savings account
A savings plan sponsored by a state but generally open to anyone who wants to save for college.
State tax breaks
Yes. Depending on your state, contributions are often tax-deductible, and earnings grow tax-deferred.1 (Note that some states offer a tax credit instead of a tax deduction.) Withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified higher-education expenses.2
Federal tax breaks
Yes. Earnings grow tax-deferred, and there's no federal tax on withdrawals used to pay for qualified education expenses.
Low financial aid impact
Yes, almost always. Only about 5% of the money in these accounts is counted against federal financial aid, even if the student is also the account owner. However, if the account is owned by a student who is not claimed as a dependent or if the account is owned by someone else (grandparent, family friend, etc.), it could have a larger impact.
High contribution limits
Yes. The lifetime contribution limit per beneficiary is between $200,000 and $400,000, depending on the specific plan. And there are special gift tax exemptions—you can contribute up to $70,000 ($140,000 for married couples) to a specific student in a single year without incurring gift taxes (if you make no other contributions to that student over a 5-year period).
Earning potential
Yes. 529 plans offer a variety of investment portfolios to choose from, some of which are growth-oriented.
Access to your money
Yes. You can withdraw your money for any reason at any time, although you may pay taxes and a 10% penalty on the earnings portion of your withdrawal if you're not using the money for college.
Age-based options
Yes. 529 plans are the only plans to offer these all-in-one investment options that are automatically rebalanced and managed for you over time.
Total flexibility
No. These accounts are meant to be used for college. However, you can use the money at a wide range of schools or transfer the account to a different beneficiary if you don't end up needing the money. Or you can withdraw your money for any reason and pay taxes and a 10% penalty on the earnings (but not on the contributions).3
Account control
Yes. You control the account, even after the person you're saving for reaches adulthood.
footnote1The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.
footnote2In the event the donor does not survive the 5-year period, a prorated amount will revert back to the donor's taxable estate.
footnote3If you received a tax deduction on your contributions, your state might require you to pay it back if you use the money for expenses that aren't qualified. Some states also adjust the amount owed for inflation.
For more information about any 529 college 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. Vanguard Marketing Corporation serves as distributor and underwriter for some 529 plans.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.
UGMA/UTMA account
A Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account owned by a minor that's off limits until he or she reaches adulthood. After that, the money can be used for any purpose.
State tax breaks
No, you won't receive a state deduction or credit for money you contribute to these accounts, and they won't be exempt from taxes on the earnings. However, earnings will be taxed at the child's rate instead of the parent's rate.
Federal tax breaks
No, you won't be exempt from taxes on the earnings in these accounts. However, earnings will be taxed at the child's rate instead of the parent's rate.
Low financial aid impact
No. This account has significant impact on federal financial aid. The account belongs to the student, and 20% of the money in the account will count against federal financial aid.
High contribution limits
Yes. You can put up to $14,000 a year ($28,000 for married couples) without triggering gift tax rules.
Earning potential
Yes. You can invest the money in almost any type of security, including growth-oriented investments like stocks.
Access to your money
No, you can't take this money back. The account belongs to the beneficiary (the person you open the account for), so you can only use it on his or her behalf until he or she reaches adulthood (at which time the beneficiary will control the account).
Age-based options
No. Age-based options aren't available.
Total flexibility
Yes. These accounts aren't specifically for college, so the beneficiary can use the money for anything once he or she reaches adulthood.
Account control
No. Once the beneficiary reaches adulthood, he or she controls the money and can use it for any reason.
General investment account
An account that holds stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. The money can be used for anything.
State tax breaks
No. The money in these accounts receives no special state tax treatment. You'll pay tax on earnings as they accrue.
Federal tax breaks
No. The money in these accounts receives no special federal tax treatment. You'll pay tax on earnings as they accrue.
Low financial aid impact
Yes, if you (as the parent) own the account, only about 5% of the money in these accounts is counted against financial aid.
High contribution limits
Yes. You can invest any amount.
Earning potential
Yes. You can invest the money in almost any type of security, including growth-oriented investments like stocks.
Access to your money
Yes. You can withdraw the money for any reason at any time.
Age-based options
No. Age-based options aren't available.
Total flexibility
Yes. You can use the money for anything.
Account control
Yes. You control the account.
Education savings account (ESA)
An account that can be used for any level of education (kindergarten through postsecondary).
State tax breaks
No. The money in these accounts receives no special state tax treatment. You'll pay tax on earnings as they accrue.
Federal tax breaks
Yes. Earnings grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals are federal income tax-free when used for qualified education expenses.
Low financial aid impact
Yes, almost always. Only about 5% of the money in these accounts is counted against federal financial aid, even if the student is also the account owner. However, if the account is owned by a student who is not claimed as a dependent, or if the account is owned by someone else (grandparent, family friend, etc.), it could have a larger impact.
High contribution limits
No. You can contribute a maximum of $2,000 each year per beneficiary (the person you're opening the account for).
Earning potential
Yes. You can invest the money in almost any type of security, including growth-oriented investments like stocks.
Access to your money
Yes. You can withdraw your money for any reason at any time, although you may pay taxes and a 10% penalty on the earnings portion of your withdrawal if you're not using the money for college.
Age-based options
No. Age-based options aren't available.
Total flexibility
No, these accounts are meant to be used for education. However, you can use the money for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, or change the beneficiary if you don't end up needing the money. Or you can withdraw your money for any reason and pay taxes and a 10% penalty on the earnings (but not on the contributions).
Account control
Yes, for the most part, you control the account. However, once the beneficiary reaches age 30, if there's still money in the account, you'll have to give the money to him or her (and pay taxes and penalties) or roll it over to another beneficiary.