It is really here! We are getting ready for college. I have been thinking of my NY529 plan a lot lately and some wonderful advice that I received a few years ago “Every dollar saved is one less dollar borrowed.”
With my oldest savvy now a junior, we have been on the road traveling through NY and Vermont so far. We are welcomed with signs that say “Join us”. How do we choose? Only time will tell. Will it be a private college or university? Will it be a state school?
I might not be exactly where I would like to be in my savings for college but I have been doing my best. And like I said already “Every dollar saved is one less dollar borrowed.”
Getting Ready for College with a 529 Savings Plan
If you have questions about the NY529 Plan, I have answers to the most FAQ.
What is a 529 college savings plan?
It’s a type of investment account you can use for higher-education savings. 529 plans are usually sponsored by states.
What makes a 529 Savings Plan so powerful?
Tax savings. Your earnings grow federally tax-deferred, qualified withdrawals are tax-free,* and some states (like New York) have other tax benefits as well. Up to $10,000 is deductible annually from New York State taxable income for married couples filing jointly; single taxpayers can deduct up to $5,000 annually. May be subject to recapture in certain circumstances such as rollovers to another state’s 529 plan or nonqualified withdrawals.
How can I use the money in a 529 account?
College isn’t just about tuition. There are so many other expenses as well. It’s great to know that it can be used for many of the things listed below.
You can use it to pay for anything that’s considered a qualified higher-education expense, including tuition; books; supplies; equipment; expenses for the purchase of certain computer equipment, software, and computer-related services; and certain room and board fees.
What happens if my child gets a scholarship?
Scholarships are consider an exception to the above. As long as the equivalent amount of the scholarship is withdrawn, the money would not be subject to a penalty. However, you would owe income taxes on any earnings since you had the benefit of tax free growth.
How much can I invest?
529 account contribution limits are generally high—from $200,000 to $400,000 or more, depending on the state. For the Direct Plan, you can contribute up to $520,000 on behalf of one beneficiary. This amount includes all New York-sponsored 529 savings accounts held for the same beneficiary.
Another great feature of is that your 529 account can be used to pay for qualified higher-education expenses at any eligible educational institution, including:
- Post-secondary trade and vocational schools.
- 2- and 4- year colleges.
- Postgraduate programs.
It doesn’t take a lot to start an account either. You can visit www.nysaves.org and start an account with as little as $25.
With the NY 529 Direct College Savings Plan, friends and family can contribute to your child’s 529 account. You can learn more about Ugift here.
Fun Facts Learned about the NY529 Plan
- Beneficiaries can attend college in any state, not just the state sponsoring the 529 plan.
There are no income restrictions to open a 529 account. - An “eligible education institution” is a school that has been assigned a federal school code by the Department of Education.
- The account owner—not the beneficiary—is always in control of the account, even when the beneficiary becomes an adult.
- There is no age limit for beneficiaries of a 529 on a 529 plan.
- A beneficiary can have more than one account. For example, parents can open an account for a child and grandparents can open an account for the same child.
- Advantages of a 529: tax deductions, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free withdrawals.
Recurring contributions are a convenient way for account owners to set up regular contributions. - 529 funds can be transferred to a close relative of the beneficiary if he or she doesn’t need the money.
There are so many great reasons why you should open a NY 529 Direct College Savings Plan. By visiting www.nysaves.org, you can find out all the facts and start one today.
This sounds like a really good plan.
Thanks for all the information on the 529 plan.
I love all this great info and plan to share it with family and friends!
This sounds like a great plan, and probably something one of my daughters would be interested in for her son,
@tisonlyme143
Those that have kids should take advantage of this. The sooner the better!
This is really great! We have something similar here in Illinois. Thanks for the article.
I think its so important for parent to help provide the proper plan for your child.
@tisonlyme143
I plan to pass these tips on my friends with college age kids!
My daughter has finish wish i knew about this
I’ve been dealing with three 529 plans with three more pending in the future. This article is full of valuable information for anyone with children destined for college.
The 529 plan is such a good idea. All parents should take advantage of it.
Cool, It is important to be prepared in advance. Very useful info
This is such a great way to save for college for our family. It is so expensive anymore. Thank you so much for sharing this
Thanks for sharing this with us, sounds great.
Good information on these NY 529 Direct College Savings Plans!
I started a savings account for each of them when they were born for college or some kind of further education. Training is important to get a good job.
Thank you for the information, Rock on. 🙂
That sounds like a really awesome savings plan! It would be nice to have accounts for my grandchildren.
This sounds like a lot of good information for parents. My great niece got accepted at WVU and she is so excited. Fingers crossed that she she get all the scholarships to help her out.
I believe in the NY529 plan and am placing money in the plans I have set up for my 3 grandchildren.
Thank you for the intformation, sounds interesting.