Where do I begin?
Children are wonderful, and they're expensive! With so many new items you need, it can be hard to start an education savings as well. But starting small now can make a big difference later.
Where do I begin?
Here's what other parents are asking
Savings calculator
How much should you save? It depends on your income and the schools you have in mind. It’s fine to start small.
If I save a month
Estimated savings when my child is 18 years old:
$0*
That's about 0% of
what you'll need for four years of in-state
tuition.
* Assumes a hypothetical annual growth rate of 6%. For illustrative purposes. Not intended to portray an actual investment.
Ready to create a detailed plan?
Go to the college calculatorGive it a boost!
Yearly bonus? Tax refund? Put part — or all — of it into your 529 education savings plan.
Ask for gifts toward your child’s 529 savings plan on birthdays and holidays.
Have your child join in the effort.
Lemonade stands and part-time jobs can help grow the funds, too.
It’s better to start somewhere and start now. Small savings can make a big difference over time.
CollegeAmerica 529 savings plan basics
Saving for education is like planning a big trip — getting to your destination takes a good plan. A 529 savings plan is a popular way to save for college.
A CollegeAmerica 529 savings plan makes it easy.
Flexible
You can use funds from a 529 savings plan for more than college tuition, including housing, books and computer equipment.
Save on taxes
The earnings on your 529 savings plan investments are exempt from federal taxes, and in many cases, free of state taxes. Tax-advantaged treatment applies to savings used for qualified education expenses. State tax treatment varies.
Transferable
A 529 savings plan gives you the option of transferring the account to another child, a relative, even yourself!
Have more questions?
Wondering how to save for your child’s education? Get answers about opening an account, making contributions and withdrawals, updating your beneficiaries and more.
Do I need to use my own state's plan?
No. Many states offer national plans, so you can invest in them, no matter where you live — or where your child eventually goes to school. Depending on your state of residence, there may be an in-state plan that provides state tax and other state benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, not available through CollegeAmerica. Before investing in any state's 529 plan, investors should consult a tax advisor.
How much do I need to open an account?
We’ve made it as easy as possible. You can open an account with as little as $250, and make additional contributions as low as $50. And, for an employer-sponsored program, it's even easier . . . you can automatically invest as little as $25 per fund on a schedule you select. Some employers offer 529 savings plans that enable you to contribute directly from your paycheck.
How do I contribute to my account?
If you opened the account, you can set up an automatic investment plan, or contribute additional money online or by check anytime.
choose
CollegeAmerica 529 savings plan
You trust your doctor with your health and your mechanic with your car. You shouldn’t settle for anything less when you’re deciding where to invest your money.
Trusted by more than 1 million families nationwide, CollegeAmerica is the country’s largest 529 savings plan* with more than $92.7 billion invested.†
We're helping more than 2.5 million investors support future students in pursuing their dreams.‡
- Any adult who's a U.S. citizen or legal resident can open a CollegeAmerica 529 savings plan, regardless of income.
- The earnings in a 529 savings plan are exempt from federal taxes if withdrawals are used for qualified expenses. And some states offer tax benefits as well.
- CollegeAmerica fees are among the lowest in the industry.**
- If withdrawals are used for purposes other than qualified education expenses, the earnings will be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty in addition to federal and, if applicable, state income tax. States take different approaches to the income tax treatment of withdrawals. For example, withdrawals for K-12 expenses may not be exempt from state tax in certain states. State tax treatment varies.
Open a 529 savings plan
A 529 CollegeAmerica savings plan is only one type of investment Capital Group offers. For a complete investment strategy for your growing family we recommend choosing a financial professional to work with via our financial professional locator. Ready to open a new account? Review the CollegeAmerica program description and then download the application below.