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Newborn enrollment for children younger than 1 year of age is open through midnight CT on July 31. Prices are subject to change when the next enrollment period begins Sept. 1.

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Other Ways to Save


Other than 529 Plan:  A 529 plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or an educational institution and designed to help families set aside funds for college. It is named after Section 529 of the internal revenue code, which authorized these types of tax-advantaged savings plans in 1996. Earnings on 529 plans are tax-free if used for qualified higher education expenses. (Unqualified withdrawals may be taxable as ordinary income and subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.) The Pension Protection Act of 2006 made the tax-free character of 529s a permanent part of federal law. there are other ways to save for college.

Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA or ESA):  A trust or custodial account in which contributions grow on a tax-deferred basis and withdrawals are tax free if used to pay for a broad range of educational expenses, including private high school tuition. Unlike 529 plans, ESAs have annual contribution limits and income restrictions. , for example, offer qualified withdrawals free of federal taxes. Features include:

  • Flexible Benficiary:  The person designated by the Purchaser under a Prepaid Tuition Contract as the person for whom undergraduate tuition and required fees will be paid to an Eligible Educational Institution when authorized by the Purchaser. designation
  • Can be applied to elementary, secondary and higher education expenses
  • Money can be gifted to a child who can open their own account, bypassing income restrictions
  • Investment flexibility
  • Considered a parental asset for federal aid purposes if parent is the owner

Please keep in mind that parents and donors are required to either distribute the Coverdell ESA at age 30 or roll it over to another child. Thus, if there is still money in the account and the child either decides against going to college or does not need all the money, a parent may eventually have to transfer ownership of the account to the child.

Contributions are limited to $2,000 per Benficiary:  The person designated by the Purchaser under a Prepaid Tuition Contract as the person for whom undergraduate tuition and required fees will be paid to an Eligible Educational Institution when authorized by the Purchaser. per year and contributors must have income below a certain amount.

:  Accounts are another alternative to 529 Plans. Benefits include:

  • A portion of earnings taxable at student’s rate
  • No limit on amount transferred to account
  • Investment flexibility
  • Unrestricted use of assets, provided it is for the benefit of the minor

Remember, the UGMA/UTMA Custodian loses all control of the funds when the minor reaches the age of majority. Depending on the state, that could be 18 or 21 years of age. And the custodian has limited control before the minor reaches the age of majority. The custodian cannot change the Benficiary:  The person designated by the Purchaser under a Prepaid Tuition Contract as the person for whom undergraduate tuition and required fees will be paid to an Eligible Educational Institution when authorized by the Purchaser. of an :  account.

Consider Scholarships and Aid

There are many ways to close the gap between the cost of college and your ability to pay.

Educate yourself on the many ways to offset the cost of education. Consider the following:

  • Scholarships: A wide variety of financial scholarships are available to many deserving students.
  • Financial Aid: By completing a standardized Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application you can find out if you qualify for financial aid. You can also learn more about federal financial aid opportunities by visiting the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) website.
  • Assets in 529 plans and distributions from 529 plans receive favorable treatment in the federal financial aid eligibility formula when certain conditions are met.
  • By Texas law, assets in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund may not be considered in determining eligibility for Texas state-funded student financial aid.
  • School based financial aid does not have to follow the federal formula. 529 plan assets might have a bigger impact on school-based financial aid.

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