Click here to enlarge imagePrepaid tuition plansPrepaid tuition plans are generally sponsored by individual states and allow you to lock in tomorrow's tuition costs at today's levels. States typically invest in state-backed bonds for the future funding — a very conservative strategy. Buyers essentially purchase "units" that can be used to pay for future tuition costs. Typically, 100 units will be the equivalent of one year of tuition. The price of each unit depends on the amount of time before your child reaches the age of 18. In other words, the older your child is at the time the units are purchased, the more each unit will cost.
Each state sets its own guidelines regarding the transferability of tuition units to other children. The units can be used for tuition only; fees, housing, and other college expenses are not included. The maximum contribution is limited to 400 units or four years of tuition for each individual child.
When these plans first originated, the units could only be used for tuition at state schools. However, many state-sponsored plans are now allowing the units to be used in all colleges within the state. Some even allow the units to be used for out-of-state schools. Research all the details before investing in this type of plan.
529 College Savings PlanThe 529 College Savings Plan was created under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. The 529 Plan is very similar from state to state; however, each state has features that are unique to its plan.
The 529 Plan has become very popular in the last few years. Consumers should be cautious; some are more consumer friendly than others. States such as Arkansas, Maine, and Indiana have high annual management fees (1.8 percent to 1.6 percent). Iowa, Utah, and New York have much lower annual fees (.30 percent to .65 percent).
The annual maximum contribution to a 529 plan varies by state, from $25,000 to as much as $100,000. The highest lifetime contribution in one state is $150,000! When you consider the power of compounding and the amount that a 529 Plan can grow, your child could go to any school in the country.
529 plans have some important benefits. The funds grow tax-deferred for the life of the account, and the contributions flow out of the estate of the contributor.
Another unique feature of this plan is that contributors can retrieve the funds for their personal use. This type of withdrawal does have some tax disadvantages as well as a withdrawal penalty. Some states also allow a state income tax deduction for contributions into 529 accounts.
Regulations vary on whether or not individuals from out-of-state can set up accounts. For example, the Oklahoma College Savings plan is open to residents from any state and can be used for tuition at any qualified post-secondary institution. This makes this plan an attractive option for Texas residents, which does not offer a 529 plan. Make sure you are informed of all of the options before investing in any program. Finally, most programs will allow you to change the beneficiary of the account, as long as the beneficiaries are related.
Many individual mutual fund companies are getting into the 529 business. Merrill Lynch and Fidelity Investments have dedicated considerable resources to developing their own 529 plans. Each company manages one or more state plans that are open to just about anyone wishing to participate. The prospect of Merrill Lynch or Fidelity managing college funds for a child vs. a state government managing a college fund is reassuring for many investors.
College financing today is a challenge; economic forecasts indicate that costs will continue to increase dramatically. Careful research and planning, however, will help parents meet the challenge head-on.
