You have money in a 529 plan, or you are about to start one, and you keep wondering: “What if I mess this up and get hit with taxes and penalties?” That fear is valid. 529 plan rules are powerful when you follow them and painful when you do not.
This guide walks you through the rules step by step. You will learn exactly what a 529 plan is, how much you can contribute, what counts as a qualified expense, what happens if you take money out for the wrong thing, how 529s affect FAFSA, and how the new 529 to Roth IRA rollover works. By the end, you will know how to use your plan confidently and avoid costly mistakes.
Is Your 529 Plan a Tax Trap or a Golden Ticket?
A 529 plan can feel like a tax trap when you are not sure what “qualified higher education expenses” really mean or how withdrawals interact with taxes and financial aid. One wrong move and you might face income taxes and a 10 percent penalty on earnings.
Used correctly, though, a 529 is a golden ticket to tax-deferred growth and potentially tax-free withdrawals on education costs. It can help you turn years of disciplined saving into a powerful education fund for a child, grandchild, or even yourself.
In this definitive guide, you will get a clear roadmap. We will cover the core rules under Internal Revenue Code Section 529, how to fund and use your account, what to do when life changes, and how to coordinate your 529 with financial aid and long term planning.
The Core Rules: What Exactly is a 529 Plan?
A 529 plan, formally called a Qualified Tuition Program (QTP), is a tax-advantaged account designed to pay for education expenses. Every state plus the District of Columbia sponsors at least one plan, and some colleges do as well. The federal rules come from Internal Revenue Code Section 529, but states add their own twists.
According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 529 plans allow your contributions to grow tax deferred and later be withdrawn tax free if used for qualified expenses. You can read an overview of these programs according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Key Terminology Explained: Account Owner, Beneficiary, Eligible Educational Institution
Before you go deeper, you need a few core terms.
- Account owner: The person who controls the 529 account. They decide:
- How much to contribute.
- How to invest the money.
- When and for what purpose to withdraw.
- Whether to change the beneficiary.
- Beneficiary: The person whose education expenses the account is meant to cover. This can be:
- A child or grandchild.
- Another relative.
- Yourself.
- Eligible educational institution:
- Most accredited colleges, universities, and vocational schools that participate in federal student aid programs.
- Certain registered apprenticeship programs.
- For some expenses, K 12 schools for tuition.
The official definition of an eligible educational institution and qualified higher education expenses (QHEE) is laid out as defined in IRS Publication 970.
Two Flavors of 529 Plans: Education Savings Plans vs. Prepaid Tuition Plans
There are two main types of 529 plans, each with different rules and benefits.
- Education Savings Plans:
- Work like an investment account.
- You contribute money and choose among investment options such as age based portfolios or index funds.
- The account balance can be used for a wide range of qualified higher education expenses (QHEE) and some K 12 tuition.
- Account value fluctuates with market performance, so you can gain or lose money.
- Prepaid Tuition Plans:
- Allow you to prepay tuition at today’s rates for future attendance at certain colleges, usually public in state schools.
- Typically limited to tuition and mandatory fees, not room and board or other costs.
- Not all states offer these, and they may have residency or age restrictions.
Both types are considered 529 plans and follow federal tax rules for Qualified Tuition Programs, but details such as guarantees, investment choices, and eligible schools vary by plan.
The Big Picture: Federal vs. State-Level Rules
Federal rules determine:
- What counts as qualified higher education expenses.
- Which withdrawals are tax free.
- When the 10 percent penalty applies on non qualified withdrawals.
- Rules around changing beneficiaries, rollovers, and the 529 to Roth IRA rollover.
State rules determine:
- Whether you get a state income tax deduction or credit for contributions.
- Contribution or aggregate balance limits for that state’s plan.
- Any state specific penalties if you later roll money to another plan or take non qualified withdrawals.
You can usually invest in any state’s 529 plan, but your home state’s tax law may reward or penalize you for going out of state. Always check both the plan disclosure and your state tax rules.
Funding Your 529: Contribution Rules You Can’t Ignore
There is no annual federal limit on how much you can contribute to a 529, but there are practical caps, state caps, and gift tax rules you cannot ignore. Getting these right affects how fast your tax-deferred growth can build.
How Much Can You Contribute? Annual & Lifetime Limits
Federal tax law does not impose a strict annual contribution limit per beneficiary. Instead, contributions are treated as gifts for federal gift tax purposes.
- Annual gift tax exclusion: In 2025, you can generally give up to the annual exclusion amount per beneficiary without filing a gift tax return. (Check current IRS limits each year.)
- State aggregate limits: Every state sets a maximum total balance per beneficiary, often in the $300,000 to $600,000 range or higher. Once you hit that, you cannot contribute more, although the account can still grow.
Contributions above the annual exclusion are still allowed, but they may require filing a gift tax return, and for very large gifts they may start to use your lifetime estate and gift tax exemption.
The ‘Superfunding’ Strategy: Using the 5-Year Gift Tax Averaging Rule
529 plans have a special rule that allows you to “superfund” an account. You can front load up to five years of annual gift tax exclusions into a single year and elect to spread that gift over five years for gift tax purposes.
In practice, this lets grandparents or parents contribute a large lump sum early in a child’s life so it has more time to grow. The main power of this strategy comes from maximizing time in the market. If you want to understand why early investing matters so much, read more about the advantage of investing early and how compounding works in long term portfolios.
Key points on superfunding:
- You must make a special election on your federal gift tax return (Form 709) to spread the gift over five years.
- If you die within the five year period, a portion of the gift may be included in your taxable estate.
- You generally cannot make additional exclusion level gifts to the same beneficiary during the five year period without using more of your lifetime exemption.
Who Can Contribute? Rules for Parents, Grandparents, and Others
Almost anyone can contribute to a 529 plan:
- Parents, including single parents.
- Grandparents.
- Other relatives, such as aunts, uncles, or siblings.
- Non relatives and even the beneficiary themselves.
The account owner does not have to be the person providing the money. For example, a parent can own the account and grandparents can simply make contributions to that account. Or a grandparent can own their own 529 for a grandchild, which can have different implications for financial aid.
A Quick Table: Contribution Limits and Gift Tax Exclusions
| Rule | How It Works | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Annual gift tax exclusion | Up to the IRS annual limit per donor per beneficiary without using lifetime exemption. | Governs how much you can give to a 529 each year without extra tax reporting. |
| 5 year superfunding | Front load up to 5 times the annual exclusion and elect to spread it over 5 years. | Lets you invest more early for longer tax deferred and tax free growth. |
| State aggregate cap | Each state sets a maximum total balance per beneficiary, often $300k plus. | Once reached, you cannot contribute more, though earnings can continue. |
| Who can contribute | Anyone, including parents, grandparents, and non relatives. | Allows family and others to help fund the beneficiary’s education. |
Using Your 529 Funds: The Official Qualified Expense Rulebook
The single most important part of 529 plan rules is understanding what counts as qualified higher education expenses (QHEE). Get this right and you get tax free withdrawals on earnings. Get it wrong and you face income tax and penalties.
What Counts as a Qualified Higher Education Expense (QHEE)?
The IRS defines which expenses are qualified for 529 purposes as defined in IRS Publication 970. In general, the expenses must be required for the beneficiary’s enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution.
Tuition and Mandatory Fees
These are the core QHEE items:
- Tuition for undergraduate or graduate study.
- Mandatory fees charged by the school, such as enrollment, lab, or technology fees if required for attendance.
These costs usually qualify whether the student is full time or part time, as long as they are enrolled in a degree or eligible program.
Books, Supplies, and Required Equipment
529 rules also cover:
- Books required for a course.
- Supplies such as lab goggles or art materials, if required.
- Equipment the school requires for specific classes.
Optional items or general purpose supplies not required for enrollment may not qualify, so keep receipts that clearly show course requirements when possible.
Computers, Software, and Internet Access
529 funds can be used for:
- Computer, laptop, or related peripheral equipment.
- Software, if it is primarily used for education.
- Internet service used by the beneficiary during school.
The key is that the technology must be used primarily by the beneficiary during years they are enrolled. Buying electronics mainly for entertainment may not meet the spirit of the rules.
Room and Board Rules: On-Campus vs. Off-Campus
Room and board are qualified expenses, but only up to strict limits. This is an area where many families accidentally break the rules.
On-Campus Housing
If the student lives in school operated housing, you can typically use 529 funds for:
- Room charges billed by the school.
- Meal plans billed by the school.
These costs are generally qualified up to the amount listed in the school’s official cost of attendance for room and board.
Off-Campus Housing and Documentation
If the student lives off campus, the rules are more nuanced:
- The qualified amount for room and board cannot exceed the room and board allowance included in the school’s cost of attendance for that academic period.
- Even if actual rent and food costs are higher, the 529 qualified amount is capped at that allowance.
To document off campus housing:
- Get the school’s official cost of attendance breakdown that shows the room and board allowance.
- Keep the lease agreement, rent receipts, and evidence of utility payments.
- Keep receipts for groceries or a reasonable log of food expenses. Restaurant meals are harder to document as “board” and may be scrutinized.
You do not submit receipts to your 529 plan provider. Instead, you keep them in your own records in case the IRS ever questions a withdrawal.
Beyond College: K-12, Apprenticeships, and Student Loans
529 plans now cover more than traditional college tuition. But each category has specific caps and rules.
K-12 Tuition: The $10,000 Annual Limit Per Beneficiary
You can use 529 funds for K 12 tuition at public, private, or religious schools, but:
- The federal rule caps this at $10,000 per year per beneficiary for K 12 tuition.
- This is only for tuition, not books, supplies, or transportation.
- Your state may treat K 12 withdrawals differently for state tax purposes. Some states do not conform and may tax these withdrawals.
Always check your state’s position before using a 529 for K 12 expenses.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs: What Expenses Are Covered?
Some apprenticeship programs qualify for 529 use if they are registered and certified with the U.S. Department of Labor. For eligible programs, you can generally use 529 funds for:
- Tuition and fees required for the apprenticeship.
- Books and supplies required for the program.
- Equipment such as tools, if they are required for participation.
Before withdrawing for an apprenticeship, confirm that the program is a registered apprenticeship program and verify which costs are required by the program provider.
Student Loan Repayment: The $10,000 Lifetime Limit
529 plans can also be used for student loan repayment within limits:
- You can use up to $10,000 lifetime from a 529 to pay down the beneficiary’s qualified student loans.
- In addition, you can use up to $10,000 lifetime for each of the beneficiary’s siblings to pay their student loans.
- This $10,000 cap is per person, not per 529 account.
Again, some states do not follow the federal rule for loan repayments and may treat these as non qualified for state income tax purposes. Review both federal and state guidance before using this option.
What Happens When You Break the Rules? Non-Qualified Withdrawals Explained
If you use 529 money for expenses that do not qualify, the withdrawal becomes a non qualified withdrawal. That is when taxes and penalties show up.
The Federal 10% Penalty Tax: How It Is Calculated
Each withdrawal from a 529 is considered part basis (your original contributions) and part earnings (growth). If the withdrawal is non qualified:
- There is no tax or penalty on the portion that is your contributions.
- The earnings portion is subject to ordinary income tax plus a 10 percent additional tax (penalty).
The 10 percent penalty generally applies unless an exception exists, such as when the beneficiary receives a scholarship, attends a U.S. military academy, dies, or becomes disabled.
Income Taxes on Earnings: Federal and State Levels
For non qualified withdrawals, the earnings portion is taxed as ordinary income at the recipient’s tax rate. The recipient is usually the account owner or the beneficiary, depending on how the distribution is directed.
At the state level:
- States that gave you a deduction or credit for contributions may “recapture” those benefits if you take non qualified withdrawals.
- States may also tax the earnings portion of non qualified withdrawals as income.
Check both your 529 program disclosure and your state’s tax instructions so you are not surprised at tax time.
State-Specific Penalties
Some states add their own penalties on top of the federal 10 percent penalty when you:
- Take non qualified withdrawals.
- Rollover funds to another state’s plan after receiving state tax benefits.
These penalties vary widely, so they are a key reason to read your specific plan’s program description and your state’s tax rules carefully before withdrawing or moving funds.
Clear Example: Taxes and Penalties on a Non-Qualified Withdrawal
Assume you contributed $20,000 to a 529 and over time it grew to $30,000. That means you have $20,000 in basis and $10,000 in earnings. You decide to withdraw the entire $30,000, but only $15,000 is used for qualified expenses. The other $15,000 is non qualified.
The plan will treat each dollar of withdrawal as two thirds basis and one third earnings, because 20,000 of 30,000 (two thirds) is contributions and 10,000 of 30,000 (one third) is earnings.
- Total withdrawal: $30,000.
- Earnings portion: 1/3 of $30,000 = $10,000.
- Non qualified portion of withdrawal: $15,000.
- Earnings in the non qualified portion: 1/3 of $15,000 = $5,000.
On that $5,000 of earnings:
- You owe ordinary income tax, say 22 percent, which is $1,100.
- You also owe the 10 percent penalty, which is $500.
Total federal cost on the non qualified portion: $1,600, plus any state tax or recapture. While that can feel harsh, remember that 529 tax free growth on the qualified portion often outperforms other savings methods over time. If you are comparing options for shorter term savings where you might not use all funds for education, you can also compare this to high-interest savings accounts where gains are taxed annually but there is no education use restriction.
When Life Changes: Flexible 529 Rules for Every Scenario
One of the biggest worries parents have is, “What if my child does not go to college?” The good news is that 529 plans are more flexible than many people realize. You have several options if your original plan changes.
Changing the Beneficiary: How to Transfer Funds to Another Eligible Family Member
You can usually change the beneficiary on a 529 plan without triggering taxes or penalties, as long as the new beneficiary is a member of the family of the current beneficiary as defined in the tax code.
Eligible family members typically include:
- Brothers and sisters, including step and half siblings.
- Children, stepchildren, grandchildren.
- Parents, grandparents.
- First cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews.
- Spouses of the people above.
Common scenarios:
- Child gets a full scholarship, so you change the beneficiary to a sibling.
- Child decides not to attend college, so you change the beneficiary to yourself for future education.
- Original beneficiary finishes with money left over, so you change the beneficiary to a future grandchild.
Changing the beneficiary within the family helps preserve the tax advantaged status of the account.
The Scholarship Exception: How to Withdraw Funds Penalty-Free
If the beneficiary receives a tax free scholarship, fellowship, veterans’ educational assistance, or employer tuition assistance, you can withdraw up to that amount from the 529 without paying the 10 percent penalty.
Important details:
- The withdrawal is still subject to income tax on the earnings portion, but the 10 percent penalty is waived.
- The penalty free amount is limited to the tax free scholarship or assistance the beneficiary actually receives.
- Keep documentation of the scholarship awards and amounts for your records.
This exception gives you a way to reclaim some funds if the student’s tuition is largely covered by scholarships without being fully locked in to education spending.
The New 529-to-Roth IRA Rollover (SECURE 2.0 Act)
The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced a major new flexibility: under certain conditions, unused 529 funds can be rolled into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary. This helps address the “what if there is money left over” worry and connects education savings with long term retirement savings.
The IRS has issued details about how this works in recent IRS guidance on 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers.
Who Is Eligible? Beneficiary Requirements and the 15-Year Rule
The new rule has strict eligibility conditions:
- The Roth IRA must be in the name of the 529 plan beneficiary, not the account owner.
- The 529 plan must have been maintained for at least 15 years.
- Contributions (and earnings on those contributions) made in the last 5 years cannot be rolled over.
- The beneficiary must have earned income at least equal to the amount rolled over for that year, because it counts toward their annual Roth IRA contribution limit.
How Much Can Be Rolled Over? Annual and Lifetime Limits
There are both annual and lifetime caps on these rollovers:
- The rollover is limited by the beneficiary’s annual Roth IRA contribution limit for that year, reduced by any other IRA contributions they make.
- There is a lifetime maximum amount that can be rolled from a 529 to a Roth IRA for a particular beneficiary, as specified in SECURE 2.0 and clarified by the IRS.
Because these limits are tied to Roth IRA contribution rules, they can change over time. Always confirm the current year’s IRA limits and any updated IRS guidance before acting.
Step-by-Step Process for Executing the Rollover
- Confirm eligibility:
- Verify the 529 has been open at least 15 years.
- Determine which contributions are older than 5 years.
- Confirm the beneficiary has earned income for the year.
- Check amounts:
- Calculate the beneficiary’s annual Roth IRA contribution limit.
- Subtract any other IRA contributions they have made for the year.
- Check remaining 529 balance and lifetime rollover cap.
- Coordinate with providers:
- Contact the 529 plan administrator and the financial institution holding the Roth IRA.
- Request a direct rollover from the 529 to the Roth IRA in the beneficiary’s name.
- Follow any forms or instructions they provide to code the transaction correctly.
- Document the rollover:
- Keep statements and confirmations from both accounts.
- Work with a tax professional to report the rollover correctly on tax returns.
This rule makes 529 plans a more flexible piece of your overall financial strategy because unused funds can support the beneficiary’s retirement rather than being trapped or penalized. It ties education savings directly to your broader retirement planning efforts and can reduce the fear of “overfunding” a 529.
Don’t Let Your 529 Hurt Financial Aid: FAFSA Rules & Strategies
Families often worry that saving in a 529 will ruin their chances for financial aid. The reality is more nuanced. The way 529 assets and withdrawals are treated under FAFSA rules depends on who owns the account and which FAFSA version applies.
How 529 Plans Are Reported on the FAFSA
Parent-Owned 529s: Treated as a Parent Asset
When a parent or dependent student owns a 529 plan for that student, FAFSA usually treats the account as a parent asset. Parent assets are assessed at a much lower rate than student assets. In practice:
- Up to a certain threshold of parental assets is protected.
- Above that, only a small percentage (often up to about 5 percent) is considered available for college each year.
Qualified withdrawals from a parent owned 529 do not count as income to the student on the FAFSA, which makes these accounts reasonably aid friendly.
Grandparent-Owned 529s: The New FAFSA Simplification Act Rules
Historically, grandparent owned 529s were tricky because distributions could be treated as untaxed income to the student and reduce aid in a future year. Under the new FAFSA rules, that concern is largely removed.
The FAFSA Simplification Act changed how income and assets are reported. Grandparent owned 529 plans are no longer counted as income to the student when distributions are made, and they are generally not reported as an asset on the FAFSA either. You can review these changes in detail under the FAFSA Simplification Act.
This makes grandparent owned 529s much more straightforward and often highly favorable from a financial aid perspective.
Minimizing the Impact: Strategic Timing of Withdrawals
Even with favorable rules, it is smart to coordinate 529 usage with financial aid timing:
- For parent owned 529s, prioritize qualified 529 withdrawals over taking additional loans, since withdrawals do not increase income on the FAFSA.
- If any distributions could be considered income under older or non FAFSA formulas, consider timing them in later academic years when there are fewer future aid applications.
- Coordinate with the school’s financial aid office if you are unsure how certain distributions may be treated under the school’s own aid formulas.
Many private colleges use their own institutional aid formulas, which may treat 529s differently from the federal FAFSA rules.
Table: Comparing FAFSA Impact of Parent-Owned vs. Grandparent-Owned Plans
| Ownership | How Assets Are Treated | How Withdrawals Are Treated | FAFSA Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent owned 529 | Reported as a parent asset, assessed at a modest rate. | Qualified withdrawals are not reported as income to the student. | Generally moderate impact on aid eligibility. |
| Student owned 529 (dependent student) | Often treated similarly to parent assets for FAFSA purposes. | Qualified withdrawals typically not counted as income. | Similar impact to parent owned in most FAFSA cases. |
| Grandparent owned 529 | Typically not reported as an asset on the FAFSA. | Under updated rules, distributions are no longer counted as student income. | Often minimal direct FAFSA impact, though institutional formulas may differ. |
A Quick Guide to State-Specific 529 Plan Rules
While federal rules define what a 529 plan is and how distributions are taxed, state specific rules determine whether you get an upfront tax break and what happens if you change plans or take non qualified withdrawals.
State Income Tax Deductions or Credits: The Biggest Benefit of Using Your Home State’s Plan
Many states offer a state income tax deduction or credit when you contribute to their 529 plan. For example:
- Some states allow a deduction up to a certain amount per beneficiary each year.
- Others offer a credit, which directly reduces your state tax bill up to a certain cap.
These tax breaks can significantly reduce the effective cost of contributions. However, if you later move funds out of the state plan or take non qualified withdrawals, the state may recapture those tax benefits.
Parity Rules: Do You Get a Tax Break for Using Any State’s Plan?
A handful of states have “tax parity” rules. This means they give you a tax deduction or credit for contributions to any state’s 529 plan, not just their own.
Other states only offer tax benefits if you use their specific plan. Some states have no income tax at all and therefore no state level tax benefit, regardless of which plan you choose.
Table: Examples of States With Deductions, Credits, or No Tax Benefit
The exact rules change over time, but here is a high level illustration of how different states may treat contributions:
| State Example | Type of Tax Benefit | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| State A | Deduction up to a set amount per beneficiary. | Only contributions to State A’s own 529 plan. |
| State B | Tax credit up to a percentage of contributions. | Only contributions to State B’s plan. |
| State C | Tax parity deduction. | Contributions to any state’s eligible 529 plan. |
| State D | No state income tax. | No direct state tax benefit for contributions. |
Always check your own state’s current rules to understand the true after tax cost of funding your 529.
Frequently Asked Questions About 529 Rules
What are the primary tax advantages of a 529 plan?
A 529 plan offers tax deferred growth on your investments. You do not pay federal income tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains each year. When you take tax free withdrawals for qualified higher education expenses (QHEE), you also avoid federal tax on the earnings altogether. Many states add an upfront tax deduction or credit on contributions as well, although they may claw this back on non qualified withdrawals.
Can I have 529 plans in multiple states?
Yes. You can open 529 plans in multiple states and even multiple plans for the same beneficiary. There is no federal rule limiting you to a single plan. However, your home state’s tax deduction or credit, if offered, may only apply to contributions made to its own plan. Be sure to track aggregate contributions relative to state specific balance caps.
What happens to the 529 plan if the beneficiary dies or becomes disabled?
If the beneficiary dies, the 529 account’s balance is usually payable to the beneficiary’s estate or a named successor, depending on the plan’s rules. Earnings in that distribution may be subject to income tax, but the 10 percent penalty often does not apply. If the beneficiary becomes disabled as defined for tax purposes, distributions can sometimes be made without the penalty as well. Account owners frequently choose instead to change the beneficiary to another eligible family member to preserve the account’s tax advantaged status.
How do I prove my expenses were qualified during a withdrawal?
Your 529 plan administrator does not check or approve expenses, so it is up to you to maintain records. Best practices include:
- Keep tuition and fee statements from the school.
- Retain invoices and receipts for required books, supplies, and equipment.
- Save documentation of room and board costs and the school’s official cost of attendance for housing and meals.
- Keep internet and computer purchase receipts.
If the IRS audits your return, they may ask you to show that distributions matched qualified expenses in the same tax year.
Can I lose money in a 529 plan?
Yes. Most 529 plans are invested in market based options such as mutual funds or age based portfolios. That means your account value can go up or down based on market performance. Prepaid tuition plans may offer some protection against tuition inflation but come with their own rules and risks. For those new to investing concepts, understanding how to start investing with little money can provide a solid foundation for evaluating the risk and reward tradeoffs of different 529 investment choices.
How long can the money stay in the 529 plan?
There is no federal time limit on how long funds can remain in a 529 plan. The account can stay open indefinitely, allowing you to:
- Delay using the funds if the beneficiary postpones school.
- Use the funds for graduate or professional school years later.
- Change the beneficiary to a younger family member or future generation.
- Potentially use unused funds for a Roth IRA rollover under the SECURE 2.0 rules when eligible.
This long time horizon is one of the reasons 529s are so flexible for multi generation education planning.
Your Next Step to Mastering Your 529 Plan
A 529 plan is one of the most powerful education savings tools available in the US, but only if you follow the rules. You now know how contributions interact with gift tax limits, what counts as a qualified expense, how to avoid non qualified withdrawals and penalties, how 529s affect FAFSA, and how new options like the 529 to Roth IRA rollover can turn leftover funds into a retirement boost.
Used thoughtfully, a 529 can provide years of tax deferred growth and tax free withdrawals for education, without trapping your money if life changes. By keeping good records, coordinating with financial aid, and understanding state specific rules, you can minimize taxes and penalties and make every contribution work harder for your family’s future.
Your best next steps are to create a simple “qualified expense checklist” tailored to your school and state rules and to walk through your specific situation with a qualified financial or tax advisor. That way, you can use your 529 plan confidently and keep more of your savings focused on what matters most: funding education and long term financial security.
