How much will college cost?

With your Edvest 529 account, you’re never locked in. You’ll always have access to several options for this money:

• Your funds can be used to pay for a variety of eligible education expenses, including at any accredited college, university, apprenticeships, community college or postgraduate program in the United States—and even some schools abroad.¹
• Your 529 can be used for student loan repayment up a $10,000 lifetime limit per individual.¹
• Pay for qualified K-12 expenses - up to $10,000 annually can be used per student at a public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school for qualified expenses. Qualified education expenses include curriculum, instructional materials, tutoring by approved professionals, standardized test and dual enrollment fees, and licensed educational therapies for students with disabilities.¹ Click here for more information on the recent changes to primary or secondary school qualified expenses.
• You can transfer the funds to another eligible beneficiary, such as another child, a grandchild or yourself.
• If you just want the money back, you can withdraw the funds at any time. If funds are withdrawn for a purpose other than qualified higher education expenses, the earnings portion of the withdrawal is subject to federal and state taxes plus a 10% additional federal tax on earnings (known as the “Additional Tax”). See the Plan Description for more information and exceptions.
• Effective January 1, 2024, Account owners may roll money from an Edvest 529 account to a Roth IRA for the benefit of the 529 plan account beneficiary without incurring federal income tax or penalties (state tax treatment varies). For the rollover to be treated as a non-taxable event, certain conditions apply as referenced in Am I eligible to roll over funds from my 529 plan account to a Roth IRA?
• You can use funds for recognized postsecondary credentials and credential program fees. Click here for more information on the recent changes to qualified expenses.
• Or you can always wait because the funds never expire, and often the choice to go to school is a delayed decision. So, if your child changes their mind down the road, your account will still be available.

Footnotes

1. ¹Withdrawals for qualified expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school, registered apprenticeship programs, and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Wisconsin income tax. If you are not a Wisconsin taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances. Apprenticeship programs must be registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act.↩

Your contributions will always be yours, and you do not need to be a resident of Wisconsin to open, contribute to or use an Edvest 529 account. Your Edvest 529 account can also be used for a range of qualified expenses in state, out of state and abroad. If you move to another state, you can keep your money invested and continue making contributions to your Edvest 529 account—no problem!

No. Your Edvest 529 funds can be used at any accredited university in the country—and even some abroad. This includes public and private colleges and universities, apprenticeships, community colleges, graduate schools and professional schools. Up to $10,000 annually can be used toward K-12 qualified expenses (per student). In addition, your 529 can be used for student loan repayment up a $10,000 lifetime limit per individual.¹ Review a list of qualifying expenses and the state tax treatment of withdrawals for these expenses in the Plan Description.

Footnotes

1. ¹Withdrawals for qualified expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school, registered apprenticeship programs, and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Wisconsin income tax. If you are not a Wisconsin taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances. Apprenticeship programs must be registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act.↩

Qualified higher education expenses include tuition, certain room and board expenses, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for the enrollment and attendance of the beneficiary at an eligible educational institution. This includes most postsecondary institutions. When used primarily by the beneficiary enrolled at an eligible educational institution, computers and related technology such as internet access fees, software or printers are also considered qualified higher education expenses.

Qualified higher education expenses also include certain additional enrollment and attendance costs at eligible educational institutions for any beneficiary with special needs.

At the federal level, qualified higher education expenses also include:

• Qualified K-12 expenses at a public, private or religious school (up to a maximum of $10,000 of distributions per taxable year per beneficiary from all Section 529 plans)¹. The limit will increase to $20,000 beginning January 1, 2026;
• Expenses for fees, books, supplies an equipment required for the participation of a beneficiary in a certified apprenticeship program¹;
• Recognized postsecondary credential programs; and
• Amounts paid as principal or interest on any qualified education loan of either the beneficiary or a sibling of the beneficiary (up to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual)¹.

For more information on using 529s for apprenticeships, click here.

Footnotes

1. ¹Withdrawals for qualified expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school, registered apprenticeship programs, recognized credential programs, and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Wisconsin income tax. If you are not a Wisconsin taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances. Apprenticeship programs must be registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act.↩