(December 12, 2023) - As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even as a family friend, sometimes it is so hard to find a unique, meaningful gift for children in our lives. Toys, games, clothes, and candy make great traditional gift options, but giving the gift of higher education savings is also a meaningful gift option that many people don’t think about. Gift contributions to a 529 education savings account will have a positive impact on a child’s future that will last a lifetime ..read more

Why 529 College Savings Plans are Perfect for Technical and Vocational Pathways The landscape of higher education is constantly evolving and has even more so in the past few years as students began suddenly learning, studying, and networking from behind the screen. Recognizing that learning can happen from anywhere, at any time, and in a variety of ways is the foundation for increasing access to higher education.  ..read more

(Updated February 9, 2024) - Families often wonder how 529 plans affect financial aid and how the two work together. The answer depends on a couple of key questions: who owns the plan and when withdrawals are taken. In most cases, your 529 plan will have a minimal effect on the amount of aid you receive and will actually end up helping you more than hurting you ..read more

(December 12, 2023)-As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even as a family friend, sometimes it is so hard to find a unique, meaningful gift for children in our lives. Toys, games, clothes, and candy make great traditional gift options, but giving the gift of higher education savings is also a meaningful gift option that many people don’t think about. Gift contributions to a 529 education savings account will have a positive impact on a child’s future that will last a lifetime ..read more

Myth #1: Financial aid only pays for four-year universities, not career or technical schools. , and more families in Washington are now eligible. You might qualify now even if you didn’t before ..read more

(December 13, 2022) - Luke Minor discusses the economy, college tuition, and all things WA529 with "Conversations" host Gregr from Seattle's 107.7 FM "The End ..read more

(February 15, 2023) - A few years ago, I bought my forever home. It’s not grand or elaborate by any means, but it is mine and exactly what I need for my retirement and beyond years. Purchasing this home was an exercise in simplicity and predictability because I had to consider what my needs would be when I’m 20+ years down the road and not what my life looks like at this specific time. With retirement savings in place and an adequate nest egg for emergencies and fun money, I knew I still had more savings goals to meet.  ..read more

(February 17, 2023) - Recently, the federal government enacted SECURE 2.0 of 2022, which delivers . Among them is the ability to make tax- and penalty-free rollovers from your 529 plan into a Roth IRA. This new benefit will go into effect on January 1, 2024, and we anticipate that you will be able to take advantage of it with your WA529 GET or DreamAhead account ..read more

(May 26, 2023) -Did you know May 29th (5/29) is National 529 Day, also known as 529 College Savings Day? 529 college savings plans are designed to help families save for future higher education costs in a tax-advantaged manner. Governor Jay Inslee also proclaimed May 29, 2023 as “529 College Savings Day ..read more

(August 1, 2023) - Ah, summer! While summers as an adult are not nearly as footloose and fancy-free as they were in my childhood, I still love the opportunity to get outside to hike, travel, and experiment with the grill (charbroiled watermelon, anyone?). The only big problem with summer is that I have to constantly remind myself that my responsibilities, including attending to my family’s college savings goals, can’t take a summer break anymore. But where to start when my brain is trying to check out for three months at a time ..read more