Invest529

An easy and convenient way to save for future education expenses with the nation’s largest 529 savings plan.

Use your Invest529 account for any of these approved expenses:

Tuition, fees, meals, room & board, textbooks, supplies and more

Tuition at private, public and religious schools

Amounts paid on qualified student loans

Fees, supplies and required equipment

Why save with Invest529?

Invest529’s award-winning portfolios can help you get started with as little as $10.

Tax Advantages

Earnings on your accounts grow free from federal tax when used for qualified higher education expenses. Depending on your state of residence, you may be entitled to additional tax advantages.

Low Fees

There's no online application fee, no annual maintenance fee and no withdrawal fee for qualified higher education expenses — and Invest529 administrative fees are among the lowest in the nation.

Flexibility

Accounts can be used to fund qualified higher education expenses at schools nationwide and overseas. These accounts can be used at public or private universities, graduate, vocational and private or religious K-12 schools, apprenticeships, and student loan repayment.

Savings for More than Tuition

Invest529 can be used to pay for qualified higher education expenses beyond tuition, including certain room and board costs, computers and related technology expenses as well as fees, books, supplies, and other equipment.

Invest529 offers a wide variety of portfolios to help you reach your savings goals.

Choose from:

Portfolios are constructed to align with a future date when withdrawals may occur. The portfolios gradually and intentionally shift from equity to fixed income as the enrollment date approaches.

Index Portfolios track the performance of a broad market. These portfolios typically offer lower fees than other investment options.

Target Risk Portfolios maintain a defined level of risk and hold a diversified mix of stocks, bonds, cash and other investments to create a desired risk profile. Target Risk portfolios are static and should reflect your current risk tolerance.

Principal Protected Portfolios are designed to protect against losses to the original amount you’ve invested, generally offering a more stable investment option.

Specialty Portfolios include investment options that don’t fall into the other four categories and include investment options like ESG Core Equity, and Global Equity portfolios.

Learn more about Invest529’s diverse mix of portfolios.

Invest529 FAQs

How do I get started?

First, read about the programs Virginia529 offers, specifically the Program Description for the program(s) in which you are interested. After you have selected a program, select "Open an account" from the top of any page to gather the information you need to get started. After you create an online user profile, you can complete the application for Invest529. To open a CollegeAmerica account, contact your financial advisor or visit americanfunds.com.

Does my Virginia529 account affect eligibility for federal financial aid?

Any non-retirement investment or savings account may affect eligibility. For accounts owned by parents and dependent students, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) assesses 529 assets at a maximum of 5.64 percent of the value when calculating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for financial aid eligibility. Accounts owned by other parties will impact eligibility differently. For more information, consult fafsa.ed.gov or an educational financial aid adviser.

How long do I have to use my account?

You have thirty years after the beneficiary’s projected high school graduation date, or thirty years from when the account was opened (if opened after the beneficiary’s high school graduation) for Invest529 and CollegeAmerica accounts. You have ten years after the beneficiary’s projected high school graduation date to use a Prepaid529 account. Virginia529, in its sole discretion, may grant extensions of time in which to use a Virginia529 account.

Can I transfer my account to someone else?

Account ownership can be transferred at any time to an individual 18 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident. Account benefits can be transferred to a member of the current beneficiary’s family without penalty. Penalties may apply if transferred to an individual who is not a member of the current beneficiary’s family. Please read the applicable Program Descriptions and consult your tax adviser for more information.

Resources to help you learn

View a live or previously recorded webinar to learn more about Invest529.

Use these tools to determine future higher education costs and plan your saving strategy.

Access important forms and documents to review program details, update personal information and manage your account.

Save today for a brighter tomorrow

An easy and convenient way to save for future education expenses with the nation’s largest 529 savings plan.

Higher Education

K-12 Education

Student Loan Repayment

Registered Apprenticeship Program

Learn more about Invest529