Tuition Track Portfolio Details
How does Tuition Track work?
100 units = 1 year of Average Tuition
When you invest in the Tuition Track Portfolio, it’s like locking in the current costs of college. You can invest as much as you can - cover part or all of your student’s future tuition - it’s up to you.
Every year, the Average Tuition at Virginia public colleges and universities is calculated and divided into 100 units. You choose how many units to purchase and how often to buy them.
When it’s time to use your units, your student will receive one year of the current Average Tuition for every 100 units previously purchased, regardless of how much tuition rates have grown.
Three ways to save
Make monthly contributions
Put your contributions on autopilot by setting up automated monthly contributions from your checking or savings account.
Prepay up to four years of tuition
Make a one-time contribution for up to 1,000 units, which will guarantee your student at least four years of Average Tuition when it’s time to use your account.
Contribute what you want, when you want
Make contributions that fit your budget by purchasing units (or partial units) at your own pace.
Tuition Track calculations
The Tuition Track unit price (Average Tuition divided by 100) is calculated annually on or about July 15.
Current Average Tuition
$15,100 / year
Tuition Track Unit Price
$151 / unit
Paying for college with Tuition Track
Currently, Tuition at more than half of Virginia’s colleges costs less than 100 units a year. If your school charges more than Average Tuition, you still will have more to pay to cover the Tuition bill. Some lower-priced schools, or community colleges may charge less than Average Tuition. In that case, your surplus units could be used toward room and board, meals, books, or any other qualified higher education expenses.
School A
At School A, you would need to use 112.6 units of Average Tuition (112.6 units * $151/unit = $17,000) to cover your annual Tuition.
$17,000
Current Tuition & Fees
- $15,100
100 Units paid
$1,900
Left to pay toward Tuition
School B
At School B, you would need to use 82.76 units of Average Tuition (86.1 units * $151/unit = $13,000) to cover your annual Tuition.
$13,000
Current Tuition & Fees
- $15,100
100 Units paid
$2,100
Surplus for other qualified higher education expenses
2023-2024 Tuition and Fees
Chart illustrates Tuition and Fees 2023-2024. Tuition and Average Tuition amounts are for illustration purposes only. Source: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Tuition Track portfolio features
Exclusively for Virginia residents
At the time of opening a Tuition Track Portfolio Account, either the Account Owner or the Student must be a Virginia resident.
Purchase units until high school graduation
Units may be purchased through the June 30th preceding the Expected Usage Date, typically the year of high school graduation. After that, any additional savings will have to be invested in another Invest529 portfolio.
Cost changes annually
The cost to purchase a Tuition Track unit changes annually on or about July 15th.
Eligible to be used after a 3-year hold
Units are eligible for use once they have been held for three or more years and the student reaches the Expected Usage Date or begins taking eligible post-secondary courses.1
Up to 1,000 units
A Student may have a maximum of 1,000 units at any time.
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Get StartedTuition Track withdrawals
Just like other Invest529 portfolios, the Account Owner can make a withdrawal request any time the need to pay for qualified expenses related to Higher Ed, K-12, Student Loans and Apprenticeships arises.
Unlike other Invest529 portfolios, to receive the full maturity value of your units, they must be held for three (3) years and your student must reach their Expected Usage Date.
To calculate your payout, the number of units that have reached Maturity Value are multiplied by the Average Tuition.
Tuition Track Payout Calculation
$151 x 100 = $15,100
If 100 units purchased have reached Maturity Value, and the Average Tuition for 2024 is $151, you’d receive a payout of $15,100.
See the Invest529 Withdrawal Guide for more information.
Tuition Track resources
Tuition Track Calculator
Thinking about saving for college with Tuition Track? Figure out how much to save with the Tuition Track Calculator.
Tuition Track Performance
Explore the underlying assets and historical performance.
Tuition Track FAQs
Review a list of frequent asked questions about the Tuition Track Portfolio.
1 If you choose to redeem your units earlier than the Expected Usage Date and you are not using them for eligible post-secondary courses, you’ll receive your contributions plus Tuition Track Interest, assuming the units have been held for three or more years.