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Benefits of Using a 529 College Savings Plan

The growing cost of college means that parents or grandparents who intend to pay part or all of the tab for a child need to chart a course. A tax-advantaged 529 plan is one way to save for future education costs.

Although 529 plans have been around since 1996, many parents still aren’t sure how they work. Yet they are worth knowing about in detail.

Read on to get the full story on 529 plans and whether opening one is the right move for you.

529 Plan Basics

Also known as a qualified tuition program, a 529 plan allows a parent (or anyone else) to prepay a student’s college tuition or contribute to an education savings account.

Contributions are not tax-deductible, but distributions are tax-free if they are used for qualified education expenses for the beneficiary.

There are two kinds of 529 plans — named, by the way, for Section 529 of the federal tax code — and every state offers at least one. Learn the difference.

Prepaid Tuition Plan

A prepaid tuition plan allows you to prepay tuition and fees at certain colleges and universities at today’s prices for a child’s future educational needs. Such plans are usually available only at public schools and for in-state students. Only nine are accepting new applicants, and the funds saved are typically not able to be used for room and board.

The main benefit of a prepaid college plan is that you could save big on the price of college by prepaying before prices go up. And contributions are considered gifts, so deposits up to a certain threshold each year ($17,000 in 2023, or $34,000 for a married couple splitting gifts) qualify for the annual and lifetime gift-tax exclusion.

A few special-case guidelines to note:

•   If your child doesn’t attend a participating college or university, you will likely be able to use the funds you set aside at another school. Another option may be to transfer the plan to an eligible sibling. What if no one in the family plans on attending college? Most plans will refund your money, perhaps minus a cancellation fee.

•   If your state government doesn’t guarantee the plan, you may lose the payments you’ve made if the state runs into budget shortfalls.

•   Prepaid tuition plans may charge an enrollment fee and ongoing administrative fees.

•   Although most of the plans can’t be used for room and board, Florida Prepaid Plans, for example, offer a prepaid dormitory plan of two semesters of dorm fees for each year of state university coverage.

An alternative to the state-sponsored plans is the Private College 529 Plan, which has over 300 participating institutions nationwide.

Recommended: Private vs Public College

Education Savings Plan

The second type of 529 plan is an education savings plan. Here’s how it works:

•   You can contribute monthly, quarterly, or annually, or deposit a lump sum. Beyond parents making regular payments, 529 plans can be a clever way for the extended family to give a meaningful gift on birthdays or holidays. There is no limit on how much you can add yearly, but you’ll have to fill out gift tax Form 709 if you contribute more than the annual gift amount.

•   While contributions are not deductible on the federal level, many states provide tax benefits for saving in a 529 plan, such as deducting contributions from state income taxes or giving matching grants. Check your local tax laws to see if you qualify.

•   Once you contribute, you will likely have a range of investment options to choose from. These vary from state to state and may include mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

•   You may want to tailor your choices to the date you expect to withdraw the money — you can possibly be more aggressive if you have a longer timeline, but may sway more conservatively if you only have a few years. One option is to choose a target-date fund, which would automatically adjust your portfolio to become more conservative as your child’s college years approach. That usually means a greater share of stocks initially and more bonds and cash over time.

•   Money can be withdrawn tax-free from a 529 savings plan to pay for any “qualified higher education expense,” which includes tuition, fees, books, computers, and room and board.

•   You can make withdrawals as long as your child is enrolled at least half-time at an accredited school, regardless of where in the United States it is, and occasionally abroad. Parents can also withdraw up to $10,000 a year to pay for K-12 tuition expenses and for student loan repayment.

•   If you withdraw money for the above expenses, you won’t have to pay federal income tax, and often state income tax, on your earnings. If you withdraw the funds for other reasons, you’ll have to pay taxes, and you may or may not be able to avoid the 529 withdrawal penalty, a 10% federal tax penalty on the earnings.

•   Starting in 2024, families with leftover savings in a 529 college savings account may be able to roll it to a Roth IRA tax- and penalty-free. That is one of several retirement savings changes that are part of the Secure 2.0 Act.

One last note: It is possible to change the beneficiary of a 529 plan to another eligible family member. For example, you can switch to a younger child if your oldest got a scholarship. That’s another 529 account benefit to note.

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How 529 Savings Plans Compare With Other Options

Why create any investment plan for your child? Time. By investing funds, 529 accounts give your money the chance to grow over time.

If you just leave your savings in cash or even a high-interest savings account, you may actually be losing money as the years go by, as it likely won’t keep up with inflation.

The 529 plan also has advantages when it comes to calculating financial aid. When you complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, money in these accounts owned by either a dependent student or by a parent is considered a parental asset on the FAFSA. Approximately the first $10,000 won’t be counted toward the expected family contribution.

For more than that, only up to 5.64% of the amount saved counts when the government calculates the “expected family contribution” in deciding on the financial aid package. (For other student assets, up to 20% of the savings can count in the calculation.)

So while a 529 may slightly reduce financial aid, it will likely save more overall by reducing the number of federal or private student loans needed.

New rules affect grandparent-owned 529 plans. Distributions have counted as student income on the next year’s FAFSA, assessed at up to 50%. But starting with the 2023-2024 school year, grandparents’ 529 plan savings will have no impact on the student, which might incentivize parents to contribute to grandparent-owned plans instead of the other way around.

Now let’s look at some options.

Recommended: Financial Aid for Higher-Income Families

Coverdell Account

Like a 529 plan, a Coverdell account, also called an Education Savings Account (ESA), is a tax-advantaged savings account to pay for qualified education expenses.

Unlike a 529 account, total contributions from all sources to a Coverdell account cannot exceed $2,000 annually per beneficiary. Another difference is income limits: You can only use an ESA if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $110,000 (singles) or $220,000 (married couples filing jointly).

You can only make contributions until the child reaches age 18, and all funds must be withdrawn by the time the beneficiary reaches age 30. A 529 plan generally does not restrict the age of the beneficiary.

Basic Brokerage Account

Instead of a 529 plan, some families may favor a brokerage account, which affords the freedom to choose whatever investments they want and the ability to use proceeds for any need a young person has.

The main benefit of a 529 plan is that you don’t have to pay capital gains tax on any distributions used for qualified education expenses. Many families, however, pay a 0% long-term capital gains tax rate anyway. (Long-term capital gains apply to a security held for a year or more. The day-to-day increases or decreases in an asset’s value before it is sold are unrealized gains and losses.)

For 2023, married couples filing jointly with taxable income of $89,250 or less and single filers with $44,625 or less may qualify for the 0% long-term capital gains rate.

A 529 account, then, may be of greatest use to families that need an additional tax shelter.

Recommended: How to Reduce Taxable Income for High Earners

Traditional IRA

Withdrawals from a traditional IRA before age 59½ that are used for qualified higher education expenses are not subject to the 10% early distribution penalty — but you will still pay income tax on the distribution.

Money in a qualified retirement plan is not reported on the FAFSA, but distributions may be reported as untaxed income, and income is weighted much more heavily than assets for financial aid. Remember that a 529 savings plan will have a limited impact on the financial aid offer a student receives.

It is generally thought that retirement plans should be used for just that, and not for college expenses.

Roth IRA

With a Roth IRA, you can withdraw contributions tax- and penalty-free at any time, but distributions will be reported as untaxed income on the FAFSA, reducing eligibility for need-based financial aid.

You generally must be at least age 59½ and have had the Roth account for at least five years to withdraw earnings tax- and penalty-free. If you are under 59½, you may be able to avoid a penalty (but not taxes) if you withdraw earnings to pay for qualified education expenses.

Some people opt to max out their Roth IRA contributions and then invest additional money in a 529 plan.

UGMA and UTMA Accounts

You can open a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account on behalf of a child under age 18. The adult custodian controls the money, but gifts and transfers irrevocably become the property of the child.

As with a 529 plan, annual contributions to a UGMA or UTMA account are unlimited, and gifts below the annual gift threshold do not need to be reported to the IRS on gift tax Form 709.

Unlike college savings plans, there is no penalty if the account assets aren’t used to pay for college. Once the minor reaches adulthood, the money is turned over to the former minor, who can use the assets for college or anything else.

But custodial accounts have drawbacks when compared with 529 savings plans: The accounts offer no tax benefits when contributions are made. Earnings are subject to taxes. And a custodial account is counted as a student asset on the FAFSA and will weigh more heavily against financial aid eligibility than parents’ assets or assets held in a 529 account or an ESA.

Choosing a 529 Savings Plan

Every state offers a 529 savings plan, but not all are created equal. When trying to find the best 529 college savings plan, you may want to think about the tax benefits and the fees.

First, you may want to understand whether you qualify for a state income tax deduction or credit for your contributions, based on your state of residence and the plan. Check your state laws and consult a tax professional to learn more about your particular situation.

Some states, such as New York, only offer deductions to in-state taxpayers who use their plan. Other states, including Pennsylvania, allow residents to take a deduction regardless of which state’s plan they use.

Some states, like Indiana, offer income tax credits instead of deductions. And other states, such as North Carolina, don’t offer any deductions for 529 contributions.

The next thing you could consider are the fees associated with your plan, which could include enrollment fees, annual maintenance fees, and asset management fees. Some states let you save on fees if you have a large balance, contribute automatically, are a state resident, or opt for electronic-only documents.

The Takeaway

For many students, the cost of college can be eased with a tax-advantaged 529 savings plan. The accounts allow for tax-free growth of funds that can help dreams of affording higher education come true.

529 plans are still rarely used, though, whereas most college students take on loans to get through school. If savings and federal student aid don’t cover all the costs of college, a private student loan could be a solution.

Federal programs like income-driven repayment and deferred interest on some federal student loans do not apply to private student loans, but a private student loan can help fill gaps in need.

SoFi offers private student loans for undergrads, graduate students, parents, MBA and law students, and future health care professionals that come with competitive rates and no fees.

Check your rate on a student loan from SoFi, named a best private student loan company by U.S. News and World Report.

FAQ

Are 529 plans worth it?

A 529 plan can be a worthwhile college savings vehicle, depending on a family’s situation. If the student is definitely going to attend college and if the state of residence offers tax benefits for these savings, or a prepaid tuition plan, it can be a good option.

Why shouldn’t you invest in a 529 plan?

For some people, a 529 may not be the best option. If a family is unsure whether a child will attend college, lives where there aren’t state-level tax breaks for these programs, or thinks they can earn higher returns elsewhere, they might not want to open a 529 college savings plan.

Is a 529 plan better than a savings account?

A savings account offers more flexibility than a 529 college savings plan, but it won’t offer the tax advantages that a 529 does. With a 529 account, contributions will grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are also not subject to taxes.


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Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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Opening a Savings Account For a Baby

Opening a Savings Account for a Newborn Baby: What You Need to Know First

When a new baby arrives, there’s much to celebrate and so many milestones ahead. It’s not uncommon to want to help secure a child’s future by opening a savings account. That can start Junior off with a little nest egg and hopefully, in time, some good financial habits.

If you’re thinking you might like to open one of these accounts, read on to learn more. You’ll find out the full story on these topics and more:

•   Should you open a bank account for a baby?

•   How do you open a savings account for a newborn?

•   What are alternatives to a savings account for a newborn?

Why Open a Savings Account for a Baby?

There are actually some very good reasons to consider opening a bank account for a baby and start saving. You might be wondering why someone would open this kind of account for a newborn. After all, they don’t have any bills or expenses to pay so what would they need to have money in the bank for? Consider how opening an account and saving for a baby can have real benefits:

•   Time is on your side. Compounding interest can help you grow your baby’s savings account over time. The younger your child is when you start saving, the longer that money has to earn compound interest.

•   Plan for specific goals. Opening a savings account for a baby can make it easier to fund long-term goals. For example, you might want to set aside money to help them buy their first car or pay for college when the time comes.

•   Tax advantages. Savings accounts may not be earning a lot of interest right now. Still, the fact that babies usually don’t typically earn enough dough to pay taxes is a bonus.

•   Increase financial literacy. Teaching kids about saving from an early age can help them get into the habit. By opening a savings account for them when they’re young, you can help them learn the money skills they’ll need as adults.

Kids’ savings accounts can also be appealing because they tend to have low initial deposit requirements, low minimum-balance requirements, and low fees. So you don’t need a lot of money to start saving on behalf of your newborn — and you may not have to worry about paying a lot of fees to maintain the account as they grow.

How to Open a Savings Account for a Baby

Opening a bank account for a baby isn’t a complicated process. To open a savings account for a newborn, you’ll need the following:

•   Information about yourself

•   Information about your baby

•   Required documentation

•   Minimum initial deposit and funding details.

You should be able to open a savings account for a baby either at an online bank or a traditional bank or credit union. You’ll need to fill out the savings account application and provide the deposit via check, money order, cash or ACH transfer if you’re opening an account with an online bank. The minimum deposit may be as little as $1 or even $0, though some banks may require a larger deposit ($25 and up) to open a baby savings account.

Keep in mind that some banks may require you to have an account of your own before you can open a savings account for a child. That could influence where you decide to set up a savings account for a newborn.

Also look into any account maintenance fees that may be assessed monthly. You don’t want fees eating up the principal and interest in the account. Let’s look at this a little more closely next.

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Can You Withdraw Money from Your Baby’s Savings Account?

Because a child cannot legally open or hold a bank account, an adult is a required presence. The parent or custodian who opens the account holds it jointly with the child and can indeed withdraw funds. It’s similar to a joint account that couples may have. However, there may be limits regarding whether your child can make withdrawals as they age and for how much.

If you were to open what’s called a custodial account (which becomes property of the child at adulthood; more on these accounts below), you may withdraw funds, but the intention is that they only be used for the kid’s benefit.

Types of Savings Account for Newborns

The best savings accounts for newborns are ones that allow you to save regularly, earn interest, and avoid high fees. You might look to your current bank first to open a savings account for the baby. Consider what type of features or benefits are offered. If you have to pay a monthly service fee, for example, you may be better off considering a savings account for a newborn at an online bank instead.

Online banks can offer the dual advantages of higher annual percentage yields, or APYs, on savings and lower fees. You won’t have branch banking access but that may not be important if you prefer to deposit money via mobile deposit or ACH transfer anyway. And once your child gets a little bigger, you can introduce them to the world of mobile banking and how to manage it on their own.

Also, consider how well a newborn savings account can grow with your kid’s needs. Some questions you might ask: Can you switch the account to a teen savings account or teen checking account down the line? Could you add a prepaid debit card for teens into the mix at some point? Asking these kinds of questions can help you pinpoint the best savings account for a newborn, based on your child’s needs now and in the future.

For some people, it can be a benefit to know that the bank has figured out ways to help accounts grow with their youngest customers and coach them along their journey to financial literacy.

Requirements for Opening a Savings Account for a Baby

The requirements for opening a bank account for a newborn are a little different from opening a bank account for yourself. That’s because the bank needs to be able to verify your identity as well as the baby’s.

Generally, the list of things you’ll be required to provide to open a savings account for baby include:

•   Your name and your baby’s name

•   Dates of birth for yourself and the baby

•   A copy of your government-issued photo ID

•   The baby’s birth certificate

•   Your address, phone number, email address, and Social Security number.

The bank may ask for the baby’s Social Security number though it’s possible you may not have this yet at the newborn stage. And if you don’t have a Social Security number of your own, you may have to provide a substitute federal ID such as your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Alternatives to Newborn Savings Accounts

A savings account at a bank or credit union isn’t the only way to set aside money for a newborn. While these accounts can earn interest, there are other types of savings you might use to fund different goals for your child. Here are some of the other options you might consider when saving money for a baby.

529 College Savings Accounts

Many parents — even brand-new ones! — wonder how to start saving for college. A 529 college savings account is a type of tax-advantaged plan that’s designed to help you save for education expenses. These accounts can be opened by the parent but anyone can make contributions, including grandparents, aunts and uncles, or family friends.

All 50 states offer at least one 529 plan. There are no annual limits on 529 plan contributions and you can open any state’s plan, regardless of which state you live in. Contributions are subject to annual gift tax exclusion limits, which are $17,000 for single filers and $34,000 for married couples filing jointly in 2023.

With a 529 plan, you’re investing money rather than saving it. You can invest the money you contribute in a variety of mutual funds, including index funds and target-date funds. This money grows tax-deferred, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition and fees, books and room and board.

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

There are other ways to save for a child’s college tuition. A Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) is a type of custodial account that can be set up to save for education expenses. This account grows tax-deferred just like a 529 plan and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. But there are some key differences:

•   Annual contributions are capped at $2,000 and are not tax-deductible

•   Contributions must end once the child reaches age 18 (an exception is made for special-needs beneficiaries)

•   All funds must be distributed by the time the child reaches age 30.

If you leave money in a Coverdell ESA past the child’s 30th birthday, the IRS can impose a tax penalty. Any withdrawals of ESA funds that aren’t used for qualified education expenses are subject to income tax.

Custodial Accounts

Custodial accounts are savings accounts that allow minors to hold assets other than savings, such as stocks or other securities. You can set up a custodial account with a brokerage on behalf of your child. As the custodian, you maintain ownership of the account and its assets until your child reaches the age of majority, typically either 18 or 21. At that point, all the money in the account becomes theirs.

Opening a custodial account could make sense if you want to make irrevocable financial gifts to your kids. This could be one of the best strategies for building an investment plan for your child. The biggest drawback, however, is that once they turn 18 (or 21) you no longer have control over the account or how the money inside of it is used. For some parents, relinquishing that control can be hard, but remember: There’s lots of financial literacy that can be gained between your child’s birth and officially entering adulthood.

Let SoFi Show You How to Save

Helping your child be a smart, lifelong saver is a terrific goal. Saving money helps build wealth and finance your dreams. How are you doing on that front? One great place to open an online savings account is with SoFi Checking and Savings. Members with direct deposit can earn a competitive APY and pay no monthly account fees. So your money can really get growing.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Can I start a savings account for my baby?

Yes, opening a savings account for a baby is something you can do even if they’re still a newborn. Traditional banks, credit unions, and online banks can offer savings account options for babies and kids. You can also explore savings account alternatives, such as 529 college savings plans or custodial accounts.

What type of savings account should I open for my newborn?

The type of savings account you open for a baby can depend on your financial goals. If you just want to get them started saving early, a basic savings account might work best. On the other hand, you might consider creating an investment plan for your child that includes a 529 savings account if you’re interested in putting aside money for future college expenses.

What are the typical requirements for opening a bank account for a newborn baby?

You’ll likely need to provide your name, address, and phone number, plus your email address, Social Security number, and government-issued photo ID. You’ll probably be asked for the baby’s birth certificate and an opening deposit as well, which may be as little as $1 or even zero.


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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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Prepaid College Plans: What Does Each State Offer?

Prepaid College Plans by State: What Does Each State Offer?

College is a major expense. Even with years of thoughtful saving and planning, the costs can add up quickly. Prepaid college plans are one option families are choosing to work out a smoother financial process for students and parents alike. These plans used to be more readily available in the past. Still, it’s worth looking at prepaid college plans, where you can get one, and whether they’re a smart financial decision.

What Are Prepaid College Tuition Plans?

If you have a student who definitely plans on going to college someday, a prepaid college tuition plan can help set them up for success. You, as a parent, guardian, or relative, can start paying for college now, long before the student actually attends. This locks in the current tuition rate. Even as tuition costs go up in subsequent years, these plans allow you to keep paying the tuition rate you initially locked in.

You can think of it as a loan of sorts. You pay up front, and the state earns money off of those payments. When it comes time for your student to attend college, the state pays the tuition out of the funds you provided.

Of course, you need to be confident in your student’s plans for this to work. You will probably need to live in the same state as the college the student will attend since these plans tend to apply only to in-state tuition.

Pros and Cons of College Prepaid Plans

Obviously, locking in a lower tuition rate can be a tremendous financial benefit. With college costs constantly on the rise, a prepaid tuition plan offers the potential of a steep discount. And you might even enjoy some tax breaks if you choose this approach, such as a deduction based on your contribution to a prepaid plan, depending on where you live.

However, this sort of plan can be somewhat inflexible. You may be limited in the choices you have in terms of schools. While you can get a refund if your student chooses a different school than you all expected, you may end up feeling some pressure to stay the course when investing in a plan like this.

And you can’t use the money freely. There are restrictions to how you can use the funds in a prepaid college plan. For example, room and board probably aren’t covered. These plans generally focus specifically on tuition and fees.

Despite this, many choose prepaid college plans to lock in a rate. They also enjoy the high contribution limits and tax benefits. Here are the major pros and cons of these plans.

Pros Cons
Steady tuition rate Lack of flexibility
Tax breaks Eligibility limitations
High limits Lack of control

Prepaid College Plans vs 529 Program

College prepaid plans and 529 college savings plans are similar. They serve the same basic function. However, when you look closer, they can be quite different. Prepaid tuition plans are a type of 529 plan, in fact, but 529 savings plans have distinct features that might sway your decision about investing in one or the other. Here are three of the biggest differences.

Prepaid College Plan 529 Savings Plan
Timeframe You must start investing within a certain time period. Different states will have different rules about this. You can generally invest whenever you like.
Flexibility These plans are less flexible. You generally have to spend the money on tuition and fees specifically. You have more flexibility in how you spend your money here. You can use funds for books, room and board, and other expenses, as well as tuition.
Risk These plans are stable. However, they won’t earn much over time. If your student changes their mind and you withdraw the money, expect to break even. These plans aren’t risky, but they aren’t going to earn much either. This is an investment. It could earn far more than a prepaid plan, but it does involve stock investments.

The National Prepaid College Plan

While many prepaid college plan options are state-run, there is also a national program called the Private College 529 Plan. Unlike other prepaid college plans, there’s no state residency requirement to join this plan. It applies to nearly 300 colleges and universities. However, they are all private institutions, not public. They span 30 states plus the District of Columbia.

The national plan offers a bit more flexibility than state plans, and you don’t need to choose a school to start saving. That decision can wait until your student is actually enrolling, in fact. As long as it’s one of the private institutions that are part of the plan, you can use your funds there.

Recommended: How to Start Saving for Your Child’s College Tuition

States With Prepaid College Plans

Only nine states still have prepaid college plan options, and each state will offer something a little bit different. You can compare all of the options below to see if any of these state plans work for you.

State Plan Features
Florida Florida 529 Prepaid Plan The child must be a Florida resident. This plan covers tuition and fees and you can opt into a one-year dorm plan as well. Florida lets you use this plan nationwide and it’s guaranteed by the state so you won’t lose money.
Maryland Maryland Prepaid College Trust You can start by prepaying for just a single semester. This plan also works for out-of-state tuition. And it offers an income tax deduction for Maryland residents.
Massachusetts Mefa U.Plan You can contribute the full cost of tuition and fees to this plan, which is invested in bonds. You can transfer the funds or cash out and receive your investment plus interest if your plans change.
Michigan Michigan Education Trust Michigan offers a discounted, age-based pricing structure. Plus, you can transfer the funds to other family members. The funds work at in-state, out-of-state, and even trade schools.
Mississippi MPACT You pay a lower monthly rate for younger children when you enroll in this plan. You have to use the funds on tuition and fees, but anyone can contribute to the plan.
Nevada Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program There are some eligible out of state and private institutions that qualify under this plan. The student must use the funds within six years of graduating high school.
Pennsylvania PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan This plan only applies to state universities. However, you can also use it for up to $10,000 at elementary and secondary public, private or religious schools. You can alter your contribution levels at any time by changing your tuition level.
Texas Texas Tuition Promise Fund Save for public colleges and universities in Texas with this plan, excluding medical and dental institutions. You must enroll between September and March.
Washington Guaranteed Education Tuition You can use your funds on schools nation-wide. You can even use the funds for room and board, books, computers, and other expenses. As long as you use the funds for higher education, they won’t be subject to tax.

Are Prepaid College Plans Tax Deductible?

It depends on the state and plan, but in many cases, yes! There may be stipulations, though. For example, you’ll probably have to use the funds for higher education only. However, withdrawals for educational purposes may be tax-free. Moreover, your contributions to the plan could earn you deductions.

Are Prepaid College Plans Worth It?

That depends on where you live and what your student’s goals are. If the future is pretty certain, or you live in a state with a very flexible plan, a prepaid college plan can be a safe, stable way to save up money for college.

Because of the limitations and lack of flexibility, though, it may not be right for everyone. If, for example, you want to be more aggressive about your college planning, a 529 savings plan might suit your goals better. Plus, you can spend that money on things beyond just tuition and fees.

Recommended: Parent PLUS Loans vs Private Parent Student Loans for College

Alternative Methods for Prepaid College Plans

Beyond a prepaid tuition plan, you can also try a college savings plan to build up cash for college. This allows you to save up money and spend it on qualified education expenses. It doesn’t lock in a tuition rate, but because it’s a more aggressive type of savings plan, you could end up saving up more money in the long run.

There is also a national option. This plan applies even in many states that don’t have their own prepaid tuition plans. It also locks in rates, but you will have to choose one of the schools covered by the plan. Luckily, there are almost 300 to choose from.

Of course, if your child is headed to college in the next few years, you may not have time to save much money. Parent PLUS loans can help. When an undergraduate’s financial aid doesn’t meet the cost of attendance at a college or career school, parents may take out a Direct PLUS Loan in their name to bridge the gap.

The Takeaway

The thought of large student debt scares off many who would otherwise attend a college or university. But with some strategic and long-term planning, college can fit in the budget. You can mix and match approaches to find what works for you. For example, you could combine a prepaid tuition plan with a no-fee student loan to pay for college. No matter what you ultimately choose, it will help to start planning well in advance.


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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House

What’s your number? That’s not a pickup line; it’s the digits a mortgage lender will want to know. In the range of 300 to 850, a score as low as 500 may open the door to a home.

But the credit score needed to buy a house is at least 620 for most types of mortgage loans. The lowest rates usually go to borrowers with scores of 740 and above whose finances are in good order.

Why Does a Credit Score Matter?

Just as you need a résumé listing your work history to interview for a job, lenders want to see your borrowing history, through credit reports, and a snapshot of it, expressed as a score on the credit rating scale, to help predict your ability to repay a debt.

A great credit score vs. a bad credit score can translate to money in your pocket: Even a small reduction in interest rate can save a borrower thousands of dollars over time.

Do I Have One Credit Score?

You have many different credit scores based on information collected by Experian, Transunion, and Equifax, the three main credit bureaus, and calculated using scoring models usually designed by FICO® or a competitor, VantageScore®.

To complicate things, there are often multiple versions of each scoring model available from its developer at any given time, but most credit scores fall within the 300 to 850 range.

Mortgage lenders predominantly consider FICO scores. Here are the categories:

•   Exceptional: 800-850

•   Very good: 740-799

•   Good: 670-739

•   Fair: 580-669

•   Poor: 300-579

Here’s how FICO weighs the information:

•   Payment history: 35%

•   Amounts owed: 30%

•   Length of credit history: 15%

•   New credit: 10%

•   Credit mix: 10%

Mortgage lenders will pull an applicant’s credit score from all three credit bureaus. If the scores differ, they will use the middle number when making a decision.

If you’re buying a home with a non-spouse or a marriage partner, each borrower’s credit scores will be pulled. The lender will home in on the middle score for both and use the lower of the final two scores (except for a Fannie Mae loan, when a lender will average the middle credit scores of the applicants).

💡 Recommended: 8 Reasons Why Good Credit Is So Important

A Look at the Numbers

What credit score do you need to buy a house? If you are trying to acquire a conventional mortgage loan, a loan not insured by a government agency, you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 620.

With an FHA loan, 580 is the minimum credit score to qualify for the 3.5% down payment advantage. Applicants with a score as low as 500 will have to put down 10%.

Lenders like to see a minimum credit score of 620 for a VA loan.

A score of at least 640 is usually required for a USDA loan.

A first-time homebuyer with good credit will likely qualify for an FHA loan, but a conventional mortgage will probably save them money over time. One reason is that an FHA loan requires upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance that lasts for the life of the loan if the down payment is less than 10%.

💡Recommended: How to Check Credit Scores Without Paying

Credit Scores Are Just Part of the Pie

Credit scores aren’t the only factor that lenders consider when reviewing a mortgage application. They will also require information on your employment, income, and bank accounts.

A lender facing someone with a lower credit score may increase expectations in other areas like down payment size or income requirements.

Other typical conventional loan requirements a lender will consider include:

Your down payment. Putting 20% down is desirable since it often means you can avoid paying PMI, private mortgage insurance that covers the lender in case of loan default.

Debt-to-income ratio. Your debt-to-income ratio is a percentage that compares your ongoing monthly debts to your monthly gross income.

Most lenders require a DTI of 43% or lower to qualify for a conforming loan.

First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.


How to Increase Your Credit Scores Before Buying a House

Working to improve or build credit over time before applying for a home loan could save a borrower a lot of money in interest. A lower rate will keep monthly payments lower or even provide the ability to pay back the loan faster.

Working on your credit scores may take weeks or longer, but it can be done. Here are some ideas to try:

1. Pay all of your bills on time. If you haven’t been doing so, it could take up to six months of on-time payments to see a significant improvement.

2. Check for errors on credit reports. Be sure that your credit history doesn’t report a missed payment in error or show a debt that’s not yours. You can get free credit reports from the three main reporting agencies.

To dispute a credit report, start by contacting the credit bureau whose report shows the error. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond.

3. Pay down debt. Installment loans (student loans and auto loans, for instance) affect your DTI ratio, and revolving debt (think: credit cards and lines of credit) plays a starring role in your credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization falls under FICO’s heavily weighted “amounts owed” category. A general rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization below 30%.

4. Ask to increase the credit limit on one or all of your credit cards. This may improve your credit utilization ratio by showing that you have lots of available credit that you don’t use.

5. Don’t close credit cards once you’ve paid them off. You might want to keep them open by charging a few items to the cards every month (and paying the balance). If you have two credit cards, each has a credit limit of $5,000, and you have a $2,000 balance on each, you currently have a 40% credit utilization ratio. If you were to pay one of the two cards off and keep it open, your credit utilization would drop to 20%.

6. Add to your credit mix. An additional account may help your credit, especially if it is a kind of credit you don’t currently have. If you have only credit cards, you might consider applying for a personal loan.

💡Recommended: 31 Ways to Save for a House

The Takeaway

What credit score is needed to buy a house? The number depends on the lender and type of loan. An awesome credit score is not always necessary to buy a house, but it helps in securing a lower rate.

Ready to shop for a home? SoFi offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with competitive rates and perks.

Find your rate on a SoFi Mortgage in minutes.


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Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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What Are Bitcoin Mining Pools?

Bitcoin mining pools provide a way for multiple parties to “pool” their efforts when mining Bitcoin. Over time, mining Bitcoin has become increasingly difficult and resource-intensive. As such, pooling resources can make it easier and cheaper to become a Bitcoin miner.

In a Bitcoin mining pool, many network participants combine their computing power into one collective effort. The block rewards are then split among the pool members in proportion to the amount of computing power they contributed.

How Does a Mining Pool Work?

The mining process for a proof-of-work cryptocurrency like Bitcoin involves numerous miners attempting to find and solve a block on a blockchain network. The first miner to find a block receives the rewards for that block in the form of newly minted Bitcoin. Currently, the block reward is 6.25 BTC. It also takes around 10 minutes to mine one Bitcoin as a part of a pool.

💡 Recommended: Proof-of-Work: How It Works

As more and more miners join the network, however, mining difficulty rises. This is thanks to one of the ingenious aspects of the Bitcoin protocol, known as the difficulty adjustment.

Approximately every two weeks, mining difficulty will rise or fall according to how much hashing power is currently on the network. If the hash rate is higher, difficulty will rise, and the lower the hash rate, difficulty will fall.

In general, a high hash rate is good because it helps keep a crypto network secure. But with today’s hash rate hovering near record highs (and tending to rise higher over time), finding a block as an individual miner has become difficult for all but the largest of miners with the most powerful equipment.

That’s where Bitcoin mining pools come in.

A crypto mining pool gathers together connections from miners, potentially around the world, that could be all over the world and pools their hash rate together. This way, they are all mining at a higher level, giving them better odds of solving a block.

After a block has been solved, the rewards are split up among mining pool participants according to how much computing power each contributed.

This calculation is made using a set “Share Difficulty” for each miner and a “Share Time” for the pool. Basically, pools establish a time when hashes will be submitted by all participants, while also assigning a difficulty to each individual miner (more powerful miners have a higher difficulty).

All miners will automatically send a “share” of their hashes at set intervals, e.g., every five seconds, with miners who contribute more receiving a larger number of shares each time according to their higher difficulty rate. Pool participants are then paid out with block rewards proportional to their shares.

Is a Bitcoin Mining Pool Worth it?

For the average person looking into mining Bitcoin, a miner pool may be the only feasible option if you hope to earn a return. But when it comes to asking “is a Bitcoin mining pool worth it,” it all depends on how the term “worth it” is defined.

For those who believe in Bitcoin technology and simply want to help the network thrive by processing more transactions, mining might be worth engaging in, even if it’s not profitable.

For those who are looking to make a profit, however, the answer is more complicated.

Mining is a complex and difficult process for all but the most technical of crypto users. While there are services that help make the process easier for the average person to get into, there are still many nuanced factors that contribute to whether or not mining will be a profitable endeavor.

Those factors can include, but are not limited to:

•   Cost of equipment

•   Cost of electricity

•   The amount of time it will take to recoup equipment costs

•   How difficulty adjustments might impact profitability

•   How BTC price fluctuations might impact profitability

•   When it will become necessary to upgrade to new computers or machines

These considerations have to be calculated and recalculated if a miner wants to stay profitable. There are a lot of unknowns, particularly concerning the fluctuation of Bitcoin prices and difficulty adjustment, which are constantly changing.

When Bitcoin was first created, the calculations involved in mining were so simple they could be accomplished by the average laptop computer.

But over time, the calculations became more complex, eventually requiring high-powered graphics-processing units (GPUs). Today, the majority of mining is mostly done with advanced Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) machines. These are computers created for the express purpose of mining Bitcoin.

The hardware required is constantly evolving. Every so often, existing machines become obsolete due to difficulty adjustments. An ASIC that was powerful enough to be profitable six months ago might not be able to produce enough coins to match the cost of electricity needed to run that same ASIC today. When this happens, miners must acquire new, more advanced hardware.

Finally, it should be noted that mining is perhaps the most difficult way to acquire Bitcoin or any other mineable cryptocurrency. The easiest way is to simply buy cryptocurrency on a crypto exchange.

💡 Recommended: How Does a Crypto Exchange Work?

Functions of a Bitcoin Mining Pool

The primary function of a Bitcoin mining pool, or any cryptocurrency mining pool, really, is to make mining more accessible to prospective miners no matter what resources they have at their disposal.

Secondarily, mining pools can serve as a sort of introduction to mining for beginners who don’t have the know-how to try and get started on their own. In effect, pools may help you learn the ropes of mining without making too much of an investment in equipment and resources.

What Is the Best Bitcoin Mining Pool?

There are dozens of Bitcoin mining pools out there, and for the most part, there’s not a whole lot of difference between them. Besides the small fee they may charge participants, pools only differ based on whether or not they are open to the public and what proportion of the network’s total blocks they mine on average.

Some of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining pools are located in China and include names like F2Pool and Antpool. Together, those two pools mine 36.5% of all Bitcoin, as of 2022. The biggest pool is Foundry USA, which mines almost 25%.

How to Join a Bitcoin Mining Pool

Bitcoin pools allow users to get started mining with any amount of mining power. The process of joining a Bitcoin mining pool involves programming mining software to direct its efforts to a particular pool, which can be done in a few simple steps:

1.    Choose which pool you want to join.

2.    Add the stratum addresses of the selected mining pool to your mining software client.

3.    Connect the wallet you wish to deposit mined coins into.

4.    Configure your mining client for your chosen mining pool.

Finally, the information needed to complete this process will be provided by the pool itself.

What to Consider When Choosing a Cryptocurrency Mining Pool

Joining a Bitcoin mining pool will have its pros and cons, so there are some considerations to make before diving in.

First, there are some clear positives to joining a mining pool. The most obvious, as discussed, is that they are beginner-friendly ways to get into mining, and you don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to get started. And since you’re pooling your resources, there’s probably a better chance that you’ll end up seeing rewards in some shape or form, which may be much more difficult to do if you’re flying solo.

On the other hand, a key consideration is that you likely won’t make much, if any, money. Any coins you do mine will get divided up, and you could be disappointed with what you take home. There may also be fees to join a pool, so you’ll want to do some research on any pool you’re thinking of joining.

Finally, don’t forget that mining isn’t free. You’re using resources, like electricity, to contribute your computational power to the pool. Even if you don’t take home any coins, you may still be burning money.

Mining Pools Beyond Bitcoin

There are numerous types of mining pools out there, not just for Bitcoin. For example, there are pools for mining Ethereum; but note that Ethereum has recently moved to a proof-of-stake model, so you can no longer mine it.

If you’re interested in joining a mining pool, an internet search will yield some results. But know that many cryptos are moving away from mining-based protocols due to their resource demands. So, it may be more difficult to find a pool today than it was a couple of years ago.

The Takeaway

A cryptocurrency mining pool provides a way for multiple smaller miners, or even beginners, to pool their resources and combine their hashing power. Mining at this higher collective hash rate benefits everyone in the miner pool as it increases the odds of earning rewards, and allows miners to leverage whatever level of computing power they have at their disposal.

Those interested in learning about the mining process first-hand could consider experimenting with smaller mining machines and joining a mining pool. But for the average person looking to acquire Bitcoin, buying cryptocurrency from an exchange might be a lot simpler.

FAQ

Can I mine Bitcoin without joining a pool?

You can mine Bitcoin without joining a pool, but most individual miners likely lack the equipment and computing power to effectively turn a profit through mining. As such, many people may benefit from joining a pool to increase their chances of actually realizing a return.

Can anyone join a mining pool?

Yes, anyone can join a mining pool, as they’re designed to be open to miners with all sorts of “rigs,” or no matter where they’re physically located in the world.

How do mining pools share rewards?

In simple terms, a pool that is rewarded for its mining activity divides up the reward (or coin) into shares, and doles it out based on how much work each member contributed to the pool. The more work your computer puts into the mining pool, the bigger your share, in other words.


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