Anyone can help with an Edvest 529 College Savings Plan account

Parents, grandparents, family and friends—everyone can help your child achieve their savings goals.

Who can open an account?

  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Family members
  • Family friends
  • You
  • Financial professionals
  • Anyone with a valid Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number
  • Entity (e.g., a scholarship fund)

Which students can benefit from an account?

  • Children
  • Grandchildren
  • Other family members
  • Family friends
  • Yourself
  • Anyone with a valid Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number

Who can contribute to an account?

Anyone, really, including:

  • Grandparents
  • Family
  • Students
  • Employers
  • Financial professionals
  • Trusts and estates

Not only can basically anyone open a 529 account for someone they care about, it only takes about 15 minutes and as little as $25 to get started!

Gifting

Your Edvest 529 account makes it easy for anyone to make contributions to your child’s college. From grandparents to other family members to friends and more, everyone can help turn their dreams into a reality.

Contributions for any occasion can be easily made and managed through our secure online gifting platform, Ugift®. Gifts can also be made by mail with a check. And in certain cases, the gift giver can also receive state tax benefits. Consult your tax professional.

Gift an account

Anyone with a valid Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number can open an Edvest 529 account on behalf of an eligible beneficiary. The plan can also provide tax benefits for legacy and estate planning.

Learn more about gifting and its benefits

Even employers can contribute!

Ask your employer about Edvest At Work, or click the link below for more details.

Edvest At Work

More to explore

Explore our plan

Learn more about eligibility and all the qualifying expenses an Edvest 529 account can cover.

How our 529 works

A guide for financial professionals

Check out our comprehensive resources for professionals.

Learn more

Ready to get started?

Relevant FAQs

Edvest 529 provides a unique set of benefits that can mean more flexibility and growth potential, including:

  • Tax-free qualified withdrawals
  • Wisconsin state tax deduction
  • Low fees and expenses
  • Easy-to-choose investment portfolios
  • Favorable financial aid treatment
  • Use for a wide range of education expenses and programs—in Wisconsin and around the world

Get more details and compare savings options.

Contributing to an existing Edvest 529 account is easy and secure with our online Ugift® platform. Gift contributions can also be made by check and mailed in. Wisconsin taxpayers' gifts may be eligible for the state tax deduction. Check with your tax professional.

For the tax year 20232024:

  • There’s no federal gift tax on contributions you make up to $17,000$18,000 per year if you’re a single filer or $34,000$36,000 if you’re a married couple.
  • You can also accelerate your gifting with a lump-sum gift of $85,000$90,000 if you’re a single filer or $170,000$180,000 if you’re married and prorate the gift over five years per the federal gift tax exclusion.
  • You can gift this amount to as many individuals or beneficiaries as you like, free from income tax.

Consult your tax professional for more details. Learn more about gifting here.