529 College Savings Plans in Indiana

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Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan allows you to invest in your child’s future with as little as a $10 deposit. You can then contribute up to $450,000—one of the highest contribution maximums we’ve seen in the country. The plan also offers investment portfolios with relatively low fees. Your options include year-of-enrollment portfolios that automatically change their asset allocation to carry less risk as your child approaches college age. If your child is already close to college age, you can  invest in an FDIC-insured savings account. In addition, Indiana taxpayers are eligible for tax credits worth 20% of their contributions up to $5,000. 

How Do I Enroll in the CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan?

You can open an account with the CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan sponsored by the state of Indiana online. The process should take a few minutes if you’ve gathered the following information about yourself and your beneficiary: 

• Addresses
• Birthdates
• Social Security or tax identification numbers
• Your bank account and routing numbers if making initial $10 minimum contribution electronically. 

You can also fill out a paper application and mail it in. In addition, you’ll need to select an investment option at time of enrollment. 

How Much Does the Indiana 529 Plan Cost?

Each portfolio in the CollegeChoice 529 Plan charges a total annual-asset based fee, which combines the plan management fee with the estimated expenses of the mutual funds in each portfolio. This fee total currently ranges from 0.14% to 0.77%, making Indiana’s 529 plan one of the most fee-friendly in the country. 

So if you invest $10,000 in a portfolio with a total annual asset-based fee of 0.27%, your fees would amount to just $35 after one year. This estimation assumes the following:

• A 5% annually compounded rate of return 
• The total funds are withdrawn at the end of the period for qualified expenses.
• The total annual asset-based fee remains unchanged.
• Account maintenance fee is waived.

The $20 annual account maintenance fee can be waived if either you or your beneficiary are Indiana residents. 

Tax Benefits of the CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan

The CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan is open to all U.S. citizens, but Indiana taxpayers get bonus perks. They are eligible for tax credits worth 20% of their annual contributions up to $5,000 per account. 

For all account holders, contributions can grow tax-exempt. This means your earnings will be shielded from Uncle Sam, and you can take full advantage of compound interest. Your withdrawals will also be tax-free as long as you use the money to fund qualified higher education expenses such as tuition and mandatory fees. 

And thanks to the SECURE Act, qualified expenses now include the costs of apprenticeship programs. You can also withdraw up to $10,000 tax free to pay for student loans. That's a lifetime limit, however. So you can't make a tax-free withdraw of $10,000 to pay off student loans each year. Anything beyond that limit would be considered a non-qualified withdraw if used to pay off student loan debt. 

Non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax as well as a 10% penalty. You may also have to pay back previously-claimed tax deductions. You should speak to a qualified tax advisor in your area about how a nonqualified withdrawal may affect you based on our unique circumstances. 

What Are My Investment Options?

The CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings plan offers a diverse menu of low-fee investment portfolios featuring year-of-enrollment options. These may suit you if you’re new to investing. You can choose one named after the year you expect your child to enroll in college. These portfolios then automatically change their asset allocation. When your child is young, these portfolios aim for strong growth by investing mostly in stock funds. But as your child approaches the college years, the portfolio switches focus to less risky investments like bond funds with an aim to earn a steady return and protect your savings. 

You can also invest in one or more individual portfolios to create a customized investment strategy based on your risk appetite. Each one of these portfolios invests in a single underlying mutual fund and they invest in all major asset classes like stocks and bonds. You can use our asset allocation calculator to see how investment mixes may break down based on different risk levels. A financial advisor can also help you construct a personalized investment strategy with the portfolio options available through the Indiana 529 plan. 

But if your risk tolerance is very low or you’ve been saving for a while and believe it's time to protect your earnings, you may be interested in the plan’s Savings portfolio. This FDIC-insured option invests your contributions entirely in a NexBank high-yield savings account. 

But regardless of which option you choose, federal law allows you to change investment options twice per year. This may be a good idea as your financial situation and savings goals change. 

You can also move your savings into a CollegeChoice 529 high-yield savings account by the College Savings Bank, a division of NexBank SSB. This FDIC-insured account offers a current interest rate of 1.55% coupled with the tax benefits of a 529 college savings plan. 

How Do I Withdraw Money from the Indiana 529 Plan?

You can request a withdrawal by logging on to your account or by filling out a distribution form and mailing it in. The payment can be made to you, your beneficiary or an eligible educational institution. An eligible school is virtually any accredited institution that accepts financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. This means you can use your 529 plan savings to cover qualified educational expenses at a variety of schools including vocational and four-year universities in the U.S., as well as some foreign institutions.

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If you prefer the guidance of a financial professional when saving for your child’s future college education, Indiana’s CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan may be the right option for you. This plan offers the same tax benefits as its direct counterpart, but it offers a vastly different investment menu featuring portfolios that invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which generally charge lower fees than mutual funds. A financial advisor can help you invest in one or more of the plan’s options to create a customized savings strategy based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. 

How Do I Enroll in the CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan?

You can open an account with the CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan through a financial advisor, who would guide you through the enrollment and investment selection process. When choosing an advisor to work with, however, make sure you examine his or her qualifications and credentials. Some advisors such as Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are held to stricter standards than advisors not registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, compensation structures can vary widely across advisors and this can have a profound effect on your long-term savings. For example, certified financial planners (CFPs) typically work on a fee-only basis, while other advisors receive fees from clients plus sales commissions from third parties. 

So be sure to ask your advisor questions about his or her certifications, fee structures and areas of expertise.

How Much Does The CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan Cost?

The fees associated with the CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan vary depending on your portfolio option, share class choice and other circumstances. But because this is an advisor-sold 529 plan, you may encounter additional fees you won’t find in a direct plan. These are typically charged to compensate advisors and others associated with the management and marketing of the plan. 

An example is a sales charge, which can vary based on your share class choice. Portfolios with Share Class A, for example, have initial sales charges which are taken from each contribution. Portfolios with Class C Units charge a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), which usually sets in when you withdraw units within a certain time after making a contribution. Sales charges can be waived in some cases such as increasing account balances. 

And like the investment options in the direct plan, each portfolio also charges an annual asset-based fee. You should have a thorough discussion with your advisor about which portfolio option and corresponding share class is best for you as well as all fees involved. 

Below are more details about how fees break down by share class. 

 Class A Units 

• Maximum initial sales charge: 5.25%
• Total annual asset-based fee for portfolios: 0.66% - 1.40% 

 Class C Units

• Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC): 1.00%
• Total annual asset-based fee for portfolios: 1.41% - 2.15% 

Tax Benefits of the CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan

As with the direct-sold plan, this advisor-sold 529 plan option sponsored by Indiana offers several tax benefits. Your contributions can grow tax-deferred and your withdrawals will be tax-free if you use the money to fund qualified higher education expenses. 

However, you’d still face some consequences for making non-qualified withdrawals from the advisor-sold plan. Speak to your financial advisor about any tax implications associated with these types of distributions. You should also discuss additional tax benefits offered by all 529 college savings plans. For example, 529 plans offer distinct gift tax and estate-tax benefits. 

What Are My Investment Options?

Indiana’s advisor-sold 529 plan allows you to invest in the same types of portfolios as the direct plan. However, the underlying investments in this plan’s portfolios are different. For example, individual and age-based portfolios in the advisor plan allow you to invest in iShares ETFs that BlackRock, T. Rowe Price and PIMCO manage.

However, the advisor plan offers the same Savings Portfolio managed by NexBank. Your advisor can help you invest in one or more of these options to create a long-term savings strategy based on your personal goals and evolving financial situation.

How Do I Withdraw Money from the CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan?

You can request a withdrawal by logging onto your account online or by filling out a distribution form. However, you should refer to your financial advisor before making any withdrawal in order to analyze how you can best draw down your funds. 

If you’re not sure how to go about seeking an advisor, you can use our SmartAdvisor matching tool. By answering a few simple questions, the tool will link you to qualified advisors in your area based on your preferences. 

Check Out Other 529 Plans

You do not have to live in Indiana to invest in its 529 plan. Take a look at these other states' 529 plans.

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Indiana also sponsors the CollegeChoice CD 529 College Savings Plan. This program allows you to invest in a certificate of deposit (CD) or savings account that offers all the features and benefits of a 529 plan. 

CDs generally pay higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts and money market accounts. But you must lock in your money for a specific term length or face certain penalties. The CollegeChoice 529 plan CD comes in terms of one, two and three years. This fixed-rate CD currently generates the following interest rates. 

• 1-year term: 0.65%
• 2-year term: 0.65%
• 3-year term: 0.75%

You can open an account with a minimum deposit of $250. And you can make additional deposits of at least $25 by linking a checking or savings account. 

This program also offers the Honors Savings Account, which pays an interest rate of  0.64%. You can open one with a minimum deposit of $250.  This option also allows additional deposits of at least $25.

How Do I Enroll in the CollegeChoice CD 529 Plan?

You can begin the application process online. There, you can print and sign an enrollment form. To make the process easier, have the following information available: 

• Residential and mailing address (account owner and beneficiary)
• Email and phone number
• Date of birth (account owner and beneficiary)
• Social Security number / Tax ID (account owner and beneficiary)

You’ll also need banking information to initiate your first deposit. In addition, you’ll need to send a legible photocopy of a valid U.S. government-issued ID or passport. You can mail necessary documentation to the following address:

College Savings Bank

2515 McKinney Ave, Suite 1100

Dallas, TX 75201

How Much Does the CollegeChoice CD 529 Plan Cost?

There are no fees associated with the CollegeChoice CD or the Honors Savings Account. But keep in mind that withdrawing funds from a CD before its term ends, known as the point of maturity, would trigger certain penalties. Check with the College Savings Bank for the latest details. 

Tax Benefits of the CollegeChoice CD 529 Plan

Indiana residents may receive tax credits worth 20% of the amount of the total contributions to CollegeChoice CD or savings account during the taxable year, up to $5,000

Beyond the Indiana tax credits, both CollegeChoice CD and savings accounts enjoy the same tax benefits other 529 plans do like tax-deferred growth.

What Are My Investment Options?

You may invest in a CD ranging from terms of one- to three-years or a savings account.

How Do I Withdraw Money from the CollegeChoice CD 529?

You can visit collegesavings.com to download, print and sign a Distribution Authorization Form.