National nonprofit offers key 529 details and research, policy updates, savings approaches and interactive gifting map to support families funding lifelong education

The College Savings Foundation (CSF), a leading nonprofit dedicated to helping families prepare for education expenses over a lifetime, has unveiled its updated website to inform and engage people of every age on funding their postsecondary ambitions. By creating a central resource for current news, data and tactics on using tax-advantaged 529 education savings plans, the new platform seeks to heighten awareness of these adaptable instruments for covering costs and accessing a wider array of learning routes.

With CSF's fresh logo, the site acts as an online gathering spot for individuals and households exploring 529 plans, supporting organizations and CSF members. Current subjects cover legislative developments to shifts in parent and student views on financing higher education. CSF's national interactive gifting map delivers side-by-side details to relatives and friends seeking ways to contribute to a child's education fund.

Over 25 years, CSF has played a key role working with policymakers for the 529 sector and the families it serves to broaden 529 use past standard four-year college toward career and technical programs, community colleges, professional credentials and other postsecondary costs. Established by Congress three decades ago, 529 education savings plans grow free of federal taxes when applied to qualified tuition and expenses.

"We take pride in CSF's growth and evolution to serve students of every age in affording and supporting their education journeys," said CSF Chair Chris McGee. "We appreciate our collaborations with industry, government bodies, educators and communities that let us refine 529 education plans to better fit family needs." CSF originated as the College Savings Foundation in 2001.

A notable multigenerational pattern emerged from CSF's 2025 State of Higher Education Survey of 1,000 parents across age groups from their 20s to 50s. A full 25 percent indicated they had applied 529 funds to their own schooling and are now building 529 accounts for their children. This result points to an ongoing tradition of saving as the cohort born when 529s began now raises its own families.

529 popularity mirrors this pattern. As of 1Q 2026, 529 savings plans held $569 billion in assets under management across more than 17.1 million accounts (excluding prepaids), per ISS Market Intelligence.

High school students in particular favor cash gifts for education instead of physical items. CSF's 17th Annual Youth Survey of 1,000 sophomores, juniors and seniors showed three-quarters prefer monetary gifts over tangible presents for education on special occasions, while 82 percent want parents to share a link so family and friends can contribute straight to their 529 plan.

Beyond tuition, 529 funds cover qualified costs including room and board, computers, books and technology software, up to $20,000 yearly for K-12 expenses, and up to $10,000 toward student loan repayment with a lifetime cap per beneficiary.

Recognizing the value of lifelong saving habits, Congress allowed unused 529 balances starting in 2024 to roll over to a Roth IRA under set rules, including a $35,000 lifetime limit per beneficiary. This step reassured parents that leftover 529 savings could support the child's retirement and, if invested, benefit from extended compounding.

CSF is a Washington, D.C.-based not-for-profit group assisting American families in reaching their education savings targets for life. www.collegesavingsfoundation.org

Media Contact: Lynthia Romney, RomneyCom, [email protected], 914-589-2140

SOURCE The College Savings Foundation