Hit Your Stride for Their Future
Your little one is now in the first phase of their education journey. While time is on your side as your child’s high school graduation is still years away, take the opportunity now to set or reevaluate your current savings strategy for your child’s future education—whether it be for college, technical or trade school, or an apprenticeship.
Learn
College savings strategies look different for everyone. Explore our resources to learn how to make the most of your Plan's benefits and to build a strategy that works best for you.
While your budget, goals, and priorities may change as your child grows up, it’s important to:
Create a strategy that works for your family.
Set concrete goals to strive toward every year.
Track and celebrate your progress.
Developing a College Savings Strategy That Will Work Best for You
Deciding how much to save for your child’s education and when to start saving are important steps in developing a college savings plan.
Expert insights from a T. Rowe Price thought leadership director can help you build your strategy.
Learn MoreUnique Tax Advantage
As an account owner and Maryland taxpayer, you can subtract up to $2,500 per beneficiary from your Maryland State income for contributions in that calendar year.
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Plan
One important part of building your saving strategy is creating a plan that fits your budget. Use these tools to determine your monthly savings goals and maximize your tax benefits, paving the way for a bright future.
Start Talking About Tomorrow
Now is a great time to let your child know you are investing in their future with the Maryland College Investment Plan. Just knowing that their family is planning ahead can make a big difference and inspire them to dream big.
Closing the College Affordability Gap: Maximizing the Benefits of 529 Plans
While juggling so many competing priorities, saving for higher education can be a big financial challenge for many families. Inflation has taken a toll on many household budgets, and finding money to set aside to save for future education has understandably become increasingly challenging. Parents are looking for ways to bridge the college affordability gap without relying too heavily on loans, which can leave graduates with substantial debt upon graduation.
Learn from T. Rowe Price thought leadership directors how 529 plans can be a powerful tool that parents can utilize to bridge the gap and help secure their children’s educational future.
Learn MoreCollege Financing Planner
Your starting point to help you determine what you may need to save each month.
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Save
With time on your side, now is the ideal moment to make progress on your savings journey. Begin by automating your savings, inviting your loved ones to contribute through gifting, and learning how to take full advantage of your Plan's many benefits.
Flexibility
Any 529 plan, including your College Investment Plan account, offers another option to consider in your child’s educational journey.
You can use the money saved in your account for tuition expenses of up to $10,000 each year at private, public, and religious elementary or secondary schools.1
This may be something to consider, especially if you are on the path of saving to fund both K–12 and college education for your child. Keep in mind that you can accumulate a maximum account balance of up to $500,000 per beneficiary.
If you choose to use your account toward K–12 tuition, now may be a good time to evaluate your investment strategy to ensure your asset allocation matches your timeline for using your account.
If your child does not plan to attend college, you may also use your College Investment Plan account to fund other education opportunities, such as trade school or apprenticeship programs.
Explore Other Education OpportunitiesAutomate Your Savings
You have the advantage of making saving a habit early to be better prepared for your child’s future education.
You choose how much you want to invest and how often, and you can start with as little as $25 per month, potentially reducing your overall average cost of investing.2
Get Started
Don’t forget that as an account owner, you could be eligible for a $250 or $500 State contribution through the Save4College State Contribution Program. The application period is open from January 1 to May 31.3
READYSAVE™ 529 Mobile App
How do you compare to other savers?
Everyone has different savings goals. With the free READYSAVE™ 529 mobile app, you can see what others in your plan contribute per child per year and easily add money as a one-time or recurring contribution to be sure you stay on track to meet your goals.
You can also give your saving a boost by having friends and family make one-time or on-going contributions through Ugift®.4 Use the app to easily send them a digital invitation to contribute to your child’s account.
Manage your account anywhere, anytime.
Gifting
Now’s the time to start asking family and friends to help you on your savings journey by contributing to your child’s account in lieu of gifts for celebrations —such as pre-K graduation, holidays, and birthdays—with Ugift.
Choose other savings journey for the support you need.
1 While distributions from 529 college savings plans for elementary or secondary education tuition expenses are federally and Maryland State tax-free, state tax treatment in other states will vary and could include state income taxes assessed, the recapture of previously deducted amounts from state taxes, and/or state-level penalties. You should consult with a tax or legal professional for additional information.
2 Investing a constant dollar amount, also known as dollar cost averaging, cannot assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Since such a plan involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels, investors should consider their financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low and high price levels.
3 If you received a Save4College State contribution in a given tax year, you are not eligible to receive Maryland State income subtraction modifications for contributions to any Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan account made in that same year. Additionally, your application will NOT be automatically updated when you request a beneficiary change or distribution after submitting an application. If you request a beneficiary change or distribution and wish to change the account that will receive the State contribution, please contact us at 1-888-4MD-GRAD (463-4723), Option 1
4 Ugift® is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC.
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