Publications & Links

Financial Aid Process Favors Saving for College (198.8 KB)
To better understand how 529 plans fit within the U.S. Dept. of Education Federal Financial Aid formula read the CSPN Report: Financial Aid Process Favors Saving for College May 2011

IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education
This publication explains tax benefits that may be available to you if you are saving for or paying higher education costs for yourself or another student who is a member of your immediate family.

529 Plans can be used at more than 4,000 eligible institutions including accredited colleges, universities, vocational schools and other postsecondary educational institutions that participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education (search FAFSA.gov’s Federal School Code Search tool to see if your school is eligible).

College Board’s Trends in College Pricing
The College Board tracks trends in college cost and student aid annually. Check out the current and past college costs to determine what the future may look like.

College Board’s Trends in Student Aid
Trends in Student Aid presents annual data on the amount of financial assistance—grants, loans, work-study, and education tax benefits—distributed to students to help them pay for postsecondary education.

Education Pays
Education Pays 2019: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society documents the ways in which both individuals and society as a whole benefit from increased levels of education.

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal financial aid; Pell grant, student loan, and college work-study. Most states/schools use FAFSA to award their aid.

Former CSPN Chair Jim DiUlio and SC Treasurer Curtis Loftis discuss 529 plans on Education Talk Radio – Fall 2018

CSPN Update – February 29, 2012 (141.4 KB)
Learn about College Savings Aggregator Services in this new update from CSPN.