How To Pay For College With A 529 Plan [529 Plan Distributions]
Taking money out of a 529 plan is more complicated than putting money into a 529 plan. Here’s how to take money out without getting penalized.
Mark Kantrowitz is an expert on student financial aid, scholarships, 529 plans, and student loans. He has been quoted in more than 10,000 newspaper and magazine articles about college admissions and financial aid. Mark has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reuters, USA Today, MarketWatch, Money Magazine, Forbes, Newsweek, and Time. You can find his work on Student Aid Policy here.
Mark is the author of five bestselling books about scholarships and financial aid and holds seven patents. Mark serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Student Financial Aid, the editorial advisory board of Bottom Line/Personal, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Center for Excellence in Education. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of the National Scholarship Providers Association. Mark has two Bachelor's degrees in mathematics and philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master's degree in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).

Taking money out of a 529 plan is more complicated than putting money into a 529 plan. Here’s how to take money out without getting penalized.

Early action vs. early decision, and regular decision: these are the three main options for college admissions. Here’s what you need to know.

The PSLF Buyback Program lets you make retroactive payments for certain months that do not otherwise count toward the 120-payment requirement for forgiveness.

How to make a college list: find financial and academic fit when you apply to college and how to decide what schools to apply to.

Here’s a full breakdown of all the key changes to college financial aid and higher education as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill.

We analyze the data of which colleges award and which students receive institutional merit scholarships and financial aid.

Breaking down the House Ways and Means Committee Budget Reconciliation Bill, as it relates to higher education, student loans, and education tax benefits.

Breaking down what types of payments are eligible for PSLF and buyback, including which periods of deferment and forbearance, and what steps you need to take.

IDR plans can result in lower student loan payments, but there are ways to decrease the student loan payments even further. Learn more.

Parent PLUS Loans have historically been ineligible for income-driven repayment plans. Congress wants to change that, but can they?

From Walmart to Coca-Cola, food brands and stores are giving away scholarships. Here’s where to find them and who qualifies.
The College Investor® provides the latest news and analysis for saving and paying for college, student loan debt, personal finance, banking, and college admissions.