Overview

Start Saving Now

The world is getting more competitive every day. For your child to be successful, a college degree is almost mandatory. But with tuition costs rising faster than most salaries, paying for college is becoming increasingly difficult. Doing so requires thoughtful planning and starting your college savings as early as possible. We can help.

Who Should Invest?

Anyone can open an account for any beneficiary in the College Savings Plans of Maryland.

As a parent you can plan and start saving early for your children's future anytime. As a grandparent, you can help your children save for their children by establishing your own college savings account for your grandchild. Parents, grandparents and others can all save for the same child by establishing multiple accounts in that child's name.

Gifts from grandparents, family members and friends are a great way to help your savings grow.

Two Plans. Choose one or both.

Within the College Savings Plans of Maryland, there are two State-sponsored 529 Plans from which to choose. The Maryland Prepaid College Trust locks in tomorrow's tuition at today's prices. The Maryland College Investment Plan, managed by T. Rowe Price, offers a variety of investment portfolios, flexible contribution amounts, and no sales loads, commissions or enrollment fee. Or you can choose a combination of both.

Flexible Payment Options

You can start saving with as little as $25 by making automatic monthly contributions to the Maryland College Investment Plan, or purchase as little as a one-semester plan in the Maryland Prepaid College Trust. And remember, gifts from grandparents, family members, and friends are a great way to help your savings grow.

Save Here. Go Anywhere.

Your child may attend nearly any college nationwide - public or private, two-year or four-year. Your child can also use the money at certain U.S. schools that have campuses outside of the country.

Enroll Anytime

For either Plan, you can enroll from the day your child is born. With the Maryland Prepaid College Trust, you can enroll your newborn at any time until his or her first birthday at the lowest available prices that are in effect when we receive your enrollment. In the Maryland College Investment Plan, you can even enroll before your child's birth by first naming yourself as the Beneficiary.

Unique Benefits For Marylanders

These are the only 529 Plans that offer Maryland State tax benefits, including a Maryland State income deduction on your contributions of up to $2,500 annually (per account or beneficiary depending on the plan you choose).

Getting Started Is Easy

It's never too early or too late to start saving for your child's future. So we make it as easy as possible to do so. Our redesigned Web site allows you to sign up, get updates, view performance data, and make changes to your account whenever you like. With a new baby in the house, that kind of convenience will definitely come in handy!

Learn more about the great tax benefits, and other advantages, the College Savings Plans of Maryland offer to make it easier than ever for you to save for college.