Invest with CollegeCounts

The CollegeCounts 529 Fund offers tremendous tax advantages including tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified college expenses.¹ In addition, Alabama taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax deduction of up to $5,000 per individual ($10,000 if married filing jointly).² Over time, these tax advantages, along with your investment dollars, can help provide additional savings for college. For additional information see the Tax Q&A.

¹Withdrawals used to pay for qualified higher education-related expenses are free from federal and Alabama state income tax. These expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment at a qualified institution of higher education. Room and board is considered a qualified education-related expense if the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

²A deduction, not to exceed $5,000 per taxpayer, is allowed as an adjustment to income on the Alabama income tax return for contributions made to the CollegeCounts 529 Fund or the PACT Program. The deduction may equal an amount up to $10,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return where both taxpayers are making such contributions into the CollegeCounts 529 Fund or the PACT Program (closed to new investors).

When you invest with CollegeCounts, as an account owner you control the account. You have the ability to name or change the beneficiary, select and change investments, direct withdrawals, and manage your account online.

CollegeCounts is proud to present a wide variety of investment options. Investors select from 3 age-based options, 6 target portfolios, or 24 individual fund portfolios. These investment options are from a number of well-respected mutual fund families including T. Rowe Price, American Century, BlackRock, PIMCO, and Fidelity.

All portfolios benefit from the investment oversight of Wilshire Associates, a leading global investment consulting firm that provides CollegeCounts with portfolio design, due diligence, and ongoing monitoring services. Wilshire Associates originated the now-named Dow Jones Wilshire 5000^SM Composite Index and other market indexes and has been helping individuals achieve their investment goals for more than 30 years.

Put the flexibility of this plan to work for you, and start saving for college today. With no required minimum or ongoing contributions and high maximums, the CollegeCounts 529 Fund is a great way for you to reach your college savings goals. You can also set up an automatic investment plan to make saving more convenient.

The CollegeCounts 529 Fund makes it easy for friends and family to help give the gift of a college education. Parents, grandparents, and others can make contributions on behalf of the beneficiary to celebrate birthdays and special occasions.

When it’s time to pursue higher education, the money you’ve saved with CollegeCounts can be used nationwide at most accredited colleges and universities as well as trade schools and graduate schools. All public and private postsecondary educational institutions that participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid programs are eligible. Find out whether the school you have in mind is on the searchable list of eligible institutions.