College savings: What professionals need to know

WA529 Invest, formerly DreamAhead, is dedicated to helping Washington families save for higher education.

Key facts

  • A direct-sold plan well-suited to the priorities of financial professionals: Low expenses, a disciplined investment approach as well as support and services tailored to the needs of advisors.
  • Maximum Washington taxpayer benefits: Tax-free growth and distributions when used for qualified higher education expenses. If the funds aren't used for qualified higher education expenses, any earnings are subject to federal and applicable state income taxes and an additional 10% federal tax penalty (Federal Penalty Tax).
  • Flexible use options to help minimize impact of changing client needs or priorities: Approved for a wide range of educational experiences and expenses that can be used nationwide and for many schools abroad. Change eligible beneficiaries or simply withdraw assets for any reason (federal and applicable state taxes and penalties may apply if not used for qualified education expenses).
  • A disciplined set of investment options: Full suite of self-adjusting Enrollment Year Portfolios that utilize a progressive glide path, creating a more gradual shift in asset allocation. In addition, WA529 Invest offers Multi-Fund and Single Fund Investment Options, allowing for more control over allocations. Portfolios are managed by a dedicated 529 investment team and use funds from leading asset managers.
  • Estate tax and legacy planning benefits:
    • Estate tax exempt. Kiddie tax exempt. Generation skipping tax exemption eligible.
    • Able to seed account with large upfront contribution–a lump sum gift of $95,000 if you’re a single filer or $190,000 if you’re married and prorate the gift over five years per the federal gift tax exclusion as of 2025.
    • No limit on the number of accounts/beneficiaries.
    • Account owner maintains control over assets.
  • Simplified 529 account management: Access client data easily and quickly with Ascensus QuickView®.
  • Planning tools and sharable resources: For example, use our College Savings Calculator to explore funding scenarios considering age, contribution levels, school choice as well as your assumptions for ROI and cost inflation.

What can you do?

  • Include college savings as part of your periodic goal discussions.
  • Encourage your clients to have dedicated college savings accounts as this may reduce the temptation to use retirement assets for college savings.
  • Make sure college savings are invested in vehicles with appropriate risk-reward profiles and that your clients take advantage of available tax benefits.
  • Use our Enrollment Year Investment Option on its own or fine-tune their risk/global exposure by mixing with an allocation of our Multi-Fund or Single Fund Investment Options.

Helpful resources

Manage your client’s accounts with 529 QuickView®

Easy 529 account management for financial professionals.

Need some help?

Give us a call

844-529-5845

Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. PT

For those with a hearing impairment, please contact us at the number above via a relay service. Translation services available upon request.

Technical questions

For access, password reset and computer-related issues, call the dedicated 529 QuickView Help Desk.

888-823-4348

Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET

QuickView Help Desk Online

More to explore

  • Compare portfolios

    We make it easy to choose portfolios that fit your financial needs and savings goals.

    Discover your options

  • Calculate the cost of college

    Explore different scenarios to help you achieve your college savings goals.

    Use our calculator

  • See how your savings add up

    Use our calculator to get a quick estimate of how much you could save for education.

    Estimate your savings