How much will college cost?

With your Oklahoma 529, you’re never locked in. You’ll always have access to several options for this money:

• Your funds can be used to pay for a variety of eligible education expenses, including at any accredited college, university, CareerTech, community college or postgraduate program in the United States—and even some schools abroad. In addition, up to $10,000 annually can be used toward K-12 tuition (per student) from Oklahoma 529.
• You can transfer the funds to another eligible beneficiary, such as another child, a grandchild or yourself.
• If funds are withdrawn for a purpose other than qualified higher education expenses, the earnings portion of the withdrawal is subject to federal and state taxes plus a 10% additional federal tax on earnings (known as the “Additional Tax”). See the Plan Description for more information and exceptions.
• If you just want the money back, you can withdraw the funds at any time. You’d just pay the applicable taxes and penalty on earnings.
• Effective January 1, 2024, Account owners may roll money from an Oklahoma 529 account to a Roth IRA for the benefit of the 529 plan account beneficiary without incurring federal income tax or penalties (state tax treatment varies). For the rollover to be treated as a non-taxable event, certain conditions apply as referenced in Am I eligible to rollover funds from my 529 plan account to a Roth IRA?¹

Or you can always wait because the funds never expire, and often the choice to go to school is a delayed decision. So if your child changes their mind down the road, your savings will still be available.

Footnotes

1. ¹The TIAA group of companies and Oklahoma 529 do not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to address your specific circumstances.↩

Your contributions will always be yours, and you do not need to be a resident of Oklahoma to open, contribute to or use an Oklahoma 529. Your Oklahoma 529 can also be used for a range of qualified expenses in state, out of state and abroad. If you move to another state, you can keep your money invested and continue making contributions to your Oklahoma 529 account—no problem!

No. Your Oklahoma 529 funds can be used at any accredited university in the country—and even some abroad. This includes public and private colleges and universities, CareerTech, community colleges, graduate schools and professional schools and costs associated with apprenticeships. In addition, up to $10,000 annually can be used toward K-12 tuition (per student) from all 529 plans and student loan repayment (lifetime limit).¹ For a list of qualifying expenses and the state tax treatment of withdrawals for these expenses, view the Plan Description.

Footnotes

1. ¹Withdrawals for tuition expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school, registered apprenticeship programs, and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Oklahoma income tax. If you are not an Oklahoma taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances.
   
   Apprenticeship programs must be registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act. Student loan repayment subject to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual when using a 529 plan.↩

Qualified higher education expenses include tuition, certain housing and food expenses, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for the enrollment and attendance of the beneficiary at an eligible educational institution. This includes most postsecondary institutions. Computers and related technology such as internet access fees, software or printers are also considered qualified higher education expenses when used primarily by the beneficiary when enrolled at an eligible educational institution.

Qualified higher education expenses also include certain additional enrollment and attendance costs at eligible educational institutions for any beneficiary with special needs.

Qualified higher education expenses also include (a) tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at a primary or secondary public, private or religious school (up to a maximum of $10,000 of distributions per taxable year per beneficiary from all Section 529 programs); (b) expenses for fees, books, supplies and equipment required for the participation of a beneficiary in a certified apprenticeship program; and (c) amounts paid as principal or interest on any qualified education loan of either the beneficiary or a sibling of the beneficiary (up to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual).¹ Review the Plan Description for additional information, including the state tax treatment of withdrawals for these expenses.

Footnotes

1. ¹Withdrawals for tuition expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, registered apprenticeship programs, and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Oklahoma income tax. If you are not an Oklahoma taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction and state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances.↩