The DreamAhead College Investment Plan is Washington’s direct-sold 529 college savings plan that helps families save for future higher education expenses. DreamAhead opened in 2018, and since then, over 16,000 students have taken distributions of $521.1 million in DreamAhead benefits to help pay for qualified higher education expenses at colleges, universities, and technical schools nationwide.
- Program typeSavings
- Inception2018
- State agencyWashington Student Achievement Council
- Tax deduction
- Program ManagerVestwell State Savings, LLC, Vestwell State Savings, LLC
- Program distributorCommittee on Advanced Tuition Payment and College Savings (WA529 Committee)
Ratings & Rankings
Our overall rating for WA residents
This is a program that offers outstanding flexibility, attractive investments, and additional economic benefits (such as generous state tax incentives) that for some people, at least, will provide a substantial boost to their savings. There are few, if any, weaknesses noted in the program.
Our overall rating for non-residents
This is an excellent program with many benefits for the participant and positive investment attributes. If it has any significant weaknesses then it also has some particularly good things to recommend it.
SAVING FOR COLLEGE’S 5-Cap Ratings provides an evaluation and comparison of 529 plans, utilizing a formula that examines dozens of factors grouped into the following categories.
Eligibility
State residency requirements:
Who can be a participant/owner in the program?
Alternative 529 Plans
Other great plans to consider
You are not limited to opening your own state's 529 plan, so shop around. Here are some highly rated options to consider:
Plan
Our Rating
Fee Score
Performance
Contributions
Maximum contributions:
Minimum contributions:
Does the program offer an e-gifting platform for receiving gift contributions?
Investment Options
Age-based/Enrollment Year investment options:
View more age-based investment optionsStatic investment options:
View more static investment optionsUnderlying investments:
View a full list of this plan’s investment optionsUnderlying fund allocations:
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Fees & Expenses
Enrollment or application fee:
Account maintenance fee:
Program management fees:
Expenses of the underlying investments:
Total asset-based expense ratio:
Taxes and other Benefits
- Tax deduction for single filersNone
- Tax deduction for joint filersNone
Note
Washington doesn't offer tax deductions
Program match on contributions:
State tax deduction or credit for contributions:
State definition of qualified expenses
Is there a rewards program or outside scholarship program that works with this program?
Upromise Helps Families Save for College
Statutory protection of an account from creditors:
Distributions & Terminations
To whom are distributions made payable:
Account Changes
Policy regarding participant/owner changes:
Documents, Access & Reporting
Does participant have online password-protected access to account?
Can the complete enrollment process including funding be done online?
Documents and other services accessible or downloadable on the program's public Web site:
Contact
Website:
Telephone:
http://twitter.com/wa529Plans