Why low fees matter.
With college costs increasing so dramatically — in-state tuition and fees at public universities, for example, have risen a staggering 296% from 1995 to 20151 — you should have every dollar working for you. That's why it's critical to consider cost when choosing the right college savings plan. IDeal has:
- no commissions, loads, or sales charges
- total annual asset-based fee of 0.36% ($3.60 per $1,000 invested)
- $20 annual account fee waived for Idaho residents
- Savings Portfolio: 0.34% − translates to annual cost of $3.40 per $1,000 invested
Contribute to your account your way.
You decide how much and how often you contribute to your IDeal account. Choose the method that's right for you:
Recurring contributions2
Save little by little by having your contributions come directly from your bank account monthly or even quarterly. With minimums of as little as $25 per month, or $75 per quarter, it's like saving a dollar a day.
Sign into your IDeal account and click Contribute or Make a Contribution. Click the “Electronically from your bank account” option and follow the onscreen steps.
Payroll direct deposit
Want to invest in college savings at work? Ask your Human Resources or payroll department about direct deposit from your paycheck into an IDeal account. Sign up for as little as $15 per paycheck.
Lump-sum contributions
Of course, you can contribute any time you like by check or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) directly from your bank ($25 minimum).
Contributing by Check:
Contribution checks should be mailed here. If you have a contribution voucher, please include it with your check. If you do not have a contribution voucher, please write the full name of the beneficiary in the check memo area and include a brief note indicating the amount to be deposited to the account, the Account Owner’s name and the Beneficiary’s name (the student you are saving for).
For security purposes, please do not include account numbers or social security numbers on your check or note.
Contributing by Electronic Funds transfer:
Sign in to your IDeal account and click “Contribute” or “Make a Contribution”. Click the “Electronically from your bank account” option and follow the onscreen steps.
If you are not an IDeal Account Owner but would like to gift to an IDeal account electronically check with the Account Owner for the beneficiary’s Ugift code. Have a code? Enter it at Ugift529.com.
Other ways to contribute
- Rollover from another 529 plan
- Rollover from a Coverdell Education Savings Account or a qualified Series EE or Series I U.S. Savings Bond
- Transfer of cash from an UGMA/UTMA account (Note: consult with a tax advisor as there may be tax consequences)
- Give or receive the gift of college savings by using Ugift® − Give College Savings ($25 minimum)
- Upromise® ($25 minimum)
Fiction:
You can only use a 529 plan to pay for tuition.
Fact:
You can use it for qualified higher education expenses, i.e.: including tuition, fees, certain room and board costs.
