🎓
4-Year University
Traditional bachelor's degrees at public or private institutions nationwide.
Now open for enrollment
Their future is wide open. Start saving for it.
Whether it's a university, community college, trade school, or apprenticeship — a Fates Financial 529 keeps every door open with tax-free growth and a modern platform built for today's families.
- Less than 5 minutes to sign up
- 100% tax-free growth
- Use at schools nationwide
Every path counts
It's not just for college.
It's for whatever comes next.
Most students don't have a definitive plan after high school — and that's completely okay. A 529 keeps all these options open so you can build the financial foundation today.
📚
Community College
Affordable associate degrees and transfer programs close to home.
🔧
Trade & Vocational
High-demand skilled trades like welding, electrical, HVAC, and healthcare.
🛠️
Apprenticeships
Earn while you learn with registered apprenticeship programs and certifications.
The platform
Everything you need to save smarter
Estimate costs, track expenses, invite loved ones to contribute, and maximize every dollar — all from one platform.
Beautifully Modern Platform
A sleek, intuitive experience built for today's families. Manage everything from your phone with real-time tracking and smart automations.
College Cost Estimator
Forecast future education costs factoring in tuition trends, inflation, and your savings trajectory — so you're never caught off guard.
Invite Friends & Family to Give
Share a gifting link so grandparents, relatives, and friends can contribute directly to your child's education fund.
Connect Your Credit Card
Link your card via Stripe to automatically track qualified education expenses and stay on top of spending.
Upload Receipts
Snap and upload receipts to document qualified expenses, making it effortless to maximize every dollar you've saved.
100% Tax-Free Growth
Earnings grow federally tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free for qualified education expenses at eligible institutions.
Automated Contributions
Set it and forget it. Smart recurring contributions that adapt to your financial situation and keep you on track.
You Stay in Control
You own the account, not the student. You decide when and how the money is used, with flexible beneficiary changes.
See it in action
A dashboard that makes saving effortless
Track your goals, monitor expenses, and invite family to contribute — all in one place.
- Track Your Growth Watch your balance grow with real-time charts and contribution history.
- Set Savings Goals Target a specific school and see projected savings vs. actual costs.
- Invite to Give Share a link so grandparents and family can contribute directly.
Qualified expenses
What can a 529 pay for?
It covers much more than just tuition. From trade schools to laptops, your savings work harder than you think.
🏛️
Tuition & Fees
Universities, community colleges, and grad schools nationwide.
⚡
Trade Schools
Vocational and technical schools eligible for federal aid.
🛠️
Apprenticeships
Fees, books, and equipment for registered programs.
🏠
Room & Board
Housing and food costs for students enrolled at least half-time.
📖
Textbooks
Required books, course materials, and lab supplies.
💻
Computers & Tech
Laptops, software, and internet access needed for school.
Side by side
How does a 529 compare?
Three common paths families take to save for education. See why a 529 comes out ahead.
Cash Savings
Simple & safe
- Very liquid, available immediately
- Low risk, principal protected
- No tax advantages
- Loses value to inflation
Brokerage Account
Flexible growth
- Stock market returns
- Use for any purpose
- Taxes on all earnings
- May reduce financial aid
529 Account
Maximum efficiency
- Tax-free growth & withdrawals
- High contribution limits
- Use at schools nationwide
- Favorable financial aid rules
Why it matters
Your only job right now is to keep the doors open
Education costs historically rise faster than general inflation. And it's not just tuition — books, housing, food, and technology often double the sticker price. Small, steady saving is the secret.
Fates Financial gives you the tools to estimate those future costs, track your spending, upload receipts, and invite your community to contribute — so you're always a step ahead.
Sign up in less than 5 minutes. Our streamlined digital process removes the headache — your funds are professionally managed and held at Invesco, BlackRock, or Victory Capital.
- 01Tuition ≠ total cost — housing, food & tech add up fast
- 02Education costs rise faster than general inflation
- 03Borrowing for living expenses burdens graduates for decades
- 04Starting early means more time for compound growth
- 05A 529 is the most tax-efficient way to save for education
Common questions
Everything you need to know
About 529 plans and Fates Financial.
What is a 529 plan?
A 529 is a tax-advantaged investment account designed specifically for education savings. Think of it like a 401(k), but for your child's future education. Earnings grow federally tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses.
Is it only for four-year colleges?
Not at all. 529 funds can be used at universities, community colleges, trade schools, vocational programs, and registered apprenticeships. If plans change, you can even change the beneficiary to a sibling or another family member penalty-free.
What expenses can I use my 529 for?
Qualified expenses include tuition and fees, room and board (for students enrolled at least half-time), textbooks and supplies, computers, software, and internet access required for school, as well as fees and equipment for registered apprenticeship programs.
Can anyone contribute to the account?
Yes! Grandparents, family members, and friends can all contribute directly to the account. With Fates Financial, you can share a simple gifting link to make it easy for loved ones to give toward your child's future.
Who controls the account?
You do. As the account owner, you maintain full control over the funds. You decide when and how the money is used, and you can change the beneficiary at any time to another qualifying family member.
What happens if my child doesn't go to school?
You have options. You can change the beneficiary to another family member, use up to $10,000 to repay student loans, or as of 2024, roll unused funds into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary (subject to certain conditions and limits). Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to taxes and a 10% penalty on earnings.
How is Fates Financial different from other 529 providers?
We've built a modern, mobile-first platform with features traditional providers don't offer: a college cost estimator, credit card expense tracking via Stripe, receipt uploads for qualified expenses, and easy gifting links for friends and family. Your funds are professionally managed and held at Invesco, BlackRock, or Victory Capital.
You don't have to choose
the path today.
Just start saving. Whether it's a university, trade school, or something they haven't discovered yet — a Fates Financial 529 keeps every option on the table.
Get Started — It's Free- Less than 5 minutes to sign up
- Invite family to give
- Track expenses automatically