Document Type
Article
Abstract
Funding higher education is among the critical financial decisions made by individuals and families. There are myriad options. Yet, the conventional wisdom—namely using Section 529 Plans—may not be the optimal vehicle to effectuate this goal. Therefore, this Article discusses various strategies to plan, save, and pay for higher education. It compares various savings methods including gifts, UTMA accounts, Section 529 Plans, trusts, and other vehicles. The analysis explores both tax and non-tax considerations, including the effect of different strategies on financial aid, transaction costs, investor control, income taxes, gift and estate taxes, flexibility, and creditor protection. This Article concludes that the ubiquitous Section 529 Plan may not be as effective as conventional wisdom suggests. Indeed, we argue that Section 529 Plans are optimal only when capital can be exclusively committed to education funding, which may not be the most desirable savings tactic for a wide swath of American families who need to plan for other financial needs (e.g., retirement and unforeseen medical needs).
DOI
10.37419/LR.V5.I2.3
First Page
343
Last Page
389
Recommended Citation
F. Philip Manns Jr. & Timothy M. Todd,
Higher Education Savings and Planning: Tax and Nontax Considerations,
5
Tex. A&M L. Rev.
343
(2018).
Available at:
https://doi.org/10.37419/LR.V5.I2.3
Included in
Accounting Commons, Administrative Law Commons, Common Law Commons, Counselor Education Commons, Education Law Commons, Finance Commons, Legal Education Commons, Other Education Commons, Social Welfare Commons, Taxation-Federal Commons, Taxation-Federal Estate and Gift Commons
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