09/06/2026
When families think about paying for college, tuition is usually the first number that comes to mind. But education costs can include much more.
And depending on the student's circumstances, a 529 plan may be used for many qualified education expenses—not just tuition.
The IRS also allows certain 529 distributions to be used toward student loan principal or interest, subject to a $10,000 lifetime limit per individual.
Planning for education means looking beyond the tuition bill and considering the full financial picture.