Become a member college
Over twenty years ago, a group of private colleges and universities founded the nation’s only prepaid tuition plan owned and operated by its member institutions — now known as Private College 529 Plan. Today, nearly 300 schools nationwide participate in the Plan, all committed to making private college more affordable.
We invite you to join our consortium of member colleges dedicated to affordability.
Why Families Choose OUR Plan
Private College 529 Plan allows families to save for the college education they’re preparing for. Whether continuing private education beyond high school or honoring their family’s tradition at a beloved alma mater, our families are focused on private college and its unique benefits. They want to prepay for top institutions, free from state residency requirements and financial uncertainty. By joining Private College 529 Plan, you’re reaching families who have made the decision to pursue private education, intent on helping their students succeed.
HOW THE PLAN WORKS FOR MEMBERS
I can confidently say that being part of Private College 529 Plan just makes sense.
I can confidently say that being part of Private College 529 Plan just makes sense. My institution's membership sends a strong message: We want to help families save for college. The risk is low, and there's something special about hundreds of colleges coming together to demonstrate their commitment to affordability. Plus, as someone saving in the Plan, I trust my grandson will have what he needs for the future.
Ed Kania, VP of Business and Finance, Rollins College
Board of Directors
As the only 529 plan owned and operated by its member colleges, our organization understands the unique challenges facing higher education today. Our board members bring a wealth of experience and have set the Plan on a course for growth and success.
Audrey Smith
Chair of the Board
Smith College – Emerita
Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings
Vice Chair of the Board
Howard University
Patricia Langer
Secretary and Treasurer
Macalester College
Thomas Bear
Rose-Hulman Institute
of Technology
Rakesh Dahiya
Southern Methodist University
David DeSwert
Smith College
Kim Downs-Burns
Middlebury College
F. Robert Huth, Jr.
Stetson University – Emeritus
Ed Kania
Rollins College
Jason Knoch
Princeton University
Karen Kristof
Colorado College
Ralph Kuncl
University of Redlands – Emeritus
John Latting
Emory University
Phil Levine
Wellesley College
Mary Nucciarone
University of Notre Dame
Ronne’ Patrick Turner
Washington University in St. Louis
Tim Warner
Stanford University
Lori White
DePauw University
OUR MEMBER COLLEGES
From small liberal arts colleges to large STEM universities, there are nearly 300 participating schools in the Plan. See the full list here.
5 reasons to join
1. Provide affordability
We understand that affordability is a shared concern for your institution and for families saving for college. By joining our membership, your institution signals a clear commitment to affordability and joins a broader community working to manage the rising cost of higher education. This collective effort, visible to families, media and policymakers, helps more students access a quality private education — a goal we all share.
2. Enhance and strengthen alum connections
Your alumni are some of your strongest advocates, so it’s no surprise they want their children or grandchildren to attend their alma mater. With Private College 529 Plan, you can support them in continuing or starting a legacy at your college, while deepening their connection through a smart way to plan for future college costs.
3. Help ease the middle-income “squeeze”
Middle-income families often face challenges when it comes to paying for college. They may not qualify for need-based financial aid, yet still find tuition costs out of reach. Private College 529 is a practical way to help these families prepare for college costs.
4. Showcase your expertise
With so much noise surrounding the college planning, saving and financing process, families are seeking guidance from true experts like you. Through our larger brand, CollegeWell, we offer opportunities to engage families with educational content that positions you as a trusted expert in college planning and financing, and highlights your commitment to providing exceptional guidance to all families.
5. Reach prospective students
Our Plan is unique because many of our savers are committed to the private college path. They recognize the exceptional opportunities available through the schools in our network. By becoming a member, some of the work of reaching prospective students is done for you. Beginning in 2025, Private College 529 Plan will start accepting enrollments from international families, giving your institution access to a high-demand population.
We know we’re in good company
As a member institution of Private College 529 Plan, Wentworth is able to get in front of families serious about pursuing a private education. So, from an enrollment standpoint, early exposure to these students is a smart move. Plus, we know we’re in good company with hundreds of other schools also committed to affordability.
Kristin Tichenor, Former Senior VP Enrollment Management, Wentworth Institute of Technology
BECOMING A MEMBER IS EASY
INTEREST FORM
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PREPAID TUITION FAQS
How do Tuition Certificates work?
During each plan year (July – June), a family can make contributions to their account, which lock in a percentage of a year of tuition at each school in the Plan. At the end of the plan year, all contributions aggregate into the purchase of a Tuition Certificate. The value of the Tuition Certificate will vary depending on the current rate of tuition at each school in the Plan.
For example, if Nancy contributes $10,000 to her account throughout the plan year, her Tuition Certificate will equal a third of a year of tuition at College A where current annual tuition is $30,000, and a quarter of a year at College B where current annual tuition is $40,000.
No matter how much tuition increases at Colleges A and B, Nancy will always own these percentages of tuition (33.33% at College A and 25% at College B).
Can families use Tuition Certificates at a college that joins the Plan after they're purchased?
Yes. Participating schools are required to honor Tuition Certificates that were purchased before they joined, based on the tuition rate charged by that school for the academic year during which the Tuition Certificate was purchased. Participating schools guarantee Tuition Certificates for 30 years from the time of purchase, regardless of whether the school participated at the time the Tuition Certificate was purchased.
Do families need to choose a college when opening an account?
No. Families do not need to know where their child is going when they open an account. Their prepaid tuition can be used at any current or future participating school as long as the student is enrolled.
How quickly can a family redeem their Tuition Certificates?
Tuition Certificates must be held for 36 months from the issue date before they can be redeemed to pay for tuition at a participating school. The issue date is the first date during a plan year that a purchase of a Tuition Certificate is made.
Is there a minimum contribution amount for families?
Families can open an account with as little as $25, and contributions to the Plan are flexible. Families can set up monthly, quarterly or annual automatic payments, or contribute a lump sum from a tax refund, bonus, inheritance, etc. The Plan requires that families contribute a minimum of $500 within the first two years of opening an account; otherwise, we will refund families the purchase amount without interest, and the contract will be terminated.
When a family redeems their Tuition Certificates, how does my college bill the student?
Your college will bill the current year tuition and fee rate it charges to all students. The family uses their prepaid tuition (Tuition Certificates) to pay for all or a portion of tuition and mandatory fees. The tuition value the family redeems is based on how long they’ve saved in the Plan and how much prepaid tuition they’ve locked in.