Invest in their future with a trusted 529 plan.

Traditional savings accounts aren’t the only way to plan for higher education. With a NEST 529 account, you get more benefits and opportunities to support your loved one’s future, wherever their dreams take them.

There’s a smarter way to plan ahead.

Tax-Deferred Growth

Any growth in the NEST 529 account is tax‑deferred.

Strong Portfolios

NEST 529 fund family includes reliable, well-known names like Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, Dimensional, and more.

Invest From Any State

NEST 529 is a Nebraska-sponsored plan, but you don’t need to live there to open an account.

NEST 529 Fund Family

When you save with NEST 529, your money is powered by a combination of these trusted, well-respected companies. If you choose a more hands-on Investment Option (like an Individual Fund) you can use these choices to customize your account to match your investment style. If you are more a “set it and forget it” saver, these names will play a more behind-the-scenes role in your investment savings.

Vanguard
Dimensional
Dodge and Cox Funds
State Street Global Advisors
American Funds

Get started in 10 minutes.

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Tax benefits in each state.

NEST 529 is sponsored by the State of Nebraska, but you don’t need to live there to enjoy the benefits of an account. When you save with NEST 529, you don’t have to pay taxes on the money you earn within the plan. And when your loved one is ready for higher education, any investment growth is yours to use tax-free for qualified higher education expenses like tuition, books, and equipment.1 Use this map to see what kind of other benefits your state might offer in addition to tax-free saving.

Tax-Parity States include: Arizona, Montana, Minnesota, Kansas City, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Florida

States that offer tax benefits for contributions to any state’s 529 plan.

Tax-Neutral States include: Alaska, California, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas, Hawaii, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine

States without state income taxes or other state benefits for investing in that state’s 529 plan.

Tax-Benefit States include: Orlando, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, D.C.

States where income tax benefits are only available for those who pay income tax in that state and own, or contribute to, that state’s 529 plan.

Use Funds Anywhere

NEST 529 accounts can be used to help pay for most public and private universities, community colleges, graduate schools, trade schools, technical programs, and even apprenticeships. So no matter where your loved one wants to go, you’ll be prepared to support them.

Learn More about Use Funds Anywhere

Quick to Start, Easy to Manage

It only takes 10 minutes to open a NEST 529 account. Once you do, it’s simple to set up recurring contributions, manage your investments, and update your information.

Learn More about Quick to Start, Easy to Manage

FAQs

An account may be opened by an individual, certain entities (including a partnership, corporation, estate or association that is domiciled in the United States), a custodian under a state’s UGMA or UTMA statute or a trust to save for the Federal Qualified Higher Education Expenses of a Beneficiary. An account may also be established by a state or local government or a tax-exempt organization described in Code Section 501(c)(3) as part of a scholarship program operated by the government or organization. Each account owner must have a Social Security number or taxpayer identification number and a residential U.S. street address.
Yes! You don’t have to live in Nebraska to open a NEST 529 account. Before you do so, scroll up to the map on this page to see the tax benefits you might be eligible for if you live in a different state.
To open an account, you must complete an Enrollment Form. You can obtain an Enrollment Form by:
  • Enrolling online
  • Downloading the form, completing and submitting it to the Plan
By completing and submitting an Enrollment Form, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Program Disclosure Statement and Participation Agreement, which govern your rights, benefits and obligations as an account owner.
The Beneficiary is the individual for whom Federal Qualified Higher Education Expenses are expected to be paid from the account. Any individual with a valid Social Security number or taxpayer identification number can be a Beneficiary. A Beneficiary can be of any age and need not be a resident of the State of Nebraska or of the United States. Each account may have only one Beneficiary, but different account owners may establish different accounts for the same Beneficiary. An account owner may also name himself or herself as the Beneficiary.
This generally includes any accredited post-secondary educational institution in the United States offering credit toward a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree, a graduate level or professional degree or another recognized post-secondary credential. Certain proprietary institutions, post-secondary vocational institutions and foreign schools also are Eligible Educational Institutions. These institutions must be eligible to participate in U.S. Department of Education student aid programs provided by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Listing of Eligible Schools
Federal Qualified Higher Education Expenses include:
  • Tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for the enrollment or attendance of a Beneficiary at an Eligible Educational Institution;
  • Subject to certain limits, the Beneficiary’s room and board expenses if enrolled at least half-time;
  • The purchase of computer or peripheral equipment, computer software or Internet access and related services if they are to be used primarily by the Beneficiary during any of the years the Beneficiary is enrolled at an Eligible Educational Institution;
  • Expenses for special needs services in the case of a special needs Beneficiary which are incurred in connection with enrollment or attendance at an Eligible Educational Institution;
  • Apprenticeship Program Expenses;
  • Qualified Education Loan Payments;
  • K-12 Expenses (Federal - tuition and costs up to $10,000 in 2025, increasing to $20,000 January 1, 2026. Nebraska - Beginning January 1, 2029, tuition up to $10,000.); and
  • Qualified Postsecondary Credentialing Expenses effective July 4, 2025 (Federal, not Nebraska).
NEBRASKA Taxpayers:  please see the next question: “What is a Nebraska Non-Qualified Withdrawal?”
If you haven’t found what you need here, check out the full FAQ page.

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