How do we determine whether a college certificate program is a qualified education program under the meaning of 529 saving plan?

[EllieWS]

My high school senior son is going to take a certificate program at a college while he's still studying at high school. We already set up a 529 plan for him. I remember that the 529 plan has expanded to certificate programs and some vocational training programs. How do we know if such a program would be qualified? Does the beneficiary of 529 plan have to graduate from high school before withdrawing funds from 529 plan?

[Bsch4477]

The student does not have to be a high school graduate to be eligible for those withdrawals. 

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

Q. Does the beneficiary of 529 plan have to graduate from high school before withdrawing funds from 529 plan?

A. No.  But, it depends on what the certificate is for.  The certificate school must be an "eligible institution", "post secondary" and have policy of granting college (or other post secondary) credit for that course,  if the student ever enrolls there. In other words, it is a requirement that the course be a college credit course, even if the student isn't currently a college student. It’s not that the student is post-secondary, it’s that the course is post secondary.

Generally,  529 plans can only be used to pay tuition  for K-12 (secondary) students (no books or other expenses).  So, if the certificate cost qualifies as High school tuition, a 529 distribution would qualify under that rule (if it doesn't meet the post secondary rule).

[Bsch4477]

HR 8915, a bill to extend 529 funds for credentialing programs has not yet been passed into law. Eligible schools are those indicated by @Hal_Al. 

[EllieWS]

Thank you for the detailed explanation! Very helpful.

[EllieWS]

Thanks! I thought the bill had been passed.

[EllieWS]

Got it. Thanks!