Take Advantage Of Your States College Savings Plan
It's smart college money management

Advantage 1 - Your Money Works Harder

• Tax-Deferred Earnings - Contributions to your states College Savings Plan will grow free from federal and state income tax, making every dollar work harder. These tax advantages help your investment grow faster. Money otherwise used to pay taxes continues to work for you.
• Tax-Free Withdrawals - Withdrawals used for qualified expenses will be free of both federal and Minnesota income tax, which means you may have more money available for education expenses.*

If you have gift and estate tax considerations, you may also find the Minnesota College Savings Plan to your liking. Not only are you able to accelerate gifting from your estate, you maintain control of the money.

• Low Expenses - The low costs of the Plan put more of your investment toward education expenses, not account administration. An annual asset-based management fee is used to cover the cost of investment management and administrative services, at the low rate of 0.65% of the Plan's average daily net assets. No other fees or charges will be applied to your account.

• Matching Grant - The state of Minnesota will provide a matching grant to eligible Minnesota resident families contributing at least $200 to the Plan during a particular year. Account beneficiaries from Minnesota families with income of $50,000 or less may be eligible for a matching grant of up to 15 percent of their contributions during the year, up to a maximum of $300. Account beneficiaries from Minnesota families with income between $50,001 and $80,000 may be eligible for a matching grant of up to 5 percent of their contributions to the Plan during the year, up to a maximum of $300. Account owners must apply for the grant by no later than December 31 of each year the minimum contribution is made. Account owners will receive information about applying for the grant. If multiple accounts are established for the same beneficiary, the maximum matching grant per year cannot exceed $300. (Please see the Disclosure Booklet for more information).

Advantage 2 - It's Flexible to Meet Your Needs

• Choice Of Schools - Whether your child decides to go to a private or public college or university, trade or graduate school, in Minnesota or another state, funds in your account may be used at any eligible educational institution. Your savings can be used for tuition as well as related qualified expenses such as books, supplies, required fees, and certain room and board expenses.

• Range Of Investments - The Minnesota College Savings Plan offers you three investment choices:
• Managed Allocation option
• Guaranteed option
• 100% Equity option

• Transferability - If your beneficiary decides not to attend college, you can transfer funds in your account to another family member of the original beneficiary, including siblings, spouse, cousins - even yourself.
• If you are changing beneficiaries, you can roll over the money from another 529 Plan into your account to take advantage of all the benefits of the Minnesota College Savings Plan.
• An account owner can transfer funds from one investment option to another once per calendar year for the same beneficiary or upon a change in beneficiary.

• No Income Restrictions or Annual Contribution Limits - Parents, grandparents, relatives and friends at any income level may open an account and contribute to the Minnesota College Savings Plan for a beneficiary. There is, however, an overall maximum account balance limit of $235,000. Once the maximum account balance limit has been met, new contributions will be rejected but, your account may continue to accrue earnings beyond the $235,000 limit based on the performance of the investment option(s) you've selected.

• You're In Control - Unlike money invested through the Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA), with the Minnesota College Savings Plan you maintain control of the funds in the account. Your child or beneficiary can't spend the money on a motorcycle. However, if you decide to use the money for something other than a qualified education expense, your earnings will be subject to federal and Minnesota income tax and an additional tax. Please see the Disclosure Booklet for further details.

Advantage 3 - You Can Get Started For $25

• Low Minimum Contribution - An account may be opened with a $25 check, electronic funds transfer, automatic contribution plan or rollover from another qualified tuition program. You can also contribute $15 per investment option per pay period using payroll deduction through participating employers. You may open separate accounts for as many different beneficiaries as you wish.

Advantage 4 - You Benefit From Professional Management

• Professional Money Management - TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) provides investment management, marketing and overall administration for the Minnesota College Savings Plan under the oversight of the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office (HESO). TFI, the acknowledged leader in providing program management for 529 savings plans, manages several other state 529 programs.**