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Helping meet the cost of a college education
The cost for your newborn's four-year degree at an in-state public college could total almost $245,000. For private college, that cost could rise to almost $490,000.1 Investing regularly gives your college investing plan the potential for long-term growth.2
529 Plan Overview
Consider a tax-advantaged Section 529 plan to invest for a college education.
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Coverdell ESA
Consider a tax-advantaged Coverdell EducationSavings Account to invest for a child's K-12 or college education.
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Custodial UGMA/UTMA
Consider a Custodial UGMA/UTMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors/Uniform Transfers to Minors) to gift money to a minor.
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Find a solution for your college planning needs
Merrill Edge® offers potential solutions to help you reach your college funding goals. Whether you're concerned about how much to invest, have questions about how much you can contribute or withdraw, or need information about potential tax advantages - Merrill Edge can help you identify which college planning option fits your needs.
Not sure which one is right for you?   Compare college investment productsCompare college investment products
Related College Savings Articles
Planning for the Cost of a Higher Education
As with any large savings goal, it's best to start investing early and often for college. Read Full Article »
Section 529 Plans: Investing for College
A college education is one of the best investments you can make for your child's future. Read Full Article »
Using 529 Plans to Invest for College and Manage Wealth
For affluent parents and grandparents, a 529 plan offers a variety of potential benefits. Read Full Article »
Getting Your Children Involved in Saving for College
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the best time to introduce children to college planning is when they are in the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade. Read Full Article »
College Planning Tool
Questions & Answers
Please remember there's always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Before you invest in a Section 529 plan, request the plan's official statement and read it carefully. The official statement contains more complete information, including investment objectives, charges, expenses and risks of investing in the 529 plan, which you should consider carefully before investing. You should also consider whether your home state or your beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's 529 plan.

BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research is equity research produced by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith incorporated and/or one or more of its non-U.S. affiliates.

Any information presented about tax considerations affecting your financial transactions or arrangements is not intended as tax advice and cannot be relied on to avoid any tax penalties. Neither Merrill Edge® nor its Financial Solutions Advisors provide tax, accounting or legal advice. You should review any planned financial transactions or arrangements that may have tax, accounting or legal implications with your personal professional advisors.

1 www.collegeboard.com, College Cost Calculator, as of February 2011. Assumes 6% college cost inflation rate.

2 An automatic investment plan does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Such a plan involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels; Investors should carefully consider their financial ability to continue their purchases through periods of fluctuating price levels.

3 To be eligible for favorable tax treatment afforded to any earnings portion of withdrawals from Section 529 accounts, such withdrawals must be used for "qualified higher-education expenses," as defined in the Internal Revenue Code. Any earnings withdrawn that are not used for such expenses are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax, as well as applicable state and local income taxes.