New York 529 College Savings Program

Pace University offers the New York 529 Direct Plan College Savings Program, administered by Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc. (Program Manager) and Vanguard (Investment Manager), as a voluntary benefit offering making saving for college convenient for our full-time and part-time faculty and staff.

Now more than ever, families need a college savings strategy that helps them reach their goals in the most efficient way possible. The best way to meet this challenge is to start planning and saving now. The New York 529 College Savings Program is designed to help you and families save for college in the most convenient, flexible and affordable way possible. In addition, it also provides federal and state tax advantages as defined by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code and New York State tax regulations.

The New York College Savings Program provides an opportunity for employees to save towards higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, supplies, books, and equipment required for enrollment at eligible undergraduate, graduate or professional institutions (including vocational, business, and trade schools) in the United States and around the world. Most room and board expenses are also covered for students enrolled at least half time.

Some of the benefits of this program are

• Minimum contribution of $15/paycheck
• Contributions and earnings grow tax-deferred
• Qualified withdrawals are tax exempt from federal and New York State taxes
• Eligibility for a tax deduction ($10,000 married filing jointly; $5,000 filing single)
• Portability upon separation from the University
• Maximum contributions of $375,000 lifetime, inclusive of earnings.

An employee can establish accounts on behalf of several different beneficiaries (a familial relationship is not required) and there is no age restriction.

For more information, visit the New York's 529 College Savings Program website, or call toll free at 1 (877) 697-2837.

NY’s 529 College Savings Program Enrollment Kit. Once employee completes the process, he/she will receive a payroll deduction form – the employee has to contact Payroll (not Benefits) for instructions concerning modifying his/her direct deposit info to include the portion now directed to NY529.