Minnesota College Savings Plan

Parent Resources

branding graphicPlanning for a college education shouldn't be keeping you up at night. We've put together a collection of college planning resources to help you rest easier, including guidelines on when to save and how much, how to choose a savings plan that's right for you, plan ratings, and information on other programs and services such as applying for financial aid.

To get started, please visit the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, which provides overall administration of the Minnesota College Savings Plan. This site contains valuable information and resources on college preparation, selection and financial aid.



Minnesota Resources

  • Minnesota Office of Higher Education
    The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends.
  • Get Ready for College
    Includes information on college preparation, selection and financial aid.
  • Minnesota Department of Education
    The Department of Education's mission is to improve educational achievement by establishing clear standards, measuring performance, assisting educators and increasing opportunities for lifelong learning.
  • ECFE
    ECFE offers a variety of classes and resources for parents and children, birth through kindergarten age

Articles

Tools and Calculators

  • Savings Calculator

    See how well your savings are keeping up and how your investment returns compare to a taxable account.

  • COOL College Opportunities Online Locator
    A direct link to nearly 7,000 colleges and universities in the United States that includes information on tuitions, eligible educational institutions, and Title IV participation.

  • Counselor-O-Matic
    The Princeton Review's search engine combines academic and extracurricular history with preferences to help you find the college that's right for you.

  • Comparison Chart
    Review how Minnesota College Savings Plan compares to other savings options.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

Educational Links

  • ACT

    America's most widely accepted college entrance exam, ACT's web site provides educational and career planning for students and teachers.

  • Saving for College
    Includes information about 529 plans and other ways to save and pay for college.

  • College Board
    Delivers programs and services in college admissions (i.e. SAT), guidance, assessment, financial aid, and enrollment.

  • The Princeton Review
    Includes tools and information to help students find the right college or grad school.

  • College Savings Plan Network
    An affiliate to the National Association of State Treasurers, which acts as a clearinghouse for information on existing college savings programs.

  • Financial Aid
    Includes guide to saving for college.

  • Federal Student Aid
    Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, provides financial aid to millions of postsecondary students. Also develops, distributes and processes the FAFSA.

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid web site (FAFSA)

  • Mapping Your Future
    Site for students and families with information on financial strategies, career options and college planning.

  • TIAA-CREF
    Includes information on the range of college savings options available through TIAA-CREF.

  • US Department of Education
    Includes information and planning resources for students, parents and educators.

Parent Resources

  • MNParent
    Minnesota Parent is a monthly publication with ideas, resources and activities for parents.
  • BeFamily
    BeFamily is a one-stop resource guide for families.
  • MomTalk.com
    Online resource that provides timely, relevant and trusted content to moms, by moms and for moms.
  • Family Times
    Family Times provides parenting information through its feature stories, editorials and columns, plus entertainment games and options for children.
  • Share Save Spend
    Helps families achieve Financial Sanity™ by developing and maintaining healthy money habits.

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    WE'RE HERE TO HELP

    Check out our FAQ and the Minnesota College Savings Plan Disclosure Booklet and Participation Agreements (PDF, 773KB), or call us toll-free at:

    1-877-338-4646

    We're available Monday through Friday, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Central Time.

    I'm ready to open an account!

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    The tax information contained on the Minnesota College Savings Plan Web site is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. It was written to support the promotion of the products and services addressed in the Web site. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

    Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Minnesota College Savings Plan. Please call toll-free 1(877) 338-4646 for a Disclosure Booklet containing this information. Read it carefully.

    Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your designated beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

    TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, distributes Minnesota College Savings Plan. The State of Minnesota, its agencies, TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America and its affiliates do not insure any account or guarantee its principal or investment return except for TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company’s guarantee to Minnesota College Savings Plan under the funding agreement for the Guaranteed Option. Account value will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.

    The Minnesota College Savings Plan Web site contains links to other Web sites. Neither Minnesota College Savings Plan nor TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. and its affiliates are responsible for the content of those other Web sites. The accuracy of information on those sites cannot be confirmed.

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    © 2007 TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, distributes Minnesota College Savings Plan. 2008 TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc.