A tax-advantaged investment account designed to pay for qualified education expenses, with a contribution limit of $2,000 per beneficiary per year.
Coverdell Education Savings Account
Expenses that qualify for tax-free withdrawals from education savings plans, including tuition, fees, books, and sometimes room and board.
Qualified Education Expenses
A type of 529 plan allowing contributors to purchase tuition credits at current rates for future use, typically limited to in-state public colleges.
Prepaid Tuition Plan
Allows contributions to an investment account to grow tax-free, with withdrawals also tax-free if used for qualified education expenses.
Education Savings Plan
A tax credit for qualified education expenses paid for an eligible student for the first four years of higher education, offering up to $2,500 per student.
American Opportunity Tax Credit
A federal tax credit of up to $2,000 per household for qualified tuition and related expenses, available for any level of education.
Lifetime Learning Credit
Funding provided to students to help cover education costs, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Financial Aid
The amount a family is expected to contribute to a student’s education, calculated by a federal formula considering income, assets, and family size.
Expected Family Contribution
A form that students must complete to qualify for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Financial awards given to students based on academic, athletic, or other achievements, often not requiring repayment.
Scholarships
Need-based financial aid that does not need to be repaid, such as the Federal Pell Grant for low-income students.
Grants
Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest, including federal loans like Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and private loans from banks or other lenders.
Student Loans
A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment for students with financial need, helping them earn money to pay for education expenses.
Work-Study Program
Allows assets to be held in a custodial account for a minor’s benefit, which can be used for education but is not specifically designed for education funding.
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act