Our story
"Private College 529 Plan has provided U.S. families with a college savings solution for 20 years. We look forward to opening a new chapter of our story by welcoming international families to the plan."
- Bob Cole, President & CEO
PRIVATE COLLEGE 529 PLAN
In 2003, a group of colleges and universities created a 529 plan to help families save on the future cost of tuition, what would be called Private College 529 Plan. Twenty years later, our purpose remains the same, and our membership has grown to include nearly 300 institutions — all uniquely their own, all committed to affordability.
For families, this means there are plenty of options in schools. Plus, every family’s prepaid tuition is guaranteed because our schools own the plan — something that sets us apart from any other 529 plan.
Timeline
1986
The first prepaid college savings vehicle is established.
1996
U.S. Congress enacts Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.
2001
U.S. Congress passes legislation making qualified distributions from 529 plans tax-exempt and permitting “colleges and their consortia” to sponsor prepaid tuition plans.
2003
Private College 529 Plan launches under the name Independent 529.
2003
BusinessWeek magazine recognizes the plan on its Best Products of 2003 list.
2003
The plan has 863 accounts and over $8 million in assets by the end of the year.
2006
The first Tuition Certificate is redeemed by a family at Baylor University in Texas.
2006
The plan has 257 participating colleges, 5,000 accounts, and $106 million in assets by the end of the year.
2010
Our name changes from Independent 529 to Private College 529 Plan.
2017
Private College 529 Plan grows the number of participating colleges to 290.
2022
Private College 529 Plan introduces CollegeWell with online resources and expert guidance on saving and paying for college.
2023
Private College 529 celebrates 20 years and is featured in The Wall Street Journal. By July 1, the plan has over 7,500 accounts and $345 million in assets.
Board of Directors
Audrey Smith
Chair of the Board
Smith College – Emerita
Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings
Vice Chair of the Board
Oberlin College
Patricia Langer
Secretary and Treasurer
Macalester College
Thomas Bear
Rose-Hulman Institute
of Technology
Rakesh Dahiya
Southern Methodist University
David DeSwert
Smith College
Kim Downs-Burns
Middlebury College
F. Robert Huth, Jr.
Stetson University – Emeritus
Ed Kania
Rollins College
Jason Knoch
Princeton University
Karen Kristof
Colorado College
Ralph Kuncl
University of Redlands – Emeritus
John Latting
Emory University
Phil Levine
Wellesley College
Thomas McWhorter
Northeastern University
Mary Nucciarone
University of Notre Dame
Fred Rogers
Carleton College – Emeritus
Ronne’ Patrick Turner
Washington University in St. Louis
Tim Warner
Stanford University
Lori White
DePauw University
Executive Team
Bob Cole
CEO & President
Kimberly Woolridge
VP Operations
Joanne Dashiell
Chief Marketing Officer
Jonathan Sparling
VP Strategic Partnerships
Amy Perry
Creative Director