SMART529
West Virginia's College Savings Plan

Thanks to Treasurer John Perdue’s commitment to providing access to education for every West Virginian, more than 100,000 future students nationwide have taken advantage of the SMART529 college savings plan. The SMART529 college savings plan provides an opportunity for every citizen to invest in the future – at every stage of life.

The plan provides an opportunity for all West Virginians to save for their education goals. To this end, the SMART529 college savings plan, administered by The Hartford, is not limited to universities, but also may be used to finance higher education at vocational and technical schools, culinary schools, worker retraining classes, community colleges and many others. SMART529 savings can also be used for other approved educational expenses.

John Perdue places a high premium on education. Since 1997, Perdue has focused on ensuring that every West Virginian can pursue higher education at a price he or she can afford. For more than a decade, Perdue has developed strong partnerships to help West Virginians pay for higher education. During that time he has also created incentives to encourage a commitment to education savings throughout the Mountain State. One such benefit allows you to reduce Federal Adjusted Gross Income by the amount contributed to your SMART529 plan when calculating state taxes. Another is the Bright Babies program where you can receive $100 toward college savings when a new account is opened by your child’s first birthday or gotcha day anniversary.

Start saving for the future – enroll in a SMART529 college-savings plan!

Board Meetings

Meeting dates are determined, set and subject to change by the Board. For more information, click here to visit the Secretary of State Administrative Law Meeting Notices. For agendas, please contact the SMART529 group.

Important information regarding SMART529
Recent changes to federal tax law allow for SMART529 accounts to be used to pay tuition and expenses for children enrolled in K-12 private and religious schools.

MORE INFORMATION

  • Families with children enrolled in grades K – 12 at private and religious schools are eligible.
  • SMART529 accounts can pay for up to $10,000 annually of private and religious school expenses.
  • K – 12 SMART529 distributions can be made from existing or newly opened accounts.
  • Qualified K – 12 SMART529 distributions are tax exempt at the federal level.
  • Requesting a SMART529 K – 12 disbursement is easy – CLICK HERE for a distribution form.

SMART5.29K Run/Walk

See the benefits of our annual race here.

 

SMART529 Board

Members of the Board

Ex Officio Members:
Chairman - WV State Treasurer, John D. Perdue
Department of Education, Dr. Steven Paine
WV Higher Education Policy Commission Colleges & Universities, Brian Weingart
New River Community and Technical College, Bonny Ball Copenhaver, Ed. D. President

Appointed Members:
Private institutions of higher education (2) - Terri Rader and Dr. Daniel Anderson
Private Citizen (2) - Robert Galloway and Phyllis Arnold

 

 

 

Contact Information

You may contact the Board of Trustees by writing to:

John D. Perdue, Chairman
WV Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Board of Trustees
State Treasurer's Office
1900 Kanawha Blvd. E.
Charleston, WV 25305

The Treasury does not collect state taxes. Visit the The West Virginia State Tax Department for assistance.

West Virginia State Treasurer's Office
1900 Kanawha Boulevard
Capitol Complex Building #1, Room E-145
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
304-558-5000 Toll Free: 800-422-7498

Copyright 2024 by West Virginia State Treasurer's Office