Nebraska 529 Plan Rules And College Savings Options
Nebraska has a 529 plan called Nebraska Education Savings Trust (NEST) that can help you save for college. Nebraska also has a 529 Able Plan as well.
If you live in Nebraska, these might be good options for you to save for college.
These programs are designed to help make college more affordable - so that you can get the education you need. By saving for college early on, you can make paying for college easier down the road.
If you're not quite sure how 529 plans work, check out this starter guide to What Is a 529 Plan?
There is also a specific order of operations to save for college that we recommend families follow. These programs are specific to the State of Nebraska. Each state has different rules when it comes to 529 plan savings. Here are the Nebraska 529 plan rules.
Average Cost Of College In Nebraska
When saving for college in Nebraska, it's important to take into consideration the cost of attendance in the state. If you choose to go to an out-of-state school, you need to look at the average cost of attendance in that state.
There are 38 colleges and universities in the State of Nebraska.
The total average cost of college (Cost of Attendance) in Nebraska for in-state residents is $16,508 for 2023. This includes tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and other expenses.
For just tuition alone, the average undergraduate tuition for in-state residents is $6,185 for 2023. The cost of tuition in Nebraska has been slowly rising at about 1-2% per year.
See how this compares to the average cost of college here. Keep in mind the average student loan debt by graduating class here.
Explore the data here.
Nebraska 529 Plan Rules And Tax Information
Tax savings is one of the big benefits of using a 529 plan to save for college. On a federal-level, there is no tax savings for contributions, but qualified distributions are tax-free.
Here are the special tax benefits and considerations for using a 529 plan in Nebraska.
Contributions
Nebraska offers a state tax deduction for contributions to a 529 plan of up to $10,000 for single filers and $10,000 for married filing jointly tax filers, and $5,000 for married taxpayers filing separate returns.
Minimum: There is no minimum contribution.
Maximum: Accepts contributions until all account balances for the same beneficiary reach $500,000.
Bonus Contributions: Eligible Nebraska babies will get a $50 seed contribution to the NEST savings account.
Rollovers
Rollovers into the state plan are considered for the tax deduction up to the limits specified above.
Outbound rollovers are subject to recapture of prior Nebraska tax deductions.
Qualified Distributions
Qualified distributions from a Nebraska and non-Nebraska 529 plan are tax-free.
K-12 Education
Nebraska does not conform with Federal law in regard to using a 529 plan for K-12 tuition. See this guide: Using a 529 Plan For Elementary and High School Private Education.
Student Loans
Nebraska does conform with Federal law for using a 529 plan for student loans.
Rollover To Roth IRA
Nebraska does allow the rollover to a Roth IRA up to $35,000. Learn more about the 529 plan to Roth IRA rollover here.
Non-Qualified Distributions Taxes, Penalties, Recapture
A non-qualified withdrawal from a Nebraska 529 plan is subject to taxes on the principal and earnings up to the amount required to recapture prior year tax deductions.
Nebraska 529 College Savings Plan Options
Nebraska has several 529 plan options - two consumer plans and two plans that are sold by financial advisors (we're big advocates of doing-it-yourself, you don't need to pay a financial advisor for this).
Nebraska Education Savings Trust (NEST)
The Nebraska Education Savings Trust (NEST) is the name of Nebraska's 529 Plan. This plan offers a variety of investment options, including age-based portfolios that become more conservative as the child approaches college, and static investment fund options.
The funds offered include Vanguard,T. Rowe Price, State Street, and more.
Fees:
There is a program management fee of 0.10% (0.08% for the manager, and 0.02% for the state).
The underlying funds all charge expense ratios from 0.04% to 0.56% depending on the investment option.
Who Should Use It:
We recommend that Nebraska residents use the NEST 529 plan due to the tax benefits, low fees, and plan investment options.
We recommend that out-of-state residents utilize other plans.
Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan
The Bloomwell 529 Plan is a savings plan administered by the Nebraska State Treasurer - it was a rebrand of a previous plan (which happened in 2021).
This plan offers age-based investments and static investments, with funds from Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, DFA, and more.
Fees:
There is a program management fee of 0.14% (0.12% for the plan manager, and 0.02% for the state).
The underlying funds all charge expense ratios from 0.02% to 0.56% depending on the investment option.
Who Should Use It:
We recommend that Nebraska residents consider the Bloomwell 529 plan due to the tax benefits, low fees, and plan investment options.
We recommend that out-of-state residents utilize other plans.
Nebraska 529 Able Plan Options
529A Able accounts are accounts designed to help those with disabilities escape poverty and save for themselves. Learn more about 529A Able Plans here.
Enable Savings Plan
The Enable Savings Plan is a 529A plan open to all residents in Nebraska.
This plan allows contributions of up to $18,000 per year from all sources.
It does have a minimum initial contribution amount of $50 per account, which can be waived with automatic deposits. The minimum subsequent contribution amount is $25 (which can also be waived with automatic deposits).
The plan does have an account maintenance fee of $45 annually, assessed at $11.25 per quarter. It also has a program management fee of 0.50%.
You can open an Enable Savings Plan here.
Other Programs To Save For College
A 529 plan is one way to save for college. Remember, we have a full guide on our approach to college savings here - and it helps you find other options.
If you're looking for ways to boost your college savings, check this out:
Backer
Backer is one of our favorite ways to save for college because they make gifting for college so easy. You can setup an account, link your 529 plan (in most states), and get a unique URL that you can share with friends and family to save for your children's college.
Plus, they have Backer Bucks, which allow you to earn rewards and rebates for the shopping you already do - directly deposited into your children's 529 plan.
Upromise
Upromise is another awesome tool to help you save for college because they have a lot of ways that you can earn money for your 529 plan. You can get rebates and rewards, and you can get cash back into your child's 529 plan by using the Upromise credit card.
Nebraska Financial Aid
Using a 529 plan isn't the only way to save money for college. Each state typically offers a variety of financial aid programs for their residents. These include scholarships and grants, and sometimes unique forgivable student loan opportunities.
Check out the list of Nebraska Student Loan and Financial Aid Programs.
Return to the full list of 529 Plans By State.
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Mark Kantrowitz
