A day to celebrate - and learn about - 529s

THERE IS A lot you need to know about your finances.

So, I'm giving you a pass if you don't know what a 529 plan is. And many of you don't, according to a recent survey by Edward Jones Investments.

For the last four years, the financial-services company has been surveying adults, gauging their awareness of 529 plans. The share of people who could correctly identify the college-savings vehicle was a mere 34 percent.

If you don't know what a 529 plan is or how it works, it's unlikely you know that there's a day to celebrate the tax-advantaged savings vehicle. It's today, May 29 - picked to match the plan's name.

I like to tell folks not to feel remorse if they falter financially. But when you know better, you can do better. This is one of those times. Don't just worry about how to pay for college; learn about one way to save for it. That's why I'm a fan of 529 plans.

Let's start with the basics. Here are some questions I often get about the college-savings accounts:

Q: How does a 529 plan work?

A: You can put money into a 529 plan two ways. In some states, a prepaid-tuition plan lets you pay for tuition at a state school in advance. The idea is that you get tomorrow's tuition at today's prices.

But be careful that you don't neglect to also save for room and board and other education expenses not covered in a prepaid-tuition contract.

The second type of 529 is the more-popular plan that allows you to invest in a tax-deferred account. This one operates much like a 401(k). You select how you want the money invested. For my three children, my husband and I chose "age-based" investment options, which means the younger the child, the more aggressive the investment options may be. As your child grows older, the money is gradually moved to more-conservative investments.

Q: What's the best thing about 529 plans?

A: Money withdrawn from a 529 account is free from federal tax (and, in most cases, free from state and local taxes) when used for qualifying college costs. Additionally, many states offer tax deductions for residents who make contributions to a 529 plan.

Q: If I invest in my state's 529 plan, is my child limited to going to an in-state college?

A: This is a common misconception. Money invested in these college-savings accounts can be used for qualified expenses at any public or private institution, regardless of where you set up the account or where the beneficiary ultimately attends school. And although the plans are state-sponsored, you can invest in any state's plan regardless of where you or the beneficiary lives. Let's say you're a grandparent living in Florida. You can open a plan for your grandchild in Virginia if you like that plan. But the child may end up going to college in New York and still be able to use the money in the account.

But be aware that with prepaid tuition plans, if your child chooses an out-of-state school, you may have to make up any difference in tuition prices, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators points out.

I'm sure you have more questions. Here are some ways to get answers:

* My go-to site for all things 529 is savingforcollege.com. Today, May 29, the site will host a live discussion during which experts will answer your questions starting at 1 p.m. To register, search for "529 Day Celebration." Participants are automatically entered to win some prize money.

* Many states are promoting 529 day by holding contests. Some of the sweepstakes-prize money is pretty substantial. In Georgia there's a newborn prize of $5,529 and one for $5,290 in Iowa. You can find out what prize promotions may be in your state by going to savingforcollege.com. Search for "529 Day - The Definitive Guide." Some contest deadlines run past today. The College Savings Plans Network has also compiled state contests and other events at collegesavings.org. Click the link for "What's Your State Doing On 5.29?"

Of course, the contests are the lure to get you to learn about the savings tool. Even if you don't win any money, you'll come away with some valuable information.