Ohio 529: Not Just a College Fund Anymore

Jill Rindfuss of Ohio 529 surprised many attendees with just how far 529 plans have expanded beyond the traditional four-year college experience.

Eligible uses may extend from K–12 education to trade schools, apprenticeships, professional certifications and graduate study. Depending on the circumstances, funds may help cover computers, books, off-campus rent and groceries—and even specialized equipment such as culinary knives or cosmetology supplies.

Jill brought those possibilities to life with personal stories. Instead of continuing to send her great-nieces Starbucks gift cards for birthdays and holidays, she began contributing to 529 accounts for their futures. She also described a man in his 90s who created what he called a family “legacy account,” changing the beneficiary whenever someone in the family needed help pursuing education or career training.

The plans also offer flexibility when life takes an unexpected turn. Jill shared that she once transferred one son’s unused funds to his siblings—only to have him later decide to return to school. Fortunately, a new account could be started for him. Unused funds may also be reassigned to another eligible family member, preserved for a future generation or, under qualifying conditions, rolled into a Roth IRA.

Her message was clear: today’s 529 plan can be much more than a college fund. It can become a flexible, multigenerational resource for education, skills and opportunity.