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Take the steps to a SmartChoice plan
Every family’s situation is different. That’s why our SmartChoice pricing lets you choose from three distinct plans, each with multiple price and payment options but all with one thing in common: the earlier you start, the easier it will be to accomplish your student’s educational goals and increase your savings by locking in lower rates.
Contract prices are based on these factors:
- The age or grade level of the student
- The SmartChoice plan option you choose
- The payment option most convenient for you
- The date your application and initial payment are received
Student’s age and grade level
Contract prices are based on the age or grade of the beneficiary. By securing tuition early in a child's
life, the College Illinois! 529 Prepaid Tuition Program is able to conservatively invest for a longer term, thereby growing
the fund longer to pay out tuition benefits.
There are three age/grade categories:
- Newborn through Kindergarten
- First Grade through Eighth Grade
- Ninth Grade and Older
529 PLAN BENEFIT LEVELS
Our three-tier SmartChoice system gives you the flexibility to purchase plans with prices that are based
on tuition and mandatory fees at three diverse types of higher education institutions. Multiple semesters are available
from one up to nine semesters, depending upon the plan.
Choice 3 - University+
This comprehensive plan is a path to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) with benefits that can also apply to
all State of Illinois public universities, as well as institutions of higher learning anywhere in the United States and even at
certain international postsecondary institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as eligible to receive federal
financial aid. Pricing here is determined by the tuition and mandatory fees at UIUC.
Choice 3 combination plan: this eight-semester plan provides for four semesters at a community
college and four semesters at UIUC
Choice 2 - University
This plan covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at every Illinois public university except for UIUC. Because contract prices are based on the Weighted Average Tuition and mandatory fees at all Illinois public universities except for UIUC, it’s a more affordable choice with great versatility. Benefits can also apply to institutions of higher learning anywhere in the United States and even at the international postsecondary institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as eligible to receive federal financial aid, though most likely at a reduced level.
Choice 2 combination plan: this eight-semester plan provides for four semesters at a community college and four semesters at public universities except for UIUC
Choice 1 - Community College
Our most affordable package, this plan choice covers tuition and mandatory fees at community colleges throughout the state of Illinois. And yes – if your student chooses another educational path, your tuition credits can still be applied to tuition and mandatory fees up to the value of the plan you purchased.
In all cases:
If your student enrolls at an Illinois public university or community college covered by their plan choice, 100% of their in-state or in-district tuition and mandatory fees will be paid.
Your child is never "locked" into any particular school – he or she can go to any eligible institution of higher learning anywhere in the United States and even at international postsecondary institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as eligible to receive federal financial aid.
If your child does take a more economical educational route, several great options exist to ensure you still receive the full value of your plan including: a transfer, refund or deferment – especially since benefits are good for a full ten years from the date of expected college enrollment. In short, the program and contracts contain built-in safeguards to ensure that – worst-case scenario – you will not receive anything less than what you put in.
Don’t worry – you can make changes to your plan choice. Your change will be based on the price of the original plan at the time you joined the program and the new selection, plus additional fees and charges to cover investment income the plan did not earn since the contract was purchased.
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