Beyond Tuition: Your Complete Guide to 529 Qualified Expenses (30 min)

April 16, 2026

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Disclosures

For more information about the Bright Start Direct-Sold College Savings Program, call 1-877-432-7444 or click here for a Plan Description which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information. Read and consider it carefully before investing.

Please Note: Before you invest, consider whether your or the beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in that state's qualified tuition plan. You should also consult your legal or tax professional for tax advice based on your own circumstances. Investments in the Plan are neither insured (except as provided in the Plan Description solely with respect to the FDIC-insured Bank Savings Underlying Investment) nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss.

If the funds aren't used for qualified higher education expenses, a 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply.

The Bright Start Direct-Sold College Savings Program is offered by the State of Illinois. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI), plan manager. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, distributor for the Bright Start Direct-Sold College Savings Program.

The Plan Web site contains links to other Web sites. Neither the Plan nor TFI and its affiliates are responsible for the content of those other Web sites. The accuracy of information on those sites cannot be confirmed.

All social media platforms are managed by the State of Illinois.

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