Sonoma State University

529 Savings Plan Payment

529 Savings Plans are tax-advantaged accounts, typically operated by states or educational institutions, that help families set aside funds for future educational expenses. Parents can reap tax advantages by saving pre-tax funds in a 529 Savings Plan, investing the funds, and using them for qualified educational expenses. The account holder can use the funds to pay all or a portion of a student's student charges/fees at SSU. We recommend that you request funds a month in advance to ensure that our office receives the funds in time to meet registration payment deadlines.

Direct 529 Savings Plan Payments via the Online Student portal

Beginning in the Spring 2023 semester, SSU will begin to accept electronic payments using select 529 Plans. When paying a charge on the MySSU portal (student or payer payment portal) "New 529 savings plan" will be a payment option. Below is a list of 529 Plans that will be accepted.

  • iShares 529 Plan
  • Arkansas Brighter Future Plan
  • Goldman Sachs 529 Plan
  • ScholarShare 529
  • CollegeInvest Direct Portfolio College Savings Plan
  • Scholars Choice 529 Plan
  • DC College Savings Plan
  • Path2College 529 Plan
  • IDeal Idaho College Savings Program
  • CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plan
  • CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan
  • Learning Quest Advisor
  • Learning Quest Education Savings Program
  • KY Saves 529 Plan
  • MI 529 Advisor Plan
  • Michigan Education Savings Program (Direct Plan)
  • Missouri Saving for Tuition
  • Minnesota College Savings Plan
  • North Dakota: College SAVE
  • CollegeAdvantage Direct 529 Savings Plan
  • Oklahoma College Savings Plan
  • CollegeBound 529
  • CollegeBound Saver
  • TNStars College Savings 529 Program
  • Edvest College Savings Plan
  • The Hartford SMART529 College Savings Plan
  • SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan
  • SMART529 Select College Savings Plan

Making Payments With 529 Plans Unavailable for Electronic Payment

529 Plans that are not included in the electronic payment list above are not accepted by our payment processing system. In such cases the account holder should contact their financial adviser or institution to arrange payment to SSU. Payment options vary for each Plan, but common options are shown below for your reference. Note: if your 529 Plan is not compatible with our electronic payment system you are strongly encouraged to begin the payment process with your financial institution a month in advance of a payment deadline.

Most 529 Plans will send a payment directly to SSU via check. Your financial institution should include the following information:

  • Student's first & last name
  • Student's SSU ID number
  • What charges the 529 check is paying

The mailing address to use is as follows:

Sonoma State University
C/O Seawolf Service Center
1801 E Cotati Ave. 
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

To ensure that your 529 payment is received and posted to your student's account in a timely manner we strongly encourage that certified mail is used through private companies such as FEDEx or UPS. If these options are not available it is important that you initiate the payment process at least one month in advance to ensure sufficient time for the payment to be received and processed.

Disclaimer

Sonoma State University does not assist in tax preparation, act as a tax consultant for individuals or entities, provide tax advice, and cannot answer your tax questions. Please consult a tax professional, the IRS, or a financial planner who is proficient with taxation with your tax questions. Each student and/or their parents must determine eligibility for, calculation of, and limitation on the tuition and fees deduction or the education credits (HOPE or Lifetime Learning Credit). While the University has made every effort to use the most current and accurate data, tax laws change frequently, and it is possible that some of the information may no longer be accurate. The University disclaims all liability from the mistreatment of information and materials contained in this document. Please keep in mind that no one from Sonoma State University, while in their official role at the University, can act as a tax consultant, give personal, legal, or tax advice, or represent an individual dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Thus, any assistance the above information may provide is given as a courtesy to you, and as such, should not be construed in any way as the rendering of legal or tax advice.