529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The goal of the 529 Dash e-newsletter is to help institutions, financial professionals, employers, and families in the education financial planning process by creating and sharing industry relevant news, product training, market data and best practices, while also building awareness and understanding of the importance of 529 plans and ABLE accounts.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Executive Director
ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com

Here is what you need to know from stories, research, and data released this week:

• ScholarShare529 College Countdown, “Minimizing stress in the homestretch” by Patricia Roberts, J.D. Editor’s Take: Thank you Patricia Roberts for creating and sharing seven steps to help families to emotionally prepare and thrive in the pivot from high school to the next stage in their lifelong learning process. Read this article and more as the portal has more articles for parents on this topic. As such, visit the site, bookmark this resource, and share.
• Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage, “America Saves Week: Small steps for big impact.” Editor’s Take: In celebration of 2026 America Saves Week, Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage shares the daily schedule for the week with background of this important week. Have a look at the daily schedule to see if you have gaps in your planning strategy, learn more about how your family can add 529 gifting throughout the year here, and enter The College Savings Ace sweepstakes with the Columbus Fury here. Have the education financial planning conversation today.
• Credible, “Americans are largely unprepared for 2026 Federal student loans overhaul, Credible survey finds.” Editor’s Take: Review the article to see the list of changes to student loans going into effect July 1, 2026. In short, the changes to student loans increase the importance of creating and executing a financial plan to save, pay and repay the cost of education and career training. Have the 529 discussion today.
• 529 Insiders, “4Q 2025 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: 529s continue to grow from an assets, accounts and gross sales perspective as expanding qualified expenses reach a broadening target market which fuels the implementation of ease-of-use enhancements with its greater scale which generates the next cycles of growth momentum. Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of December 31, 2025.

• Date: May 29, 2026
• Time: 12pm-1pm EST
• Register: Here
• Title: 529 Day 2026: Top Trends in 529 Plans
• Description:

Hosted by Paul Curley, CFA, Executive Director at ISS Market Intelligence, and Trisha Good, Executive Director of Ohio’s 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage, ISS MI’s 529 webinar celebrates 30 years of 529s and builds awareness and understanding of 529s through:

• • 529 reminders, tips and best practices
  • New themes and updates on education financial planning for families
  • Key developments impacting the 529 landscape in 2026 
  • 529 market sizing, trends and insights in 2026
  • New industry intelligence from ISS MI’s annual surveys of parents, advisors, and employers
  • 529 & ABLE industry announcements and product enhancements

Whether you’re supporting families (including your own), working with employee benefit solutions, advising clients, or shaping the industry, this webinar provides practical product training, actionable best practices, and data‑driven insight into where the 529 market has been—and where it’s heading next.

• Dates: September 23–25, 2026
• Location: JW Marriott Nashville
• Hotel Room: Book in room block here
• Event Website: Link
• Registration: Now open here
• Event Updates: 
  • Mark Chapleau, Esq., Founding Member, Chapleau Law Group LLC, has been confirmed as presenter of the “Federal Regulatory & Tax Framework” 529 Essentials Seminar session.
  • Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group, has been confirmed as presenter, teacher and trainer of the “Plan Governance & Administration Best Practices” 529 Essentials Seminar session and moderator of the “State’s Perspective on Industry Trends and Building Momentum” 529 Conference session.
  • Derek Ashworth, Director, FINRA, has been confirmed as presenter, teacher and trainer of the “Municipal Rulemaking & Advertising Regulation Overview” 529 Essentials Seminar session.
  • Thank you Vestwell for your support of the event as Conference Mobile App & Meeting Room Wifi
  • Thank you Pacific Life for your support of the event as a Networking Refreshment Break Sponsor
  • Thank you Flywire for your support of the event as Wednesday’s Breakfast Sponsor

Please forward the e-newsletter to a friend to subscribe using the link here, or click “reply” anytime to connect or share feedback, thoughts, and ideas on the newsletter or industry trends. Cheers to creating a great day.