529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The 529 Dash e‑newsletter helps institutions, financial professionals, employers, and families navigate education financial planning by sharing timely industry news, product insights, market data, and best practices while promoting awareness 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:

• Catalis, “Catalis and Creative Planning launch strategic partnership to modernize the 529 savings experience.” Editor’s Take: Catalis and Creative Planning announced the modernization and relaunch of the Mississippi Affordable College Savings (MACS) Plan, with Creative Planning serving as the plan’s new investment manager and Catalis providing an enhanced 529 administration platform. The updated program includes a 20% fee reduction, new enrollment-year and risk-based investment portfolios, an enhanced investment selection tool, and an open-architecture investment approach designed to expand choice and improve value for account owners. In addition, Catalis introduced new digital wallet gifting capabilities through PayPal and Venmo, including cryptocurrency contributions, as well as Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards that make it easier for students and families to pay for qualified education expenses such as textbooks and other eligible costs.
• The College Investor, “50% of parents now use 529 plans, but 71% still expect to borrow for college.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Robert Farrington for covering CSF’s release of its 20th Annual State of Higher Education Savings survey which highlights a number of key trends in how families plan, save and pay for education and career training. Also, thank you Steve Rosen for covering the survey as well in your article here. Read, learn and grow.
• Best Money, “The Hidden Nearly $700-a-Month Cost of College.” Editor’s Take: The cost of college goes beyond the tuition bill, and the article provides tips for funding the gap and more from Patricia Roberts of Gift of College. Sidebar, did you see that Gift of College At-Work launched a New Baby Program and three other programs for employers and organizations? If not, check it out. Read, compare strategies, and execute.
• 529 Insiders, “2Q 2026 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: Over 18 million 529 accounts and over a quarter of a million ABLE accounts were open and funded as of June 30, 2026. Learn more about the current 529 and ABLE market sizing, market data trends and more by clicking the article, reading, and sharing today.

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