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:

• Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage, “February is career and technical education (CTE) month.” Editor’s Take: 529 qualified expenses have broadened in recent years, and thank you Ohio Tuition Trust Authority for this article highlighting CTE month and providing an overview of 529s for trade, technical, and vocational schools, credential programs, apprenticeships and more. Read, learn and growth from this educational article. 
• Fidelity Investments, “Family conversations about college.” Editor’s Take: This article provides topics of conversation for parents and families of middle-schoolers and high schoolers. Click the link to learn more and get the ideas flowing.
• MEFA, “MEFA announces transition of U.Plan prepaid tuition program to new online platform powered by Catalis.” Editor’s Take: Congrats to MEFA and Catalis on the new platform for U.Plan which will improve user experience, allow for contributions via PayPal and Venmo, allow automatic contributions from employers, and more. Click the link to read the complete list of enhancements now available to families.
• Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), “Real GDP growth by state: Third quarter 2025.” Editor’s Take: Interesting article for 529 stakeholders, and so have a look at state level GDP in 2025 Q3.
• 529 Insiders, “4Q 2025 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of December 31, 2025.
• MEFA Podcast, “Busting 529 College Savings Plan Myths.” Editor’s Take: Thank you MEFA and Jonathan Hughes for raising awareness, understanding and prioritization of 529 plans and education financial planning, and thank you for including ISS Market Intelligence in the podcast. Watch, learn and share, and cheers to creating a great day!
• ISS Market Intelligence, “529 & ABLE.” Editor’s Take: Thank you ISS Market Intelligence marketing team for creating this page for 529 & ABLE Solutions, where proprietary data meets strategic insight – empowering 529 and ABLE stakeholders with unmatched market intelligence. Click the link to learn more.

529 Conference 2026:

• Dates: September 23–25, 2026
• Location: JW Marriott Nashville
• Website: Link
• Registration: Register here
• Hotel Room Block: Book in event room block; Link to get released shortly
• Agenda: 
  • September 22: Welcome Reception
  • September 23: Day 1 – 529 Essentials Seminar
  • September 24: Day 2 – 529 Conference panels, presentations & roundtables
  • September 25: Day 3 – 529 Conference half day of panels, presentations & roundtables
• Information: Please contact Paul Curley if you have any questions about the event such as registration, sponsorships, agenda, format, and more.
• Event Updates: 
  • Thank you Capital Group for sponsoring Thursday’s lunch
  • Website has been refreshed with 2026 information, design and banners
  • Sponsorship guide is now available upon request
  • Registration now available via order form upon request and online here

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.