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:

• J.P. Morgan Asset Management, “The rising toll of college debt – and how to reduce it.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Tricia Scarlata, Head of Education Savings for J.P. Morgan Asset Management, for creating and sharing this article on your latest insights on the 529 market. Lots of great stats, and I do appreciate the “Coming July 2026” update. Lots to catch up on for 529 stakeholders in this article, and so have a look at the latest by Tricia and J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
• MEFA, “Early College Planning.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Julie Shields-Rutyna of MEFA for creating and sharing your latest webinar presented in partnership with four public libraries. Watch the recording, learn and growth.
• Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage, “New year, new chance to save for their future.” Editor’s Take: 529s continue to expand their set of qualified expenses, and several new updates are now effective in 2026. This articles includes a list of qualified costs in 2026, and so please take a look as a refresher. As we start the new year, it’s a good time to make sure we are all on the same page and so thank you Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage for creating this article. Read, learn, and share, and have the education financial planning conversation today.
• 529 Insiders, “3Q 2025 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of June 30, 2025.

This annual proprietary study by ISS Market Intelligence provides 529 stakeholders that subscribe to the report with actionable guidance on how to increase 529 usage based on a new dedicated survey of over 550 advisors fielded in November 2025. The survey provides advisor insight and perspective into 529 product preferences, marketing magnets, distribution differentiators, legislative levers, operational optimization, fintech functionality, and more. Please contact Paul Curley or your ISS Market Intelligence key account contact to learn more about the report, request the report’s table of contents, and/or to learn how to subscribe to the report.

529 Conference 2026 – Save the Date:

• Dates: September 23–25, 2026
• Location: JW Marriott Nashville
• Information: Please contact Paul Curley if you have any questions about the event such as registration, sponsorships, agenda, format, and more.

Please forward the e-newsletter to others 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.