The Most Wonderful Holiday Gift: A Future Scholar 529 Contribution

Key Takeaways:

·       A Future Scholar 529 contribution is a meaningful holiday gift that can never be outgrown. Anyone can contribute, with no minimum amount required to get started.

·       Future Scholar 529 account earnings grow tax free, and 100% of contributions can be deducted on South Carolina state income tax returns.

·       Future Scholar account owners can set up a gifting page in less than five minutes and share the link so family and friends can securely contribute to an account.

The “most wonderful time of the year” is fast approaching. As we welcome the season that brings loads of joy and heaps of hope for the new year, nothing embodies that wondrous sense of joy and hope more than a child.

If a special child is on your gift list this season, consider thinking outside of the usual holiday gift box. This year, choose a meaningful present that can’t ever be broken or outgrown – an investment in a child’s education through South Carolina’s Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close friend, a contribution to a Future Scholar 529 account should be on your holiday gift list. It’s the smart way to invest money to help fund a child’s education because all account earnings grow tax free.

And Future Scholar funds can be used for tuition, fees, computers, housing, food and other qualified education expenses at countless schools across the country and the world. With Future Scholar, your child can choose from a wide range of educational paths, whether it’s a university, a community college, a technical college, a vocational school, a trade school or graduate school. It can even be used to pay for eligible K-12 education expenses.  Anyone can open or contribute to an account, and there’s no minimum amount required to get started.

Already have an account? Congratulations! You’ve made the smart choice to save with Future Scholar. The holiday season is the perfect time to boost your savings. In 2025, Future Scholar account owners saved over $17 million through generous gifts from loved ones. Here are a few tips to give and receive the gift of a bright future with a 529 plan contribution.

An easy holiday gift that gives back

Make it easy for family members and close friends to contribute to your child’s Future Scholar account. Set up your gifting page in five minutes or less. When family and friends ask what your children want for Christmas, simply share the link. Let loved ones know that the electronic link allows them to securely contribute to your child’s account. As an account owner, you will be able to see everyone who has given and properly thank them for contributing to your child’s future dreams. Be sure to let contributors know that 100% of their Future Scholar 529 contributions can be deducted on South Carolina state income tax returns. They’ll love that Future Scholar is the gift that gives back!

Holiday gifts that are merry and meaningful

While the adults in their lives may want to give something financially meaningful, most older children want to open something tangible on Christmas morning. Consider giving a smaller physical present along with your Future Scholar contribution. While a child will enjoy the tangible gift now, it won’t be long before they will understand just how important and lasting your gift to their Future Scholar 529 account is.

And if the child is a baby, your timing is perfect! Since the child’s funds have the benefit of being invested for many years, they have greater potential for growth. And even though babies are too young to understand presents, you can be confident your gift will be a beautiful blessing to them years down the road.

A gift to learn from: how a Future Scholar 529 plan works

When you give an older child a Future Scholar 529 plan contribution, be sure to use the opportunity to explain how a 529 account works. Once the ribbons and wrappings have been cleared away and the holidays are over, you can expose your child to foundational financial concepts such as saving, compounding growth, long-term investing and delayed gratification. Check in on your account to track progress over time and mark your successes together. While you’re at it, you can explain how taxes work and how your Future Scholar 529 account is a tax-saver.

Tell your child that by saving with Future Scholar, your earnings are growing tax-free so that you pay nothing when you withdraw the funds to pay for qualified education expenses.  And be sure to add that as a South Carolina taxpayer, contributions you make to your Future Scholar 529 account are deductible on your state income tax returns.

The holiday gift that keeps on giving

The gift of education is a forever gift that keeps on giving throughout the recipient’s life. That’s why a 529 contribution to a Future Scholar account makes the most wonderful gift at the most wonderful time of the year. Before you know it, the important child in your life will be using your gift to pursue their dreams.