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Future Scholar 529 PalmettoBaby Program

May 29th is National 529 Day

South Carolina’s Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan and State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, who administers the plan, are celebrating 529 Day in a very special way.

This year, all PalmettoBabies born on 5/29/2026 are eligible to receive a privately funded $529 grant when their parents open a new Future Scholar account. The deadline to apply for the 2026 PalmettoBaby Grant Program is 9/1/2026.

Click here to learn about the many benefits of opening a Future Scholar 529 account to save for your baby's education.


How to Apply for a PalmettoBaby Grant

1

Review detailed eligibility rules and guidelines from the State Treasurer’s Office

 

 

2

Open an account online or mail a completed and signed Future Scholar application to the following:

Regular mail:
Future Scholar 529 Plan
PO Box 219812
Kansas City, MO 64121-9812
For overnight:
Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan
801 Pennsylvania Ave STE 219812
Kansas City, MO 64105-1307

 

3

Mail a fully completed and signed Future Scholar 529 grant request form and a copy of your child’s South Carolina birth certificate to:

Mail:
Office of State Treasurer
ATTN: Future Scholar 529 Baby Grant Program
1200 Senate Street, Suite 214
Wade Hampton Office Building
Columbia, SC 29201

 

Resources

Why South Carolina Parents Save with Future Scholar 529 Plans

Here's what some South Carolina parents who've opened Future Scholar accounts have to say about investing in their children's futures:

“Opening a Future Scholar account for our daughter was our way of investing in her future. As parents, we want to give her every opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. It’s one of the most meaningful gifts we could give her.” – The Fincher family

 

“We opened a 529 account for our son so that one day he will have the opportunity to pursue a higher education without bearing the weight of student loan debt” – The Ballard family

 

“We value education and the opportunities that it can offer. As part of our plan to be fiscally responsible, we wanted to begin saving for our son’s college education as soon as possible. The South Carolina Future Scholar Program is an excellent option that will allow us to contribute and invest until the time comes to send him off to school. That way, in 18 years, we will be prepared to give our child the education he deserves.” – The Mahaffey family

 

“We start saving now so that our twin boys can have more opportunities for their education in the future.” – The Page family  

Questions about the grant program?

Contact Us
803.734.2667
palmettobaby@sto.sc.gov

Ready to
get started?

Once you’ve enrolled in Future Scholar, it’s easy to make a contribution. Anyone, including parents, grandparents, or other family and friends, can contribute.

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Contact Us

888.244.5674
Monday - Friday
8am - 7pm (EST)

Future Scholar 529 Plan
PO Box 219812
Kansas City, MO 64121-9812

© 2026 South Carolina Office of State Treasurer
Important Disclosures | Privacy and Security | Terms and Conditions

Not FDIC InsuredNo Bank GuaranteeMay Lose Value
Click to expand full legal disclosure

Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact your financial advisor or visit futurescholar.com for a Direct Plan Program Description, which contains this and other important information about the Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan. Read it carefully before investing. You should also consider, before investing, whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

Tax treatment varies by state. The tax information set forth on this website is general in nature and does not constitute tax advice on the part of Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., its affiliates or the South Carolina Office of State Treasurer. Please contact your tax advisor before making any tax related decisions.

The Direct Plan is sold directly by the Program and is limited to a specific group of investors, as described in the Program Description . You may also participate in the Advisor Plan, which is sold exclusively through financial advisors. The Advisor Plan offers additional investment choices, but the fees and expenses are higher. Please contact your financial advisor for additional information on the Advisor Plan.

The Office of State Treasurer of South Carolina (the State Treasurer) administers the Program and has selected Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (Columbia Management) as Program Manager. Columbia Management and its affiliates are responsible for providing certain administrative, recordkeeping and investment services, and for the marketing of the Program. Columbia Management is not affiliated with the State Treasurer.