Getting Started with Ohio's Plan

If you are comfortable selecting investment options and managing your own account, the CollegeAdvantage Direct plan may be right for you.


The CollegeAdvantage Direct plan is offered and administered by the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority, a state agency since 1989. CollegeAdvantage Direct was named one of the Top Five 529 plans in the country by Morningstar (April 2009). The direct plan offers many benefits that make saving for college easy and affordable:

 
  • Deduct contributions from Ohio income tax ($2,000 annually).
  • Use your funds at any college in the country.
  • Contribute as little as $25 at a time.
  • Benefit from professional money management by leading financial firms:
      -The Vanguard Group
    -PIMCO
    -OppenheimerFunds
    -GE Asset Management

    •  

  • Save with FDIC-insured bank products (savings accounts and CDs) from Fifth Third Bank.
  • Pay no enrollment fee, no maintenance fee and low administrative fees.
  • Contribute easily online, through payroll deduction, by check, or save systematically from your bank account.

    • You can learn more about this plan by visiting the CollegeAdvantage Direct Web site.


    Go to Direct Plan Site   Enroll in the Direct Plan

     

     

    If you are not an Ohio taxpayer, before you invest, consider whether your home state offers a 529 plan that provides its taxpayers with state tax or other benefits not available through this plan.

    CollegeAdvantage is a 529 college savings plan offered and administered by the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority (OTTA). OTTA has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Direct program, including record-keeping and transfer agency services.

    CollegeAdvantage Direct is described in the current Offering Statement and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before opening an account.

    OTTA also sponsors and provides oversight of the CollegeAdvantage Advisor plans offered by BlackRock and Putnam Investments. The BlackRock CollegeAdvantage advisor plan is described in the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage Offering Statement and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before opening an account. The Putnam CollegeAdvantage advisor plan is described in the Putnam CollegeAdvantage Offering Statement and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before opening an account.

    Any investment in a CollegeAdvantage mutual fund-based investment option is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency or other party, including the state of Ohio, OTTA or any of the mutual fund firms under contract with OTTA. Any investment in a Fifth Third investment option, however, is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), up to the limits set by the FDIC. An investment in a CollegeAdvantage mutual fund investment option is not a direct investment in a mutual fund itself. Except for the Fifth Third investment options, participants assume all investment risk of an investment in CollegeAdvantage, including the potential loss of principal. Regular investing does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. The amount actually available for withdrawal will depend on the investment performance of the investment options chosen.

    © 2009, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. The OTTA silhouette logo, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority and CollegeAdvantage are registered trademarks of the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. If you have questions, please call us at 1-800-AFFORD-IT (233-6734) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.