Why IDeal?
IDeal - Idaho Education Savings Program is Idaho's official 529, tax advantaged savings plan that helps families pay for the cost of education. Every state has a 529 Plan, which is named after section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Enrolling in an IDeal account can be key in helping to reach educational goals, whatever those may be.
IDeal accounts have
Tax-Advantages
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State tax deduction: Individual Idaho taxpayers qualify for a deduction of up to $6,000 ($12,000 for filing jointly) for contributions to an IDeal account.
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Tax-deferred growth: Potential earnings can grow without being reduced by taxes each year, helping your savings compound more efficiently over time.
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Tax-free withdrawals: When you're ready to use your money, funds can be withdrawn tax-free when used for qualified education expenses.
Start small, stick with it—
IDeal makes education more affordable
One of the best savings strategies is, simply, to start. The earlier you save, the more time your money has to potentially grow. This is the power of compounding—when your returns earn more returns and so on. Managing to save even a small contribution each month is a far better plan than borrowing all of what you'll need when the time comes.
College Planning Calculator
IDeal offers flexibility
Education goals can change—and IDeal is designed to change with them. Save, contribute, and use funds in ways that fit your life.
Anyone can open an account—whether you're a parent, grandparent, or loved one who wants to help. Account owners must be 18 or older, but beneficiaries can be any age, and there are no income limits to worry about. Plus, the account owner always stays in control of the funds.
K–12 Education
- Qualified tuition
- Books, testing fees, tutoring
- Educational therapies for students with disabilities
- Use up to $20,000 per student across all 529 plans combined*
Post-Secondary Education
- Eligible public & private colleges/universities (including foreign)
- 2 & 4 year programs, career and technical
- Tuition, fees, room & board, books, supplies
- Computers, software, internet access
- Qualified postsecondary credentialing expenses**
Additional Expenses
- Registered apprenticeships (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
- Student loan repayment (up to $10K lifetime per beneficiary)***
*Expenses for tuition and certain other expenses in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school as determined under applicable state law, not to exceed $20,000 per student per year in the aggregate across all 529 Plans for such student. See the IDeal Program Disclosure for details. Since different states have different tax provisions, if you or your beneficiary, as applicable, are not an Idaho taxpayer, the state(s) where you pay income tax may differ in its state income tax treatment of K-12 expenses. You should consult your own state’s tax laws or your tax advisor for more information on your state’s taxation of withdrawals for K-12 expenses.
**Qualified postsecondary credentialing expenses generally include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required to enroll in or attend a recognized postsecondary credential program, and fees for testing and continuing education if required to obtain or maintain a recognized postsecondary credential. For a program or credential to be considered recognized it must meet certain criteria. Please refer to the IDeal Program Disclosure for information regarding postsecondary credentialing expenses.
***If you make an education loan repayment from your account, you may not also take a federal income tax deduction for any interest included in that education loan repayment.
Contribute your way
Your IDeal account makes it easy to contribute to your account and to stay on track toward your goals. You can easily make one-time contributions or set up recurring contributions.
- Lump sum
- write a check
- electronic transfer
- Recurring contributions*
- payroll direct deposit as low as $15
- from bank account as low as $25
*A plan of regular investment cannot assure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market.
- Other ways to contribute
- rollover from another 529 plan
- rollover from Coverdell education savings account or other similar account
- Ugift®
Many ways to withdraw
When it's time to use your savings
When you are ready to use your savings, IDeal makes it quick and easy to securely withdraw funds. Receive a check, initiate an electronic deposit, or pay participating schools directly through the website or the READYSAVE 529 App.
Learn about withdrawals
Life happens, you have options
Smart moves for every stage
Why Saving Beats Borrowing — Every time
When it comes to paying for education, saving even a little now can make a difference later. Every dollar you save is a dollar you don't have to borrow—and that means less debt, less stress, and more freedom for your student's future.1
Borrowing for education typically comes with interest, which increases the total amount you'll repay over time. But money saved in an IDeal account has the potential to grow, helping you cover more costs without taking on loans. Even small, consistent contributions today can reduce the need for borrowing tomorrow.
Invite family and friends to be part of your savings journey
Ugift® is a free, easy way for friends and family to contribute directly to your IDeal account, helping you grow education savings together. Thousands of families use Ugift to turn gift-giving into lasting impact—replacing toys or clothes with meaningful contributions toward education. READYSAVE™ 529 app users can even text their Ugift code to make inviting contributions quick and simple.
Get your codeUgift is a registered service mark.
Boost your education savings with Upromise®
Upromise® is a free service that helps families save for education. Upromise provides unique opportunities for members to earn cash back for everyday activities such as shopping, dining, paying and more. Rewards are automatically deposited as contributions to your IDeal account when you reach $50 in rewards.
Learn more about UpromiseResources
