ASSOCIATION ADVOCACY
529 Career Savings Account
Public Gardens leading in Talent Development
529 Funds Can Be Used for Career Credentials
529 savings accounts can now be used to pay for post-high school credential programs not offered by traditional college or universities. These provisions are particularly valuable for adult learners who want to use their 529 funds for real-world skills, licenses and certifications that can potentially help them grow in their careers or switch to new fields.
- Tuition, books and required fees for credential programs
- Testing fees to earn or maintain a certification or license
- Continuing education costs needed to renew a credential
Why 529 Plan Eligibility for Credentials Matters
This gives public gardens with apprenticeship and public horticulture programs new positioning power. Being able to say your program qualifies for 529 funding puts it on par with traditional higher education pathways, a significant validation of the role public garden training and credentialing programs play in career development
Program Qualifications
To Qualify the program must lead to a recognized credential, such as those accredited by
Or Registered with your State’s Apprenticeship Program (search for your state’s Apprenticeship & Training Office)
- Establish Apprenticeship Standards: Develop your program’s standards, including on-the-job training and Related Technical Instruction (RTI).
- Use the Standards Builder: Visit Apprenticeship.gov and use the standards builder tool, which guides you through creating compliant apprenticeship standards.
- Submit for Approval: Submit the completed standards for approval by a Department of Labor Apprenticeship and Training Representative (ATR).
- Verify in RAPIDS: Once approved, verify the program in the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Data System (RAPIDS).
