California 529 College Savings Plan | ScholarShare 529 Skip to the main content > Accessibility Statement > Turn Animations Off: * * Workplace 529 * News * Español * Search * * Log in Search: Submit Log in * Why ScholarShare 529 * * Benefits of Our 529 * A Plan for Everyone * About Us * Learn and Plan * * How Our 529 Works * Compare Ways to Save * The Cost of College * Investment Options * * Compare Investment Options * Enrollment Year Investment Portfolios * Risk-Based Portfolios * Guaranteed Portfolio Option * Daily Price & Performance * Fees & Expenses * Resources * * Popular Resources * Report on Higher Ed * Planning Tools * FAQs * Gifting * Events & Webinars * Glossary * Children's Savings Accounts * Schedule an Appointment * Account Center * * How-tos * Forms * Open An Account * Workplace 529 * News * Español ScholarShare 529 The California way to save for college A flexible and tax-advantaged savings plan for your child's higher education How our 529 Works A personal message from Fiona Ma, CPA, Treasurer of the State of California Why ScholarShare 529? We offer a wide range of benefits to meet your college savings needs— whatever they are and whenever they happen. Explore Benefits Unique tax advantages 529 tax benefits for California savers, with 100% tax-free earnings on qualified withdrawals. Flexible 529 savings can be used for a wide range of higher education expenses and programs, in California and around the world. 1 Range of investment options Investment portfolios to fit your life situation, risk tolerance and savings goals. Low fees and expenses Less than half the average expenses of the other 529 plans, which means more money for college. 2 ScholarShare 529 A history of helping families meet their college savings goals Established history Helping California families save for college since 1999. Trusted by thousands Managing more than $20.97 billion in assets for over 509,000 accounts as of 6/30/26. 3 529 Savings Leader More than 50,000 student accounts are added every year. It takes only 15 minutes to start saving for college 1 Step 1 Learn and explore Find out how the plan works, including its benefits and tax advantages, and how funds can be used. How our 529 plan works 2 Step 2 Pick a portfolio Choose investment options that fit your needs and goals. Investment options 3 Step 3 Start saving Open your ScholarShare 529 account today and begin contributing to your child's future. Open an Account More to explore * Apprenticeships and 529 Plans: More Ways to Pay for Education Learn More * 7 Tips for Parents of First-Generation Students from a Student Success Coach Learn More Schedule an appointment? Schedule a free consultation in English or Spanish with a ScholarShare 529 college savings specialist. Book a Consultation * Enjoy more benefits with a ScholarShare 529 * Weekly market commentary Insight and analysis on today's financial markets. Read the reports * Report on Higher Education How income, education, and race shape opportunity in California. Read the report * College Countdown Our website is for parents with high school juniors and seniors. Make the final push Want more time before getting started? Sign up to receive ScholarShare 529 information and college savings tips. Enter your email address (required) Submit Why ScholarShare 529 * Benefits of Our 529 * A Plan for Everyone * About Us Learn & Plan * How Our 529 Works * Compare Ways to Save * The Cost of College Investment Options * Compare Investment Options * Enrollment Year * Risk-Based * Guaranteed * Daily Price & Performance * Fees & Expenses Resources * Popular Resources * Report on Higher Ed * Planning Tools * FAQs * Gifting * Events & Webinars * Glossary * Children's Savings Accounts * Schedule an Appointment Account Center * How-tos * Forms * Open An Account Need Help? Call 1-800-544-5248 * Contact Us Follow Us * * * * * Access your account on–the–go with the ReadySave ™ 529 App * Managed by TIAA–CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) * Privacy Policy * Accessibility Statement * Sitemap * Security Center * Plan Description * Unsubscribe Disclosures Footnotes * 1 If the funds aren't used for qualified higher education expenses, a federal 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Non-qualified withdrawals may also be subject to an additional 2.5% California tax on earnings. ↩ * 2 Source: ISS Market Intelligence 529 College Savings Fee Analysis Q2 2026. ScholarShare 529's average annual asset-based fees are 0.21% for all portfolios compared to 0.46% for all 529 plans. ↩ * 3 Based on statistics provided as of 06/30/26. ↩ For more information about the ScholarShare College Savings Plan, call 1-800-544-5248 or click here for a Plan Description , which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information. Read and consider it carefully before investing. Please note: Before you invest, consider whether your or the 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 that state's qualified tuition program. You should also consult your legal or tax professional for tax advice based on your own circumstances. Investments in the plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss. If the funds aren't used for qualified higher education expenses, a federal 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Non-qualified withdrawals may also be subject to an additional 2.5% California tax on earnings. The ScholarShare College Savings Plan is offered by the State of California. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI), program manager. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, distributor and underwriter for the ScholarShare College Savings Plan. The Plan website contains links to other websites. Neither the Plan nor TFI and its affiliates are responsible for the content of those other websites. The accuracy of information on those sites cannot be confirmed. All social media platforms are managed by the State of California. 5780788 Close Need help finding something? Type in the search bar below. Search: Submit Back To Top