• Anyone - parents, grandparents, other relatives, friends, even certain organizations can save toward someone's college education.
• You can open an Account for a person of any age, even a newborn. You can even open an Account for yourself.

• Save on the schedule that works best for you. Monthly or occasional contributions welcome.
• Low minimum opening contribution required.

• Select from a variety of investment options that cover a range of strategies, from conservative to aggressive.
• Choose a mix to meet your own investment objectives, time remaining until college, and tolerance for risk.
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows you to change your current investment mix once each calendar year or if the Beneficiary of your savings Account changes. However, for 2009 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a notice establishing a special rule which allows Participants to reallocate assets in 529 Program accounts twice in 2009. This special rule is only for calendar year 2009 and is not a permanent change. It will allow Participants to adjust their asset allocations in response to turmoil in the stock market. You may change how your future Contributions will be invested at any time.

A review of the Investment Options will help you understand the relative risk normally associated with each investment alternative. More complete descriptions of the investment philosophies are available in the Program Description.

• NC taxpayers may qualify for a tax deduction for contributions to NC's 529 Plan. Deduction Details
• Account earnings grow tax-free. There are no federal taxes and, for North Carolina taxpayers, no state taxes on earnings either.
• Withdrawals used for Qualified Higher Education Expenses are exempt from both NC and federal income taxes.
• Residents of states other than North Carolina should check with a tax advisor.
• The features of a qualified tuition program are complex and involve significant tax issues. The earnings portion of withdrawals not used for Qualified Higher Education Expenses are subjected to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

• Use for college expenses at virtually any college anywhere.
• Use for Qualified Higher Education Expenses, which include tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies and equipment required for enrollment.
• If there are assets left in your Account when the Beneficiary has completed college, you can designate a new related Beneficiary of the Account.