The total value of the 529 Plan (i.e., prepaid tuition plans, college savings plans and Coverdell education savings accounts) is considered an
investment asset of the owner of the account (not the beneficiary because the owner can change the beneficiary at any time)
except when the owner is a dependent student, in which case it is considered an
investment asset of the parent(s).
When the owner is a dependent student, the total value of the 529 Plan is reported as an
investment asset of the parent(s) on the FAFSA.
When the owner is some other person (including the non-FAFSA parent or grandparent), only the annual distributions from the plan should be reported on the FAFSA on question 45j "Money received, or paid on your behalf (e.g. bills), not reported elsewhere on the FAFSA."
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