529 Plan FAQs

A 529 Plan is a qualified tuition program (QTP), or tax-advantaged college savings plan, operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. Many 529 plans allow disbursements to pay for tuition, fees, books, housing and dining. However, expenses that qualify for disbursement may differ by state or 529 plan administrator policies. Contact your 529 plan administrator regarding the disbursement of funds from your account.

More information can be found on the IRS 529 Plans website.

Contact your 529 plan administrator regarding the qualified expenses and disbursement of funds from the account.

Many 529 College Savings Plans now have an electronic distribution option which saves time and improves transparency with real-time payment tracking. When requesting a withdrawal from your plan, look to see if a digital disbursement is available.

Payments from 529 College Savings Plans should include the student's name and ID on the check. Checks should be mailed to the following location:

Northwestern University
P.O. Box 70385
Chicago, IL 60673

Please Note: Do not send scholarship checks to this address. Please direct all scholarship payment checks to the financial aid office. Visit Financial Aid and Scholarship Payments for details.