May 31 deadline for state ‘GET’ tuition plan

Families looking for a safe and convenient way to save for college have through May 31 to enroll in Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition Program (GET). After May 31, enrollment will be closed until the fall, when it will reopen at a higher price.

By Reporter Staff • May 14, 2013 8:49 am

Families looking for a safe and convenient way to save for college have through May 31 to enroll in Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition Program (GET). After May 31, enrollment will be closed until the fall, when it will reopen at a higher price.

GET accounts can be used to attend almost any public or private college, university or vocational school in the country. As a 529 plan, GET offers tax-free growth and withdrawals when used for qualified higher education expenses.

The cost of one GET unit today is $172. The future value of 100 units is equal to one year of resident, undergraduate tuition and required state fees at the highest priced Washington public university (UW or WSU), no matter how much tuition increases.

GET’s website at get.wa.gov offers details, charts, planning tools and answers for many of the questions that families have about the program.

Most accounts are opened online, and customer service staff is available at (800) 955-2318 to help families with any additional information they may need.