Maryland 529 — formerly College Savings Plans of Maryland — is an independent State agency that was created to help Maryland families save for future college expenses and reduce dependence on student loans and other forms of debt.
Maryland 529 administers two plans:
Both plans are 529 plans, named after the section of the Internal Revenue Code that permits states to establish and administer tax-advantaged college savings plans. Each has its own set of features and benefits, and both offer federal and Maryland State tax advantages. Also, students may use their account at nearly any accredited college nationwide.
Lauren Shipley is the Executive Director of Maryland 529. She is also an active member of the College Savings Plans Network.
Ratings
In 2014, The Maryland College Investment Plan was one of four 529 plans nationwide to receive a “Gold” rating from Morningstar, Inc. This is the fifth year in a row the Maryland College Investment Plan has received Morningstar’s highest rating. Morningstar analysts reviewed 64 plans for its 2014 ratings (10/21/2014), 2013 ratings (10/22/13) and 2012 ratings (10/15/12), of which four plans received a “Gold” rating. To determine a plan’s rating, Morningstar analysts considered five factors: the plan’s strategy and investment process; the plan’s risk-adjusted performance; an assessment of the individuals managing the plan’s investment options; the stewardship practices of the plan’s administration and parent firm; and whether the plan’s investment options are a good value proposition compared to its peers. Plans were then assigned forward-looking ratings of "Gold," "Silver," "Bronze," "Neutral," and "Negative." Twenty-one of the industry’s smallest plans were not rated in 2014 or 2013 and 22 were not rated in 2012.
For its 2011 ratings, Morningstar analysts reviewed 58 plans, of which six plans received a "Top" rating, and 53 plans for its 2010 survey, of which five plans received a "Top" rating. Ratings for each plan in 2011 and 2010 were based on five factors: the quality of the underlying investment options; performance of those options; the skill of the managers of those options; the costs associated with each plan; and the stewardship practices of each plan's program manager. Plans were then assigned ratings of "Top," "Above Average," "Average," "Below Average," and "Bottom." To earn a "Top" rating under the previous ratings scale, a plan needed to be best-in-class across all five areas.
Both plans are administered by the Maryland 529 Board, which includes 11 members, half of whom are State officials and the other half of whom are public members appointed by Maryland’s Governor. Maryland Treasurer Nancy Kopp serves as the current chair of the board.