Getting Started-Ohio's Plan

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Ohio 529 College Savings Plan > Getting Started > Getting Started-Ohio's Plan

Ohio has two ways to start a 529 college savings plan: you can do it yourself through the Direct plan, offered directly through the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority, or you can use a financial advisor and the CollegeAdvantage plan available through financial professionals.

If you are not an Ohio taxpayer, before you invest, consider whether your home state offers a 529 plan that provides its taxpayers with state tax or other benefits not available through this plan.

CollegeAdvantage is a 529 college savings plan offered and administered by the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority (OTTA). OTTA has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Direct program, including record-keeping and transfer agency services.

CollegeAdvantage Direct is described in the current Offering Statement and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before opening an account.

OTTA also sponsors and provides oversight of the CollegeAdvantage Advisor plan offered by BlackRock. The BlackRock CollegeAdvantage advisor plan is described in the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage Offering Statement and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before opening an account.

Any investment in a CollegeAdvantage mutual fund-based investment option is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency or other party, including the state of Ohio, OTTA or any of the mutual fund firms under contract with OTTA. Any investment in a Fifth Third investment option, however, is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), up to the limits set by the FDIC. An investment in a CollegeAdvantage mutual fund investment option is not a direct investment in a mutual fund itself. Except for the Fifth Third investment options, participants assume all investment risk of an investment in CollegeAdvantage, including the potential loss of principal. Regular investing does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. The amount actually available for withdrawal will depend on the investment performance of the investment options chosen.

© 2010, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. The OTTA silhouette logo, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority and CollegeAdvantage are registered trademarks of the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. If you have questions, please call us at 1-800-AFFORD-IT (233-6734) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.