Using 529 Plans to Study Abroad

Many students who use a 529 plan (college savings account) to fund their education at the University of Kansas also want to use their 529 plan for study abroad. Study abroad expenses such as tuition and course fees, program fees, room and board, and required textbooks are eligible to be funded with a 529 plan, just like they are for courses that are taught in the United States.

Study abroad expenses that cannot be covered with 529 plans include transportation, international health insurance, medical costs not covered by U.S. health insurance, basic living expenses, and any costs associated with an international cell phone.

KU study abroad program budgets will detail which payments are made through KU Enroll & Pay. Using 529 plans to pay for study abroad costs that are billed through Enroll & Pay follows the same process as using them to pay for costs associated with on-campus courses. Depending on the study abroad program, some costs will be paid directly to the host institution or program provider and not be billed through Enroll & Pay, so students and parents will have to check with their 529 plan provider to see what the procedure will be to pay for those costs using the 529 plan.