In 2026, the landscape of education is shifting faster than ever. From the rise of specialized trade certifications to the "Grandparent Loophole" in financial aid, families are looking for smarter ways to bridge the gap between savings and soaring tuition. The Fidelity 529 Plan has evolved to meet this moment. Here is how savvy families are using it to secure their children's future in 2026. 1. The "Invisible" Asset: Leveraging New FAFSA Rules For years, families worried that saving too much would hurt their financial aid. In 2026, those fears are largely outdated thanks to FAFSA simplification. Parental Advantage: Assets in a parent-owned Fidelity 529 are assessed at a maximum rate of just 5.64% when calculating the Student Aid Index (SAI). The Grandparent Strategy: Accounts owned by grandparents or other relatives are now completely invisible on the FAFSA. They aren't reported as assets, and distributions to pay for school no longer count as student...
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