Education Savings Account

How it works:

For each beneficiary, you can open an account with as little as $50. A beneficiary can receive up to $2,000 total in contributions in after-tax dollars annually. The earnings on your contributions grow tax-free, and when it comes time to use the funds you've saved up, you can do so without having to pay any additional taxes. (There are a few other details. Chat with an Umpqua Associate or your tax advisor for additional info.)

Acceptable uses:

An Education Savings Account (ESA) can be used for elementary, secondary and post-secondary "qualified education expenses." These expenses include tuition, room & board, books, tutoring, uniforms, other school fees, books & supplies, computers and internet access.

Other details:

You can change the beneficiary of the account. A contribution must be made before the beneficiary turns 18, unless the beneficiary is a special-needs beneficiary. You can also rollover any unused ESA funds, without penalty, to other family members under the age of 30 or a special-needs beneficiary.

Fees you should know about:

Yes, there are a few. Give us a call at (866) 4UMPQUA or come into your neighborhood store and we can go over them with you.

Who can use the savings:

The account can be opened by a parent or guardian, and contributions can come from parents, grandparents, relatives, friends or family members. Contributor-adjusted gross income must be under the limit set for a given tax year to be eligible—see us for details on the current year's limits. The beneficiary of the account must use the funds before they turn 30.