Save for school and save on taxes

To pay for your family's education, you could use savings, income or loans — or a combination. While there are downsides to using loans and income, there are advantages to using savings. 

The educational plan offered by our state, KY Saves 529, offers similar advantages to retirement savings accounts. 

Qualified expenses

  • College, trade school and K-12 tuition 
  • College room and board 
  • College fees 
  • Computers for college 
  • Books for college

Advantages of an educational savings plan

Every dollar you save now can potentially be one less dollar you have to borrow and repay with interest later. Making large contributions isn't as important as making regular, consistent contributions.

If your original beneficiary cannot use the funds, you can change beneficiaries to someone else in the family

Your savings:

  • Grow quicker because they’re tax-deferred 
  • Are withdrawn tax-free for qualified educational expenses 
  • Have gift tax and estate tax advantages 
  • Are not counted against need-based student aid  


Save automatically with KY Saves 529

You can fund your savings account directly from your UK paycheck, so you can set it and forget it. Making regular contributions makes a big difference, which is why we offer this direct funding option. 

Right now, KY Saves 529 will give a $100 bonus to the first 150 employees who open an account and set up payroll direct deposit by the end of the year using the promo code Start100.

Get started or make changes any time

Currently, enrolling or changing contributions through direct deposit to a 529 plan is only available in the classic myUK portal.

Use this link for the classic myUK portal

You can start, stop or change your contributions at any time. 

If you’re getting started for the first time, you’ll first create your account with KY Saves 529 and then go to the classic myUK portal to set your contributions.

1. Create your savings account

KY Saves 529 is the educational plan offered by our state. You’ll first need to create your account on their website.

Look for your nine-digit KY Saves account number. You’ll need it for the next step.

KY Saves 529
2. Set your contributions

1. Visit the classic myUK portal.
2. Under Employee Self Service, select Personal Information.
3. Select Personal Profile.
4. Next to Bank Information, select Add, then Other Bank.
5. Click Add KY Saves 529 Plan in the top left. This will insert the KY Saves Routing Number and "566" at the beginning of your Account Number.
6. After "566" enter your the nine-digit KY Saves account number in the Account Number field, along with the amount you'd like to contribute in the Standard Value field.
7. Click Save and Back to save your contribution.

myUK

Financial well-being benefits

All employees are eligible to participate in direct deposit into their KY Saves 529 plan.

Contact our office

Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(859) 257-9555 option 3
hr@uky.edu
106 Bosworth Hall