Bright Start

Bright Start is Illinois' direct-sold 529 college savings plan, sponsored by the State of Illinois and administered by the Illinois State Treasurer as Trustee. It is professionally managed by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI), with investment portfolios built using funds from Vanguard, PIMCO, Fidelity and T. Rowe Price. The plan offers triple tax advantages: tax-deferred growth, tax-free qualified withdrawals, and an Illinois state income tax deduction of up to $20,000 for joint filers. Established in 2000, Bright Start has helped families save more than $12.5 billion for over 345,700 students.