House Proposal Would Expand 529 Eligible Expenses

Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) has introduced H.R. 8128, a bill to expand the allowable education expenses available for use from 529 education savings accounts. The bill would allow industry recognized apprenticeship programs registered and certified by an eligible Standards Recognition Entity as qualified education expenses. These programs would be in addition to existing apprenticeship programs registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor that qualify as higher education expenses.

The definition of qualified education expense would also be further expanded to include expenses related to a “career and technical education program” (as defined by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006) or a “career pathway” (as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act).