Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan Earns Silver Medal Rating for Fifth Consecutive Year

published February 19, 2026

ATLANTA, February, 2026 — Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan has once again been recognized as one of the best college savings plans in the nation, earning a Silver Medalist Rating from Morningstar for the fifth consecutive year. Of the 59 college savings plans rated in Morningstar's 2025 analysis, Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan is one of only 13 to receive the coveted Silver designation — placing Georgia's plan among the nation's top performers.

Morningstar, a leading independent investment research firm, evaluates 529 plans across the country each year, assessing their investment process, team expertise, oversight, and costs. The report highlighted that Silver-rated plans demonstrate a "combination of superior investment teams, robust investment processes, and/or good state stewardship that deliver benefit to participants."

Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan continues to stand out as one of the nation's best options for families investing in education. The Plan is committed to ensuring Georgia families have access to affordable, transparent tools to help plan for the future. Morningstar's recognition reflects the strong stewardship, thoughtful oversight, and fiscal responsibility that make our state's plan a national leader. This rating validates the plan's ongoing efforts to reduce costs, refine investment choices, and provide Georgia families with a smart, trusted way to save for education.

Notably, Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan was one of only two Silver-rated plans nationwide to receive an upgrade to the Parent pillar, recognizing the state's proactive and thorough investment oversight.

The Parent pillar measures how well a plan is managed on behalf of its investors — including its governance, communication, and accountability. Georgia's upgrade reflects the consistent care, fiscal responsibility, and long-term vision that have guided Path2College since its inception. Under Morningstar's current measurement, the Process pillar carries a 50 percent weight, while People and Parent each account for 25 percent — meaning Georgia's improved Parent rating played a key role in sustaining its Silver standing among the nation's top college savings plans.

Georgia residents enjoy a generous state tax deduction with the plan. Joint filers can deduct up to $8,000 per beneficiary per year from state taxable income ($4,000 for single filers).

As of January 31, 2026, participants hold more than $7.11 billion in Path2College 529 Plan assets, with over $3.3 billion already used to pay for qualified education expenses since the plan's inception in 2002.

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In an annual review (11/11/2025) of the largest 529 college savings plans (59 plans representing more than 90% of 529 assets), Morningstar identified 31 plans that stand out above the rest, assigning those plans Gold, Silver, and Bronze Morningstar Analyst Ratings for 2025. These plans offer a well-researched asset-allocation approach, a robust process for selecting and monitoring underlying investments, a well-resourced and experienced investment team, stable and engaged oversight from the state and low fees. Investors in what Morningstar analysts consider the best 529 plans should be well-positioned for the future. The three key pillars used by Morningstar to evaluate 529 college savings plans include – Process, People, and Parent. The Process Pillar rating, weighted at 50%, examines investment quality as well as the rigor and resilience of the underlying investment process. The People and Parent Pillars are each weighted at 25%, equally highlighting the critical role of experienced management and effective state oversight. Plan fees are evaluated using modified z-scores that adjust a plan's rating based on how its average expense ratio compares with the peer group median. The resulting Medalist Rating provides a holistic assessment of both investment quality and affordability. For more information about Morningstar's overview of the Path2College 529 Plan, go to Morningstar.com. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. compensates Morningstar for the ability to quote these ratings in public communications. Past performance does not predict future results. Source: Morningstar.com. A Morningstar Analyst Rating for a 529 college savings plan is not a credit or risk rating. Analyst ratings are subjective in nature and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions.

To learn more about Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan, its investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses see the Plan Description at path2college529.com before investing. Read it carefully. Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss. If the funds aren't used for qualified higher education expenses, a federal 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Prior to investing, check with your home state to learn if it offers tax or other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds or protection from creditors for investing in its own 529 plan. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, distributor and underwriter for the Path2College 529 Plan.

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