Posted on 05/27/25
Baltimore, MD - May 27, 2025 - The window to apply for the Save4College State Contribution Program (aka the Maryland Match) closes on May 31st (Motzei Shabbos) at 11:59pm. If you have not already done so, now is the time to apply (for new applicants) or re-apply (if you already are an account holder and have yet to reach the $9K limit for received state contributions).
In order to apply for the Save4College State Contribution Program, you must already have a Maryland 529 College Investment Program account. If you do, simply log on to your account and click “Maryland Save4College State Contribution Program” link (usually found on the right side of the page), and apply. Remember to select each of your beneficiaries in order to receive a contribution for each one.
If you do not yet have a Maryland 529 College Investment Program account, you must first set up the account and then select your beneficiaries (i.e. those for whom you are putting away money). Please be advised that there may be a slight delay after the account is created before the system will allow you to log back in to apply for the State Contribution Program. As such, you definitely want to create your 529 account in advance of the May 31st deadline.
A beneficiary (birth till 26) may not receive the state contributions from more than two account holders per year
Both the account holder and beneficiary must be Maryland residents
The account holder must be at least 18 years old to have beneficiaries who receive a state contribution
The account holder need not be a parent or grandparent; it can be a sibling (if parents are income ineligible or have reached lifetime cap) who claims themselves (until age 26) and their other siblings as beneficiaries
The account holder must file MD state income taxes by July 15 of that year – or – if they do not have any Maryland income to report, they must submit a notarized affidavit that is postmarked by 5/31
Each account holder’s lifetime “Match” total (from all of their account’s beneficiaries) is capped at $9,000 – NOT per beneficiary
An account holder’s income eligibility is based on adjusted gross income (not taxable net income)
Even if an account holder is maxed out of the Match’s $9,000 cap, they are still eligible for the 529 tax deduction benefits. The tax deduction component of the program does not have the May 31st deadline.
To reach the Maryland 529 office by phone, call 1-888-4MD-GRAD.
Our 529 webpage has more information, links, and guidance documents to help setup and fund Maryland 529 accounts.
You may also call or email questions to our office, 410-484-3632 or 529@agudahmd.org.