How 529 Plans Can Cover Your Childs Gap Year Program

The College Savings Podcast with Fexingo: 529 Plans, Education Funding, and Student Costs · Jul 14, 2026 · 8m · transcript

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into a specific and growing use for 529 plans: funding a gap year program. They break down which gap year expenses qualify under the IRS rules—tuition for structured programs, room and board, even necessary travel—and which ones don't, like independent travel or personal spending. The discussion centers on a real example: a six-month cultural immersion program costing $18,000, and how a family can use their 529 to pay for it penalty-free. Lucas explains that programs must be offered by an eligible educational institution, which includes many…