529 plan FAQs: About the portfolios and investments

It's important to choose an investment mix that you'll be able to live with—one that won't keep you up at night when market volatility strikes. But it should also provide the potential for growth that will help you reach your goals. Investors have historically balanced those needs by investing in age-based mutual fund portfolios that include a blend of stocks, bonds, and short-term investments that adjust over time to grow more conservative as the child nears college age.

Read more about the investment options Fidelity offers: 529 plan investment options

Future Contributions

You can change the instructions on file for how your future contributions are invested at any time and as often as you would like.

You can view your account’s current elections for future contributions on the Manage Investments pageLog In Required. You can update your elections by clicking the "Change elections" link on this page. Your changes will be in effect the next time you contribute to your 529 college savings plan account.

Current investments

You can also change how the current investments in your account are allocated. However, per IRS rules, you may only change your current investments two times per year-or if you change beneficiaries-without incurring taxes. You can view your account’s current investments on the Manage Investments pageLog In Required on Fidelity.com. You can change your account’s current allocation by initiating a portfolio exchange by clicking the "Change your investments" link on this page.

An order to change your current investments portfolios, if deemed to be in good order by Fidelity, will be processed at the next Unit value to be calculated as of the close of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. EST but earlier on scheduled half-days, during restrictions or suspensions of trading, or in emergencies)

To find out more, visit the 529 plan investment options page.

If you are unable to make updates online you can also update how your future contributions are invested or change your current investments by downloading the investment instruction form below (please select the form for the state plan in which your 529 assets are invested) or call 800-544-1914.

• CHET 529 College Savings Program investment instructions form (PDF)
• MEFA U. Fund College Investment Plan investment instructions form (PDF)
• The UNIQUE College Investing Plan investment instructions form (PDF)
• AZ529, Arizona's Education Savings Plan investment instructions form (PDF)
• DE529 Education Savings Plan investment instructions form (PDF)

Portfolio exchanges initiated online or by mail via the Investment Instructions form will apply to your entire account: you can't choose to exchange only part of your account unless you call a Fidelity representative.

If you've chosen eDelivery, we'll email your confirmation in 1–2 business days. If you don't use eDelivery, you'll receive a statement in the U.S. Mail in 3–5 business days.