Education Savings Account Budget Calculator

An education savings account award is a ceiling, not a budget. What decides whether a family can actually make the year work is the gap between the award and the things the family intends to buy — some of which the programme will reimburse and some of which it will not.

Approved expense categories vary by state and change between programme years. Put your own award and plans in below, then check each line against your state's current approved list.

Reimbursement timing is the real problem

Many programmes reimburse rather than prepay. Families front the money for tuition in August and see it back weeks later, which means the out-of-pocket line above understates the cash you need at the start of the year.

Ask two questions before enrolling: how long reimbursements take in practice, and whether any vendors are paid directly.

Keep receipts as if you will be audited

Because you may be. Itemised invoices with the student's name, the date, and a description that matches an approved category are what a review asks for. A credit card statement line is not.

Rollover rules decide December

If unused funds are forfeited at year end, spending decisions in the autumn look different than if they carry forward. Find out which applies to your programme early, not in November.