History & Mission

The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) was established by the Utah State Legislature in 1996 as a nonprofit, tax-advantaged college savings program to help parents, grandparents, and other interested parties save for loved ones’ future college expenses.

After more than a decade of growth, UESP holds more than $5.1 billion in assets under management in over 214,000 accounts as of December 31, 2012. A leader in the college savings industry, UESP is regarded as one of the best 529 plans in the nation for its low fees, flexibility, and variety of investment options. In October 2012, Morningstar, Inc., rated UESP a “Gold" 529 college savings plan saying, “Simplicity, combined with ingenuity, makes the Utah Educational Savings Plan among the best choices for college savers.” Financial guru Clark Howard labeled it “the nation’s finest 529,” Clark’s 529 Guide, 2012. Tens of thousands of Utah and non-Utah residents alike have benefited from UESP’s mission to help account owners build up their college funds while enjoying tax advantages.

UESP initially offered a single investment option in the Public Treasurers' Investment Fund (PTIF). In 1999, UESP began adding additional investment options of select Vanguard mutual funds. An FDIC-insured Zions First National Bank savings account investment option was added in 2009.