More Ways to Save
When it comes to saving for college, every contribution to the account helps. Even smaller contributions, if made regularly, can add up over time. Here are additional opportunities to help you save regularly and invite others to get involved.
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Automatic Investment Program

The SMART529 Automatic Investment Program (AIP) is an easy way to make regular contributions to a college savings account. Just provide the dollar amount and frequency of your contributions (typically monthly), and they'll be transferred electronically from the bank or credit union account you specify to your SMART529 account.


Get Started


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Payroll Direct Deposit

Automatic payroll direct deposit makes saving for college nearly effortless. Your employer must be able to support this feature.

  1. Log in to your account.
  2. Select the Profile & Documents link on the right side of the screen.
  3. Select the Payroll Deduction link on the left side of the screen and follow the instructions.


Good to Know

  • There is no minimum amount required for initial or subsequent contributions
  • Contributions are paid with after tax-dollars
  • Your employer must be able to support this feature

 

Sign up Online

 

 

 

 

uPromise

Upromise is a free service that helps families save for college by providing opportunities to earn cash back rewards for everyday activities such as online shopping, playing mobile games, dining, grocery shopping, purchasing gift cards and more. Rewards are automatically deposited as contributions to your SMART529 Plan account when you reach $50 in rewards.1

 

Join Upromise for free today:

  • Earn $5.29 in bonus rewards when you open and verify a new Upromise account.
  • Earn an additional $25 in bonus rewards when you link your first SMART529 Plan account to your new Upromise account.
  • Earn additional rewards continuously by shopping, dining, answering surveys, playing mobile games and more everyday activities.
  • Earn FREE access to expert professional, financial, and educational content ranging from personalized coaching and investment strategies to college savings guidance (coming soon).

 

Learn more at Upromise.com



 

 

uGift logo

 

Ugift® lets you invite family and friends to celebrate occasions with the most meaningful gift of all: money towards a college education.

It's Easy:

  • Log in to your SMART529 account
  • Click on the Ugift® link in the left navigation bar
  • Follow the step-by-step instructions

Fill in your celebration details and enter your invitee list and their email addresses. With the click of a button you can send out an invitation and a specially coded gift coupon via email. You can also print out coded Ugift® coupons to hand or mail out. 

When family and friends mail back the gift coupon with a check (minimum of $25.00) a code on the coupon links it to your celebration, approximately five days after the celebration date the gift contribution is invested directly into your SMART529 account. A "Thank You" email is also sent to your invitee to acknowledge receipt of the gift if the gift-giver's address was entered on the e-invitation.

 

 

uGift logo

 

Gift of College is an online gift registry program that allows family and friends to contribute toward higher education. You can give gift cards conveniently online via email or physically in the mail (minimum of $25). The card can easily be redeemed right into a college savings 529 account.

Purchase a gift card

 

 

1 Upromise is an optional service offered by Upromise, Inc., is separate from SMART529 WV Direct, and is not affiliated with the State of West Virginia and Hartford Funds. Specific terms and conditions apply. Participating companies, contribution levels and conditions are subject to change without notice. Transfers are subject to a $50 minimum.

Upromise, Inc. is not affiliated with the State of West Virginia or Hartford Funds.

"Upromise" is a registered service mark of Upromise, Inc.

Ugift is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc and is not affiliated with the State of West Virginia or Hartford Funds. 

Gift of College is not affiliated with the State of West Virginia or Hartford Funds.

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SMART529 is a college savings plan offered by the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs and administered by Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC ("HFMC").

SMART529 Direct is available to residents of West Virginia or to non-residents where the beneficiary is a resident of West Virginia. West Virginia (WV) provides certain tax advantages to WV taxpayers that invest in SMART529 Direct. Before investing, an investor should consider whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan.

Investments in SMART529 are not guaranteed or insured by the State of West Virginia, the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs, the West Virginia State Treasurer's Office, HFMC, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., the investment sub-advisers for the Underlying Funds or any depository institution. Investments in SMART529 are subject to investment risks, including the loss of the principal amount invested, and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Investments in SMART529 are subject to certain charges, which will reduce the value of your Account as they are incurred. Please see the Offering Statement for details of charges or fees that apply to the specific SMART529 savings plan.

This information is written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the matter(s) addressed in this material. The information cannot be used or relied upon for the purpose of avoiding IRS penalties. These materials are not intended to provide tax, accounting or legal advice. As with all matters of a tax or legal nature, you should consult your own tax or legal counsel for advice.

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of SMART529 and its Underlying Funds before investing. This and other information can be found in the Offering Statement for SMART529, including privacy notices, and the prospectuses or other disclosure documents for the Underlying Funds, which can be obtained by calling (866) 574−3542. Please read them carefully before you invest or send money. SMART529 is distributed by Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC. Member SIPC.

For a copy of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs’ most recent Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, please click here.

"The Hartford" is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

© Copyright 2025 Hartford Funds Management Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Not FDIC Insured | No Bank Guarantee | May Lose Value

Logo - The Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs THE SEAL OF THE STATE TREASURER OF WEST VIRGINIA - West Virginia’s State Treasurer’s Office Hartford Funds Logo - Our benchmark is the investor®