For years, 529 college savings plans were mainly used for tuition, room and board, and limited K–12 expenses. That changed recently. New federal legislation expanded what qualifies as a tax free 529 expense, making these plans even more useful for families preparing students for college. As of mid 2025, families can now use 529 funds to pay for SAT and ACT test preparation, opening the door to using college savings earlier in a student’s academic journey. What’s New With 529 Plans Federal law now allows 529 plan funds to be used for a broader range of education related expenses. This expansion applies to distributions made on or after July 4, 2025. Qualified expenses now include SAT and ACT test prep courses, standardized test fees such as the SAT, ACT, and AP exams, academic tutoring outside of traditional tuition, curriculum materials and instructional tools, dual enrollment fees for college courses taken in high school, and educational therapy for students with learning differences. This means families can use 529 funds for formal test prep programs, private tutoring, and structured academic support without paying federal income tax on the withdrawal, as long as the expenses qualify. What Counts as SAT and ACT Test Prep Eligible test prep expenses generally include enrollment in in person or online prep courses, private or group tutoring sessions focused on test performance, practice exams and official study materials, and academic coaching specifically designed for standardized testing. It is important that these services are clearly educational in nature. Families should keep detailed receipts and invoices that show what services were provided and when they occurred. Annual Limits to Know About There are still limits on how much can be used each year for K–12 related expenses. For 2025, families may use up to $10,000 per student per year for qualified K–12 expenses, including tutoring and test prep. Beginning in 2026, this annual limit increases to $20,000 per student. These limits apply per beneficiary, not per account. State Tax Rules Matter While this change applies at the federal level, state tax treatment can vary. Some states automatically conform to federal rules, while others require additional guidance before offering state tax benefits for newly eligible expenses. Before withdrawing funds, families should check with their 529 plan administrator or a tax professional to confirm how their state handles these expanded expenses. Why This Change Is a Big Deal SAT and ACT prep courses often cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Being able to use 529 funds for these expenses can significantly reduce out of pocket costs. This update also allows families to use 529 savings earlier, supports students during a critical college preparation stage, and adds flexibility to how education savings are used. A Simple Example If a family spends $1,500 on an SAT prep course for a high school student, that cost can now be paid for using 529 funds. As long as the expense qualifies and documentation is kept, the withdrawal can be federal tax free and applied toward the annual K–12 limit. Final Takeaway 529 plans are no longer just for college tuition. With the expanded rules, they can now help families cover important college readiness expenses like SAT and ACT prep. To make the most of this update, families should confirm eligible expenses with their plan provider, save all receipts, and consult a tax professional if questions arise. With careful planning, 529 savings can now support students well before their first day on campus. Ready to put your 529 plan to work? Enroll now for SAT and ACT test prep at Homework Hub by visiting homeworkhubtutoring.com or call (631) 673-7250 to get started today.

As parents, we all want our children to feel confident and successful in school. Sometimes, though, even bright and hardworking students can fall behind or struggle with certain subjects. Below are key indicators your child might benefit from a tutor—and signs it’s time to act. Common Signs Your Child Might Need Extra Help Falling or Inconsistent Grades
 If your child’s grades are dropping or fluctuating, it may mean they’re not fully understanding the material. Homework is Always a Battle
 If homework is taking too long, causing stress, or if your child needs a lot of help to get through it, tutoring could help things run more smoothly. Loss of confidence or interest in school If your child says things like “I’m just bad at this” or seems anxious or frustrated with school, they may feel overwhelmed or left behind. Trouble Staying Organized
 Forgetting assignments, losing worksheets, or missing deadlines could mean your child needs help with time management and study skills. Acting Out or Zoning Out in Class If your child used to enjoy school but now seems bored, distracted, or is having behavior issues, they might be struggling quietly. Big Changes Coming Up Moving to a new grade, harder subjects, or preparing for important tests can all be good times to get extra support. How Tutoring Can Help With one-on-one attention or small groups, a tutor can focus on your child’s unique learning needs and help explain things in a way that makes sense to them. Instead of just giving answers, tutors teach problem-solving skills and help students understand how to approach their work with confidence. They also help build strong study habits, time management, and organization skills that are important for long-term success. Why Choose Homework Hub? At Homework Hub, we work with students from Pre-K through College and Beyond in-person, online, or at your home. Our caring, experienced, and certified instructors will build your child’s confidence and help them succeed in school. Our HwH program is designed to support your school district's curriculum. It focuses on what your child is already learning in school, helping to reinforce lessons and fill in any gaps so they don’t fall behind. Our HwH+ program is designed for students who are below or above grade level and need individualized instruction. Curriculum is designed to supplement a child’s education, offering intervention and enrichment. If you’ve noticed any of these signs or just want to give your child a boost, we’d love to help. Visit homeworkhubtutoring.com to learn more or get started today!

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This week, the ten-year Treasury bill auction set the rates for federal education loans that will be disbursed between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. They have hit all-time lows and will make financing a college education a little less painful.

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Deciding whether your child should take the ACT or SAT can feel overwhelming. Both are widely accepted by colleges, but the exams differ in format, pacing, and style. The right choice often depends on the way your child learns, how comfortable they are with technology, and where their academic strengths lie...

The new enhanced version of the ACT is here! While both versions measure similar academic skills, there are key differences in structure, scoring, and requirements.

As a parent, it's normal to worry about the changes to college admissions tests that your child will face. The SAT transitioned to digital earlier this year, and now the ACT is set to receive an update in 2025. These shifts aim to make testing shorter and more flexible, which could help reduce some of the pressure on students during testing. The ACT and SAT both shared details about their updated tests, and we're here to break it down for you. What Parents Need to Know About the ACT The ACT is designed to give students more choices and a smoother experience. Here's a quick look at the key features: Test Format: Students can take it on paper or digitally, depending on what works best for them. Structure: It's straightforward – every student receives the same questions, ensuring fairness and predictability. Sections: English, Math, Reading, with Science as an optional add-on. Essay/Writing: Optional, and most colleges don't require it anyway. Total Test Time: About 2 hours and 5 minutes for the core sections, or 2 hours and 40 minutes if Science is included – shorter than the old version. Time Per Question (Average): English receives approximately 42 seconds, Math about 67 seconds, Reading 67 seconds, and Science 60 seconds, allowing kids a bit more time to think. Math Topics: Covers basics like pre-algebra, algebra I and II, geometry, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, and simple stats. Calculator Policy: Allowed for the whole Math section. Answer Choices: All multiple choice, with 4 options in Math. Scoring Scale: 1-36 for each section, and the composite score is the average of the three core sections. Test Dates: Seven national dates each year. Prep Carryover: If your child has studied for the old ACT, that work still counts. Key Details on the SAT The SAT has gone fully digital, which means students need to become more comfortable with testing on a screen. There were also a few minor changes to the test in general, so here's what stands out: Test Format: Digital only. Structure: Adaptive – the questions get harder or easier based on how the student does. Sections: Reading and Writing combined into one section, plus Math. Essay: No essay at all. Total Test Time: 2 hours and 14 minutes. Time Per Question (Average): About 71 seconds for Reading and Writing, and 95 seconds for Math. Math Topics: Includes algebra (like linear equations and systems), advanced math (quadratics, polynomials, exponentials), data analysis (ratios, graphs, percentages), and geometry/trig (area, angles, circles, volume). Calculator Policy: Allowed for all of Math. Answer Choices: Mostly multiple choice, but some questions ask for student-produced answers. Scoring Scale: 200-800 per section, with a total out of 1600. Test Dates: National dates, plus some schools offer it during the school day. Prep Carryover: The digital and adaptive setup means you'll likely need new study plans. How the Formats Are Changing Both tests are trying to make things easier on students by cutting down on length and complexity, making it more straightforward for students. For the ACT, Science is now optional, just like the Essay. This changes the core sections to English, Math, and Reading, with fewer questions overall, shorter reading passages, and four choices for Math answers. The SAT combines Reading and Writing, skips the essay, and uses an adaptive system that adjusts to the student's performance, which could play to their strengths or add extra challenge. Timing Updates ACT: Core test is 2 hours and 5 minutes, or 2 hours and 40 minutes with Science. Students get more time per question (42-67 seconds), which might help those who work at a steady pace. SAT: Total of 2 hours and 14 minutes, with 71-95 seconds per question. It's a consistent flow, but digital skills are a must. What Hasn't Changed ACT: Still offers paper or digital, non-adaptive questions, and the 1-36 scoring. SAT: Digital format with the 200-800 per section (1600 total) scoring. Comparing the New ACT and SAT The ACT and SAT are now closer in duration because of the ACT's shorter reading passages and questions. This provides a more predictable pace, easing time pressure for students who may struggle under pressure. In contrast, the SAT's adaptive format adjusts question difficulty based on performance, which can challenge high-achievers but may unsettle those who struggle with unpredictability. The ACT's optional Science section and linear, non-adaptive structure cater to students who excel in consistent settings or need to showcase science skills for specific college programs, such as engineering. On the other hand, the SAT's fixed, essay-free digital format demands comfort with technology and adaptability, making it critical to align your child's strengths and college goals with the test that best suits them. Test Dates to Keep in Mind ACT: Seven national dates yearly for plenty of chances. SAT: National dates plus school-day options in some places. Making Use of Old Prep ACT: Existing study materials and practice still work well. SAT: These changes mean your student will need updated resources for the new digital adaptive format. Advice Based on Your Child's Grade 12th Graders (Class of 2026): These updates probably won't affect you, as testing wraps up before they roll out. 11th Graders (Class of 2027): You can test both versions; stick to your current prep schedule. 10th Graders and Younger (Class of 2028+): There's time to try out both and see which one fits best for college applications. Why Test Scores Matter More Now Grade inflation has amplified since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to higher GPAs across schools. This makes it harder for colleges to gauge a student’s true academic readiness from transcripts alone. Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT serve as a consistent benchmark, helping admissions teams fairly compare applicants from diverse backgrounds. Over 100 top colleges, including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, require these scores for the 2025-2026 cycle, emphasizing their importance. Strong preparation for these exams is critical to help your child stand out in a competitive applicant pool. Working with a counselor or tutor can guide your child to excel in this evolving admissions landscape.