COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update:

START will be closed to the public effective immediately and will be providing essential services remotely until further notice due to changing circumstances involving Coronavirus (COVID-19).

START, START K12 and ABLE disbursements are NOW available online.  We appreciated your patience as we worked to automate this process for your convenience.

In an effort to expedite the disbursement process, all disbursements will be made payable to either an Account Owner or Beneficiary.

Account owners may make deposits online during the time the office is closed to the public.  If you would like to make a deposit, please logon to your account and on the account view page you may choose CONTRIBUTION OR SCHEDULED DEPOSITS.  During these times of uncertainty with COVID-19, account owners can change and/or terminate their payroll deductions and automatic debits (ACH) without any fees or penalties.

START will not have access to any documents sent via U.S. Postal Service or other mail carriers until further notice.  All documents and correspondence should be submitted via e-mail or fax at (225) 612-6497.  For questions related to START or START K12, email start@la.gov and for questions related to LA ABLE, email laable@la.gov.  If you are locked out of your START, START K12, or LA ABLE account, please send an email to 529plan.access@la.gov.

For additional information, follow @startsaving529programla on Facebook.

Please note that due to measures taken to reduce the spread of COVID 19, annual account statements will not be mailed at this time. You can view your statement(s) online by logging in to your account, clicking on the Account View page, and selecting "View Statements" at the top of the page.

About START
The START Saving Program is an innovative college savings plan designed to help families contend with the growing costs of educating their children after high school.

START FAQs
Get the answers to START’s most frequently asked questions. Don’t see your questions? Contact us below.

START Expenses
Account funds may be used to pay: Qualified Higher Educational Expenses, which are limited to tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, room/board, and special needs for START accounts.

START Deposits
Deposits are deductible from the Louisiana State Taxable Income up to a maximum of $2,400 per year, per account, and any unused portion may be carried forward to subsequent tax years on individual returns. There is a lifetime maximum deposits of $500,000 combined accounts for each beneficiary.

About K12
The START K12 Program is an educational savings plan designed to help families save for tuition expenses related to attendance at an eligible Louisiana Elementary or Secondary school that provides kindergarten through twelfth grade.

K12 Expenses
Qualified Education Expenses, are limited to tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at a Louisiana Elementary or Secondary Schools. Maximum annual withdrawals up to $10,000.

K12 Deposits
Deposits are limited to a lifetime maximum of $180,000 combined accounts for each beneficiary. Deposits do not receive a Louisiana State taxable deduction for START K12 accounts.