Ugift® is a simple, free-to-use online service that allows friends and family to contribute to your NY 529 Direct Plan account. It’s as easy as getting your unique Ugift code from your online portal and sharing it!
How to use Ugift:
- Log on to your NY 529 Direct Plan account and select the Ugift link.
- On the Ugift page, you’ll get a unique Ugift code for your account.
- Give this code to friends and family over the phone, in person, through email, on social networks, or on printed invitations.
- Gift-givers can go to Ugift529.com to enter the code, their name, and the gift amount. They can choose to make their gift electronically or by check.
This code is safe to share.
The code makes the transaction secure, and the gift-givers won’t have to register for or log on to the site. And they won’t have to pay a service fee, as some programs charge. They’ll see a confirmation after making their gift, and they can also choose to receive a confirmation by email. You’ll get a confirmation too.
Ways to share your code:
- Email: Send out an email to your network of friends and family before a birthday or holiday.
- Printed: If you don’t have email addresses for everyone asking for gift ideas, you can mail them an invitation that includes a printed coupon. Then they can contribute to your child’s account by mailing a check with the coupon.
- Facebook and X: You can now link from Ugift to Facebook or X, where you’ll find a post that’s prepopulated with your code and a message. You only need to select the friends/followers you want to see the post.
How to win over gift-givers:
If your family still needs convincing about going with a college contribution over a physical gift, try these suggestions.
Start a new tradition. Be the first to contribute to someone’s college ambition. Contribute to your niece’s or nephew’s 529 account every birthday. Once your family members see how meaningful the gift can be, they may reciprocate.
Share information in a smaller circle. Not comfortable with a social media post? Keep it personal by sending an email just to grandparents or that favorite aunt who’s always asking for your child’s wish list. Make it easy for them by including the link and the child’s Ugift code.
Get your child on board. Grandparents might be more likely to forgo a wrapped gift if they see a contribution on your child’s wish list. It might be tricky to convince a child that it’s worth skipping the newest toy for a long-term investment, but it’s a lesson worth sharing.
Find out who gave.
After the holidays are over or the birthdays have passed, simply log on to your NY 529 account and follow the See Ugift history link to see the people your kids can thank for helping them get that much closer to making their college savings goals a reality.
Ugift® is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc.
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