Illinois First Steps
Start Saving Early with a $50 seed deposit
Illinois First Steps encourages families to begin saving for higher education early in a child’s life. In fiscal year 2025, nearly 9% of Illinois families with babies born in 2023 claimed their Illinois First Steps seed deposit and began saving for future education costs. As of June 30, 2025, the oldest children in that group were 2½ years old.
More Families Are Starting Earlier
Since Illinois First Steps launched in 2023, families have opened Illinois 529 college savings accounts earlier than before. The average age of a child when an account was opened has dropped to 5.6 years, and the median age has dropped to 3.2 years. Together, these trends show that more families are taking action sooner to save for their child’s future.
There Is Still Time to Claim the Deposit
Families still have time to participate. Illinois parents or legal guardians of a child born or adopted in 2023 or later can claim the Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit until the child turns 10. As more families learn about the program and open Illinois 529 accounts, participation is expected to continue growing.
Annual Reports
- Illinois First Steps Annual Report 2025
- Illinois First Steps Annual Report 2024
- Illinois First Steps Annual Report 2023
Find the Right College Savings Plan
Compare Bright Start, which you manage yourself, and Bright Directions, which is managed with help from a financial advisor, to find the college savings plan that works best for your family.
Visit BrightStart.com or BrightDirections.com, or email collegesavings@illinoistreasurer.gov. Bilingual staff is available to answer your questions.