Morningstar Awards Eighth Gold Rating to Illinois Bright Start 529 Plan
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced that the Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan has received its eighth Gold rating from Morningstar. The plan is one of only nine direct-sold 529 plans in the United States to achieve this distinction, earning high marks for its investment menu, state oversight, and management quality. The Illinois 529 programs have seen significant scale, with combined assets reaching approximately $25 billion across more than 978,000 accounts. Bright Start specifically reported record growth in 2026, surpassing 550,000 accounts as of September 30. Additionally, the advisor-guided Bright Directions 529 plan received a Bronze rating from Morningstar.
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Topics: 529 College Savings Plan Illinois State Treasurer Morningstar Rating