While my 11th-grade classmates at my Long Island public high school spent recent weeks focused on prom and final exams, I spent mine closely studying the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” But this bill isn’t just about tax deductions or economic policy shifts; it represents a direct effort to transform education for students like me.
Tucked within the bill are targeted reforms to 529 plans that have received little national attention but could significantly affect families by increasing school choice, reducing financial barriers, and expanding opportunities for students with learning disabilities.
529 accounts are tax-advantaged investment tools designed to help families save for education-related expenses. Historically, their use was limited to college tuition and, more recently, certain private K–12 tuition costs. However, students in public schools have far fewer opportunities to benefit, particularly when it comes to out-of-pocket educational services, tutoring, or enrichment programs.
Unlike vague education promises—such as President Biden’s unfulfilled pledge to provide two years of free community college—Trump’s proposal includes actionable changes. If enacted, the bill would expand qualified 529 expenses to include tutoring, dual-enrollment courses, AP and standardized test fees, online curriculum platforms, textbooks, and educational therapy for students with learning disabilities.
At sixteen, I was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/
After receiving a diagnosis from a doctor, I began cognitive and educational therapy. Educational therapy is personalized instruction tailored to learning disabilities. It is not general tutoring. These interventions helped rebuild academic skills I had missed. I caught up with my peers and exceeded expectations.
Today, I write for national outlets and serve as the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the country. That progress came from specialized support—support that many students still cannot afford.
A single educational therapy session can cost over $200. Most insurance policies do not cover it unless classified under narrow treatment codes. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, about 30% of parents of children with learning disabilities report being unable to afford out-of-school academic support. That financial barrier prevents many students from receiving essential interventions.
By allowing 529 accounts to cover educational therapy, Trump’s bill would help students meet academic standards by addressing specific learning needs. Without targeted support, students fall behind—not due to lack of effort, but because of inaccessible resources.
Other provisions would allow families to use 529 funds for standardized test fees such as the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. These tests affect college admissions and scholarship access. In my high school, some students decide whether to take AP exams based solely on whether they can afford the fee. In underfunded districts, school budgets often don’t cover these costs. The bill would let families use their own savings to manage them.
These reforms also highlight a political divide over education control.
In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expanded 529 eligibility to private K–12 tuition. Senator Ted Cruz introduced an amendment to extend it to homeschooling. Senators Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden challenged the amendment using the Byrd Rule, which blocks provisions unrelated to federal spending from budget bills. Their objection succeeded, and the homeschooling expansion was removed.
Blocking that change limited options for families using accredited homeschool programs—many of which serve students with disabilities. Democratic resistance to expanding 529 usage has constrained access to tutoring, therapy, and test prep—tools that could close achievement gaps.
I’m not suggesting the bill is perfect. The projected increase in federal deficits is a legitimate concern. But speaking as someone who directly benefited from the kinds of services this bill would support, I believe the educational benefits clearly outweigh the fiscal risks.
Democrats have criticized this bill from every angle—but on this issue, they should give credit where credit is due. Expanding 529 plans directly helps students, especially the most vulnerable. I urge the Democratic Party to break out of its usual opposition and stand up for students by supporting this provision.
To Republican senators: If you are undecided, consider the students the bill could help. 529 accounts were created to expand opportunity. Updating how they can be used would fulfill that purpose for families nationwide.
Trump’s bill finally modernizes 529 plans to support students with real needs, not just vague promises. It’s a bold, necessary move to expand opportunity and remove barriers for families nationwide.
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