529 college savings plans are typically thought of as plans used by parents of young children as a vehicle for college savings, as well as qualified education expenses, which include tuition and fees, books, room and board, computers, and more. The funds can also be used for tuition at eligible public, private and religious K-12 schools, up to $10,000 per year, per beneficiary. However, they also can play a significant role as part of an individual's estate plan.