529 rules for non-citizen children

[Sunset]

We are US Citizens, the non-citizen is a child.

We have a relative in Canada with a child, that is the one we would like to help in 15 or so years.

I have checked and 529's can be used for many foreign Universities in Canada (which is what they call Colleges up there).

So clearly, a US citizen can fund a 529, and the US citizen child can go to Canada to study.

What I cannot find out is, does this apply when the only difference is the child is Canadian Citizen.

 

[ocean view]

I believe the beneficiary needs a SSN

 

[Meadbh]

Or you could set up an RESP in the child’s name.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/savings.html

 

[Sunset]

Or you could set up an RESP in the child’s name.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/savings.html

These are pretty good. Really a bonus that gov't does some matching grant.

Only disadvantages are: requires coordination with others as the gov't grant is limited.
If child does not use it, cannot transfer it to another, have to cash out an pay taxes and lose the grants.

 

[Sunset]

I believe the beneficiary needs a SSN

I'm thinking a ITIN would work instead.

Hoping still someone who has done this or tried can enlighten us.

Binging gets me lots of non-citizen parents doing it for their citizen child, so cannot find my situation.

 

[NYEXPAT]

I'm thinking a ITIN would work instead.

Hoping still someone who has done this or tried can enlighten us.

Binging gets me lots of non-citizen parents doing it for their citizen child, so cannot find my situation.

If they file a US tax return, they can be issued a ITIN. Otherwise, I do not believe they can get one.