State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Nebraska > Chapter85 > 85-1809

85-1809. Ownership rights under participation agreement.(1) A participant retains ownership of all contributions made under a participation agreement up to the date of utilization for payment of higher education costs for the beneficiary. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any amount credited to any account is not susceptible to any levy, execution, judgment, or other operation of law, garnishment, or other judicial enforcement, and the amount is not an asset or property of either the participant or the beneficiary for the purposes of any state insolvency or inheritance tax laws. All income derived from the investment of the contributions made by the participant shall be considered to be held in trust for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) If the program created by sections 85-1801 to 85-1814 is terminated prior to payment of higher education costs for the beneficiary, the participant is entitled to receive the fair market value of the account established in the program, less any assessed refund penalty.(3) If the beneficiary graduates from an institution of higher education and a balance remains in the participant's account, any remaining funds may be transferred as allowed by rule or regulation, subject to the provisions of section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as any other applicable state or federal laws or regulations.(4) The institution of higher education shall obtain ownership of the payments made for the higher education costs paid to the institution at the time each payment is made to the institution.(5) Any amounts which may be paid to any person or persons pursuant to the Nebraska educational savings plan trust but which are not listed in this section are owned by the trust.(6) A participant may transfer ownership rights to another eligible participant, including a gift of the ownership rights to a minor beneficiary. The transfer shall be made and the property distributed in accordance with the rules and regulations or with the terms of the participation agreement.(7) A participant shall not be entitled to utilize any interest in the Nebraska educational savings plan trust as security for a loan.(8) The Nebraska educational savings plan trust may accept transfers of cash investments from a custodian under the Nebraska Uniform Transfers to Minors Act or any other similar laws under the terms and conditions established by the trustee. SourceLaws 2000, LB 1003, § 9; Laws 2001, LB 750, § 5; Laws 2003, LB 574, § 31. Cross ReferencesNebraska Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, see section 43-2701.