Saving for Education

No matter the level of education you’re saving for—primary, secondary or higher education—by opening a tax-free Navy Federal Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) Certificate,1 you can reach your education savings goals faster.

Why Open a Certificate?

  • Earn guaranteed returns
  • Choose from a variety of terms
  • Enjoy flexible minimum deposit amounts.

APY as high as

3.000%2

 

Minimum deposit as low as

$50

Terms available

3 Months to 7 Years

Explore Our Accounts

Education Savings Certificate (ESA)

Create an education savings plan to best fit your needs at your choice of term length, plus earn at a locked-in rate with an ESA Certificate.

Features:

  • Variety of term lengths
  • No maximum purchase amount
  • Earn tax-free if used for qualified education expenses

Best For:

  • Members who want to earn at a higher rate
  • Members who don't need flexible access to savings
  • Members who are interested in making a single deposit

APY 3

as high as

1.05%

Minimum Deposit

as low as

$1,000

Term

3 Months to 7 Years

Open Now an education savings certificate
Term $1K Minimum APY $10K Minimum APY $20K Minimum APY $50K Minimum APY $100K Minimum APY
3 Months 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.45%
6 Months 0.45% 0.45% 0.45% 0.45% 0.50%
9 Months 0.50% 0.50% 0.50% 0.50% 0.55%
12 Months 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.60%
18 Months 0.60% 0.60% 0.60% 0.60% 0.65%
24 Months 0.65% 0.65% 0.65% 0.65% 0.70%

Rates as of Jan 12, 2021 ET.

Term $1K Minimum APY $10K Minimum APY $20K Minimum APY $50K Minimum APY $100K Minimum APY
3 Years 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.85%
4 Years 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.90%
5 Years 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.05%
6 Years 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.05%
7 Years 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.05%

Rates as of Jan 12, 2021 ET.

Education Savings EasyStartSM Certificate

Enjoy building savings quickly and easily with an ESA EasyStart Certificate, offering a low minimum purchase and flexible term lengths.

Features:

  • Add money anytime4
  • No maximum purchase
  • Open multiple certificates

Best For:

  • Members who want to build up their savings
  • Members who are looking for a variety of terms or laddering 
  • Members who want to add money at anytime

APY 2

as high as

0.60%

Minimum Deposit

as low as

$50

Term

6 Months to 24 Months

Open Now an ESA EasyStart Certificate
Term APY
6 Months 0.40%
12 Months 0.50%
18 Months 0.55%
24 Months 0.60%

Education Savings Special EasyStart Certificate

Do you have direct deposit into your Navy Federal checking account? If so, take advantage of special rates and low minimum purchase with our ESA Special EasyStart Certificate.

Features:

  • Add money anytime4
  • $3,000 maximum purchase
  • Requires checking and direct deposit
  • Limit one per primary account holder

Best For:

  • Members who want to start saving quickly
  • Members who want to take advantage of a special rate
  • Members who want to add money at anytime

APY 5

as high as

3.00%

Minimum Deposit

as low as

$50

Term

12 Months

Open Now an ESA Special EasyStart certificate

Education Savings 3-Year Variable Rate Certificate

The 3-year variable rate certificate keeps up with market changes by adjusting your rate on the 12- and 24-month anniversaries of your purchase.

Features:

  • Rates that automatically adjust each year
  • Add money on the 12- and 24-month anniversaries of your purchase4
  • No rate ceiling
  • Your rate will never fall more than 0.50% of the original rate

Best For:

  • Members who want to leverage changes in the market
  • Members who are able to commit to a longer term
  • Members who want to add money annually

APY 6

as high as

0.42%

Minimum Deposit

as low as

$500

Term

3 Years

Open Now an ESA 3-year variable certificate

Education Savings Accounts

All of Navy Federal’s education savings plan are Coverdell ESAs. Learn more about these accounts and how they compare to 529 Plans.

Learn More about Coverdell ESAs and 529 Plans.

Want More Information About Saving?

Explore our resources at Navy Federal's Savings Learning Center.

Learn More Visit the Savings Learning Center.

Savings Resources

View Moresavings resources

Disclosures

1

Early withdrawals may have tax consequences, in addition to early withdrawal penalties or surrender charges. Consult a tax professional for more information.

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2

This APY is accurate as of 01/12/2021. This APY is an annualized rate that reflects estimated earnings based on the dividend rate and frequency of compounding. Dividends compounded daily, credited monthly. Penalties may apply for early withdrawals from certificate accounts. Offering rates may change.

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3

Penalties apply for early withdrawals from certificate accounts. Offering rates may change. This APY is accurate as of 01/12/2021.

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4

Contributions can be made up to the maximum annual deposit amount of $2,000 per child per year.

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5

Limit one Special EasyStart Certificate per member. Navy Federal reserves the right to end or modify this offer at any time. Penalty for early withdrawal. The Special EasyStart Certificate has a $50 minimum balance and a $3,000 maximum balance. Additional deposits are allowed at any time, subject to the maximum balance. Certificate owner(s) age 18 and older must have Direct Deposit of Net Pay or payroll allotment and a Navy Federal checking account within 90 days of the certificate issue date. If these requirements have not been satisfied by the 90th day, your Special EasyStart Certificate dividend rate will be reduced to the prevailing dividend rate of the 12-month EasyStart Certificate for the remainder of the certificate’s term. 

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6

Rates for 3-Year Variable Rate Certificates adjust each year on the anniversary date of the purchase. Penalties apply for early withdrawals from certificate accounts. Offering rates may change. This APY is accurate as of 01/12/2021.

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