Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Gift of Education?
The Gift of Education is an online gift registry geared toward educational savings. Instead of registering for toys and other gifts with a short life span, you can register an existing educational savings account with TGOE. Friends and family can then contribute securely and directly to the account online.
What are the benefits of using The Gift of Education?
The Gift of Education takes the guesswork out of what to give for special occasions. No more wrapping paper, frantic trips to the store, no unwanted gifts. A few button clicks and you have given someone a gift that is truly meaningful AND enduring. See How It Works
Can I only register an account for college?
No. You can register any account you have set up for educational savings. It can be an account for preschool, elementary school, high school or college.
What types of accounts can I register?
You can register any account. For example, a 529, a mutual fund or a savings account can all be registered with TGOE. As long as the account accepts deposits, you can register it with TGOE. Families save in different ways; it’s up to you to determine what type of account to open. Once the account is opened, you can register that account with TGOE.
Can I register more than one child?
Yes, you can register all your children under a single login and user name. A separate history will be saved for each child and his or her gifts.
Will people be able to see my child/student's bank account information?
No. The bank account information you register with The Gift of Education will not be public.
Is my personal and financial information secure?
Yes. The Gift of Education always transmits your personal and financial information securely with High-grade 256-bit SSL encryption. Our SSL Certificate is provided by VeriSign, the industry leader for secure online transactions. Additionally, a personal login and password is needed to access the information.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. The Gift of Education always transmits your personal and financial information securely with 256-bit SSL encryption. Additionally, The Gift of Education does not store your credit card information. We subscribe to authorize.net, a world-wide leader in secure financial transactions. Click here to view their privacy policies.
Why does TGOE need the physical address of the bank or financial institution?
The physical address of the bank or financial institution is necessary in the fund transfer process. The physical address is mandatory when setting up your account with The Gift of Education. Inaccurate information will result in delays to the transaction process.
How long will it take for contributions to reach my bank or financial institution?
It may take up to 10 to 14 business days for contributions to post to your bank account. It may take longer depending on your bank or financial institution.
Why do you need to know the minimum deposit?
Most 529, mutual funds, etc., have minimum deposits ranging from $15 to $1000. If you are registering an account with The Gift of Education that has a $50.00 minimum (as an example), we need to let people know. Otherwise, if a person makes a donation and the amount is less than the minimum, there will be a delay in getting the money to the child's account.
What do you recommend if my child's account has a high minimum deposit?
Consider setting up a savings account. Savings accounts are easy to set up and usually have low minimum deposits. You can always transfer the money into another educational fund later.
Can I use an account from a foreign or overseas bank?
No. The Gift of Education will not send money overseas.
What are the fees associated with using The Gift of Education?
There is no fee to register your child/student. There is a handling charge with each contribution. Please see our Fees chart.
What dollar amounts can I give?
$15, $20, $25 $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250, $300, $350, $400, $450, $500
What is the minimum amount I can give through The Gift of Education website?
$15.00 minimum
What is the maximum amount I can give through The Gift of Education website?
$500.00 per day
Is it possible to get a refund?
No. Once a payment has been processed and sent to the child or student's bank account, it cannot be reversed. If you have a concern or are experiencing complications, please email us at info@thegiftofeducation.com. We will respond promptly to your question.
Does The Gift of Education have affiliations with the selected financial institutions or fund managers?
No. The Gift of Education does not have an affiliation with any financial institution or fund manager. We do not receive monetary incentives (kickbacks) from financial institutions or fund managers.
Account and Login Information
Will my contact information be shared?
No. The Gift of Education does not share or sell client information.
What if I forget my password?
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it and a new password will be emailed to the address on the account.
How do I cancel my account?
You can cancel your account by contacting customer service at info@thegiftofeducation.com.