Pay tomorrow’s tuition at today’s prices?

Time Money reports.

Should You Gamble on a Prepaid College Tuition Plan?

Pay tomorrow’s tuition at today’s prices? That sounds like a great deal—and it might be, but only under certain circumstances. Here’s what you need to understand about prepaid 529 plans.

HOW THEY WORK: In about a dozen states you can essentially buy educational credits now, at current prices or with an added premium, for future use at in-state institutions. There’s also one plan, at privatecollege529.com, that lets you prepay for about 300 private schools.