Answer: A federal student loan is taken out with the government and paid back with interest, while a 529 plan is a savings plan designed to save as much money as possible before college.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason behind this is that a federal student loan is a form of financial aid provided by the government to help students pay for their education. These loans need to be repaid, usually with interest, after the student graduates or leaves school.
On the other hand, a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan specifically designed for education expenses. Contributions to a 529 plan can grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are also tax-free. These plans are not loans and do not need to be repaid. They are intended to help families save for future education costs, rather than borrowing money to cover those costs.