the North Carolina National College Savings Program
Investment Model Portfolios

North Carolina offers one 529 college savings plan, a direct plan called North Carolina’s National College Savings Program.North Carolina’s National College Savings Program is a traditional 529 plan that allows you to invest money today and reap tax benefits when you withdraw it to pay for qualified education expenses.

Investment options of the North Carolina National College Savings Program

Total Available Funds: 11
Asset Class Ticker Description
Others
ROOT CASH Federally-Insured Deposit Account
ROOT CASH North Carolina State Treasurer Dependable Income Fund
Moderate Allocation VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Conservative Allocation VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Conservative Allocation VASIX Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
ROOT CASH Vanguard LifeStrategy Prime Money Market Fund
US EQUITY
LARGE BLEND VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
LARGE BLEND VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
LARGE BLEND VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
Foreign Large Blend VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
FIXED INCOME
Intermediate-Term Bond VBMFX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

Investment model portfolios

We provide two types of investment model portfolios for the North Carolina National College Savings Program participants. You can customize and follow a model portfolio in your plan account.

Types of portfolio strategies

These portfolios are proactively monitored and rebalanced on a monthly basis when needed, ensuring it remains in line with its target allocation.

Let us know (Email us) if you need help to create a custom model portfolio for your plan.

Example model portfolios

The following provides historical returns for example model portfolios with a moderate risk profile (at most 60% in stocks) and their comparison with benchmark index funds. You can customize these portfolios according to your own risk profile.

Strategic Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) strategy.

Name YTD Return 1Yr AR 3Yr AR 5Yr AR 10Yr AR 15Yr AR 20Yr AR Common Inception
the North Carolina National College Savings Program Strategic Asset Allocation – Optimal Moderate NA 6.05% 4.31% 9.12% 6.25% 7.10% 6.67%
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 8.32% 8.91% 18.53% 12.39% 13.02% 10.12%
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 6.30% 4.36% 9.01% 5.84% 6.67% 5.91%
Data as of 03/31/2025, Common starting date is 12/31/2000

Tactical Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) strategy.

Name YTD Return 1Yr AR 3Yr AR 5Yr AR 10Yr AR 15Yr AR 20Yr AR Common Inception
the North Carolina National College Savings Program Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate NA 4.14% 5.67% 11.60% 7.94% 8.40% 8.70%
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 8.32% 8.91% 18.53% 12.39% 13.02% 10.12%
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 6.30% 4.36% 9.01% 5.84% 6.67% 5.91%
Data as of 03/31/2025, Common starting date is 12/31/2000

Asset Allocation Composite Model Portfolio

The following model portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Asset Allocation Composite (AAC) strategy.

Name YTD Return 1Yr AR 3Yr AR 5Yr AR 10Yr AR 15Yr AR 20Yr AR Common Inception
the North Carolina National College Savings Program Asset Allocation Composite Moderate 4.87% 20.16% 14.21% 6.39% 8.61% 7.47% 7.04%
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES) 0.66% 18.70% 21.52% 13.49% 15.39% 13.55% 10.70%
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES) 3.88% 18.57% 14.30% 6.87% 8.64% 7.15% 6.36%
Data as of 02/27/2026, Common starting date is 12/31/2000