Vanguard Makes College More Affordable (The Motley Fool) The Motley Fool - The index-fund-pioneering firm Vanguard is making college more affordable -- by lowering the fees it charges on the 529 plan it runs. Most states offer 529 plans, and you can often participate in the plan of a state other than the one where you live or where your young one will attend college. Thus, the fact that the Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan is sponsored by the state of Nevada shouldn't make you click out of this article. Keep reading.