UPDATED Tuesday to clarify parts of Gov. Brad Little’s speech. 

Idaho’s college savings program celebrated its 25th birthday last week with a new name, a new website and a milestone: $1.1 billion in assets for Idaho families to pay for education expenses.

The new name, Idaho Education Savings Program(opens in new tab), reflects the program’s versatility. Account holders can spend the money tax-free on more than college. Other educational expenses, including private school tuition or homeschooling materials, also qualify. The program was formerly known as the Idaho College Savings Program.

The program retains its shorter name “IDeal” as well.

The program experienced record growth in 2026, with a 34% increase in new accounts and record gifts and contributions to students’ 529 accounts.

Gov. Brad Little took to the Capitol steps for the celebration Friday with IDeal Director Dawn Hall. The governor then spoke about Trump Accounts, touting their benefits as retirement accounts or to use the account funds for a house and more.

Trump Accounts are individual retirement accounts created for children by President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while 529 accounts are specifically for education expenses.

Since IDeal was created in 2001, families have paid $765 million to cover educational expenses from IDeal accounts, the program reported.

Sixteen Idaho companies, including Hayden Beverage Company in Boise, will contribute to their employees’ 529 accounts. Little touted Hayden Beverage in his speech, though he mistakenly said the company contributes to employees’ Trump Accounts.

Also Friday, IDeal invited vendors for a celebration at Cecil D. Andrus Park in front of the Idaho State Capitol Building. IDeal employees handed out trinkets and pastries with the new branding. Signs displayed the benefits of opening a 529 account.