If you do not use all the funds in your account – you have a number of options.
You can leave the funds in the account in the event your beneficiary (or another member of the family) goes back to school at a later date.
You can change the beneficiary to another member of the family for their college expenses.
You can withdraw the funds as a nonqualified withdrawal. The earnings portion (not the amount you contributed) is subject to federal and state income taxes and a 10% federal penalty tax. Alabama tax filers: In the event of a nonqualified withdrawal from the Plan, for Alabama state income tax purposes, an amount must be added back to the income of the contributing taxpayer in an amount of the nonqualified withdrawal plus ten (10%) percent of such amount withdrawn. Such amount will be added back to the income of the contributing taxpayer in the tax year that the nonqualified withdrawal was distributed. Please consult with your tax professional.