# Launch529: 529 plans and college costs (remote · launch529.com)

Compare state 529 plans, look up college costs and check qualified 529 expenses. Free, no key.

- Trust score: 80/100 (high trust)
- Change this week: +3
- Registry status: active
- Liveness: live
- Owner verified: no
- Last scored: 2026-11-05

## Components

- remote · `launch529.com`: 80/100 (this document), [markdown](https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-launch529-open-data/api-public-mcp.md), [page](https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-launch529-open-data/api-public-mcp)

## Channel facts

- Endpoint: `https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp`
- Transports: `streamable-http`
- Auth: `none`
- Version: `1.0.0`

## Trust breakdown

How this component scores in each security and reliability category. Every signal is checked automatically against the live server, and we only credit what we can confirm. Scores are 0–100 per category. Scoring method: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring (what has changed: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring/changelog)

Scored 2026-11-05.

- **Endpoint Security**: 80/100
  - The endpoint's TLS certificate is valid, in date, and uses a strong key.
  - No authorisation is required to call this server. Nothing on it is marked destructive, but we can't show that an anonymous caller can only read: full credit needs the server to list at least one tool and every tool to be verifiably read-only. We use a best-effort check of tool names and descriptions to tell read-only tools from tools that change things, so some genuinely read-only tools may not get full credit. Names that start with a read verb (get, list, read, search and similar) and accurate readOnlyHint annotations help. Meet that to earn full credit, or require authorisation.
  - HTTPS is enforced; there's no plaintext access path.
  - The HSTS (Strict-Transport-Security) header is present.
  - DNSSEC check failed: this domain isn't protected by DNSSEC.
- **Transport & Reachability**: 100/100
  - Verified streamable-http transport via a live MCP handshake.
- **Schema Quality & AI Usability**: 76/100
  - AI-judged instruction clarity (excellent).
  - Context-footprint check failed: tool/resource definitions use about 845 tokens (~120/item across 7 items; 7 tools + 0 resources), over budget; trim descriptions and params.
  - Usage-examples check failed: none of the tools include examples.
- **Stability & Change Management**: 57/100
  - Stability observed for 17 of 30 days with no destabilising changes; credit accrues until the full window elapses.
- **Tool Coverage**: 100/100
  - 100% of tools have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the tool's name).
  - 100% of tool parameters carry a description.
- **Tool Safety**: 100/100
  - No prompt-injection markers were found in the server instructions, tool names or descriptions we captured.
  - We read all 7 captured tool definition(s), and no name or description among them implies an irreversible operation.
  - An AI judge read all 8 captured unit(s) of tool text and found none that tries to manipulate the model reading it.
- **Capabilities**: 60/100
  - Spec-recency check failed: implements MCP spec 2025-06-18; the latest is 2026-07-28.

## Install

### How do I install the Launch529: 529 plans and college costs MCP server?

Launch529: 529 plans and college costs is a hosted endpoint at https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp, so there is nothing to install locally. Ready-made configuration for Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and 5 more is on this page, copied from each client's own documentation.

### Claude

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http com-launch529-open-data 'https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp'
```

### Cursor

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "com-launch529-open-data": {
      "url": "https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "com-launch529-open-data": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Codex

```toml
[mcp_servers.com-launch529-open-data]
url = "https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp"
```

### opencode

```json
{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "com-launch529-open-data": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp",
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}
```

### OpenClaw

```bash
openclaw mcp add com-launch529-open-data --url 'https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp' --transport streamable-http
```

### Hermes

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  com-launch529-open-data:
    url: "https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp"
```

### Netclaw

```json
{
  "McpServers": {
    "com-launch529-open-data": {
      "Transport": "http",
      "Url": "https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Vellum

```bash
assistant mcp add com-launch529-open-data -t streamable-http -u 'https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp'
```

### Other

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "com-launch529-open-data": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

The mcpServers block is a cross-client convention. Remote transports vary, so check your client's docs.

## Changelog

Every change recorded for this component, newest first. Days that predate change tracking, or that we cannot explain, say so: "we were watching and nothing happened" and "we were not watching" are different claims.

### 2026-11-04 (score 80, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 50 to 53. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 15 days of observed history at the previous scan, 16 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-11-02 (score 79, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 43 to 47. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 13 days of observed history at the previous scan, 14 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-31 (score 78, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 37 to 40. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 11 days of observed history at the previous scan, 12 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-29 (score 77, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 30 to 33. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 9 days of observed history at the previous scan, 10 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-27 (score 76, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 23 to 27. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 7 days of observed history at the previous scan, 8 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-25 (score 75, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 17 to 20. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 5 days of observed history at the previous scan, 6 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-23 (score 74, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 10 to 13. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 3 days of observed history at the previous scan, 4 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-20 (score 73, +1)

- [functional improvement] Stability: unverified → 0.03

## MCP tools (7)

### `search_schools` (~82 tokens)

Search colleges

Find colleges and universities by name, in the US and 529-eligible schools abroad. Returns each school's id, location and annual published costs (tuition, room and board, books). Use get_school with the id for cost history and net price.

Input parameters:

- `query` (string, required): Part of the school's name, e.g. 'san diego state'

### `get_school` (~68 tokens)

Get college costs

Details for one US school by id: current sticker price, average net price, net price by family income, cost history since 2005, graduation rate and median earnings. Get the id from search_schools.

Input parameters:

- `school_id` (integer, required): The school's id from search_schools

### `estimate_college_cost` (~195 tokens)

Estimate college savings needed

Project what college will cost and what to save. Give a US school id and the year the student starts. Returns the projected cost per year and in total, and the monthly amount that would fully fund it from today, assuming steady returns after the plan's fees.

Input parameters:

- `annual_return_percent` (number): Expected yearly return before fees as a percent. Default 6.
- `current_savings` (number): Already saved, in US dollars. Default 0.
- `housing` (string): Where the student will live. Default on_campus.
- `monthly_contribution` (number): What is saved each month. Default 0.
- `school_id` (integer, required): US school id from search_schools
- `start_year` (integer, required): First academic year, e.g. 2044 for the 2044-45 year
- `years` (integer): Years of undergraduate study. Default 4.

### `list_529_plans` (~201 tokens)

List state 529 plans

List state 529 savings plans, ranked by popularity and ratings, with fees, Morningstar and Saving For College ratings, state tax benefit and whether residents of other states can join. Filter by state, by plans anyone can open, by maximum yearly fee, or by minimum rating.

Input parameters:

- `direct_sold_only` (boolean): Only plans you can open yourself, without an advisor
- `limit` (integer): How many to return. Default 10, up to 30.
- `max_fee_percent` (number): Highest yearly asset-based fee, in percent, e.g. 0.3
- `open_to_nonresidents` (boolean): Only plans that people from any state can open
- `state` (string): Two-letter state code, e.g. 'UT'. Returns that state's plans.
- `top_rated` (boolean): Only plans with a Morningstar medal or a 4.5+ Saving For College rating

### `get_529_plan` (~74 tokens)

Get a 529 plan

Everything we know about one 529 plan: fees, minimums, investment options, ratings, state tax benefit, restrictions and features. Use the slug from list_529_plans, or the plan's name.

Input parameters:

- `plan` (string, required): A plan slug like 'my529-ut', or part of its name

### `compare_529_plans` (~48 tokens)

Compare 529 plans

Compare two to four 529 plans side by side on fees, ratings, tax benefit, minimums and who can join.

Input parameters:

- `plans` (array, required): Plan slugs or names

### `check_expense` (~64 tokens)

Check if an expense is qualified

Say whether a college expense is a qualified 529 expense (for example 'laptop', 'off-campus rent', 'gas', 'student health insurance') with the reason, based on IRS Publication 970.

Input parameters:

- `description` (string, required): What the money was spent on

## Diagnostics

Captured diagnostic sections: TLS, DNSSEC, Authorisation, Transports. The full working is on the page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-launch529-open-data/api-public-mcp#diagnostics

## Score history

- 2026-11-05: 80
- 2026-11-04: 80
- 2026-11-03: 79
- 2026-11-02: 79
- 2026-11-01: 78
- 2026-10-31: 78
- 2026-10-30: 77
- 2026-10-29: 77
- 2026-10-28: 76
- 2026-10-27: 76
- 2026-10-26: 75
- 2026-10-25: 75
- 2026-10-24: 74
- 2026-10-23: 74
- 2026-10-22: 73
- 2026-10-21: 73
- 2026-10-20: 73
- 2026-10-19: 72

## Common questions

### What is the Launch529: 529 plans and college costs MCP server?

Launch529: 529 plans and college costs is an MCP server listed in the public MCP registry as com.launch529/open-data. Compare state 529 plans, look up college costs and check qualified 529 expenses. Free, no key. This page covers its hosted endpoint (https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp).

### Is the Launch529: 529 plans and college costs MCP server safe to use?

Launch529: 529 plans and college costs scores 80 out of 100 on VerifyMCP. That is a record of what we were able to check automatically, not an endorsement. The category breakdown on this page shows every signal behind the number, including the ones we could not confirm.

### What tools does the Launch529: 529 plans and college costs MCP server expose?

Launch529: 529 plans and college costs exposes 7 tools: search_schools, get_school, estimate_college_cost, list_529_plans, get_529_plan, and 2 more. Their descriptions and schemas cost roughly 732 tokens of context every time the server is loaded.

### Does the Launch529: 529 plans and college costs MCP server require authentication?

No. We connected to Launch529: 529 plans and college costs without credentials and it answered, so anything it exposes is reachable by anyone who knows the address.

### Is the Launch529: 529 plans and college costs MCP server still maintained?

Launch529: 529 plans and college costs is still listed as active in the MCP registry. We last reached this channel on 5 November 2026. Those dates come from our own scans of the registry and the channel itself, not from anything the publisher announced.

### What did VerifyMCP test on the Launch529: 529 plans and college costs MCP server?

VerifyMCP ran 13 checks on Launch529: 529 plans and college costs, covering TLS certificate, Authorization, HTTPS, HSTS header and 9 more. Supply Chain Security and Provenance & Transparency do not apply to a hosted endpoint, so they were not tested. The score does not measure everything, and the scoring documentation lists what it leaves out.

## Links

- Remote endpoint: https://launch529.com/api/public/mcp
- Website: https://launch529.com/connect
- Changelog RSS feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-launch529-open-data/api-public-mcp.xml
- Changelog JSON feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-launch529-open-data/api-public-mcp/changelog.json
- Trust report (JSON): https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-launch529-open-data/api-public-mcp.json
- HTML version of this page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-launch529-open-data/api-public-mcp