<prompt> Human: First off, I have no idea how college funds work so excuse my ignorance. I never had one and neither did anyone else I know. My girlfriend and I would like to start a college fund for her niece. Shes 7 years old. Her parents are complete losers. Didnt graduate high school, have zero ambition to improve themselves, and they even take money out of their daughters piggy bank without saying anything. They also impulsively got a cat recently and make their 7 year old daughter pay for food and litter. So as you can imagine, shes not going to receive much assistance in life. My girlfriend and I both guide her and we believe she has the chance to be succcessful since she enjoys school and receives good grades, but wed like to help her out as much as possible financially since she wont be getting it anywhere else. My girlfriend and I make decent money now and I have a high earnings potential. We want to start saving for it now but I know my girlfriends sister and other family members would feel entitled to the money. Hell, they already feel entitled to the money my girlfriend earns. This would create a problem. If we gave her the money in the future Im sure her mother my girlfriends sister would try demanding some or guilting her into giving her some.Advice would be appreciated.  <response>: Start a 529 plan and designate her as the beneficiary. You own the account, but its earmarked for her education. 