Why:
Use this article to learn how to link and withdraw your 529 funds directly into your Backpack account. Hint: you need to add Backpack as a bank / financial institution on your College Counts 529 account.
Benefits:
This easy setup will enable seamless future tuition payments and allow you to spend your 529 on textbooks, laptops, groceries, and more with just one click.
Linking Backpack Account to your College Counts 529:
WARNING: We recommend NOT USING SAFARI browser to access College Counts' website. If you use Safari, you may be unable to complete verification on their website. The popup window for verification may not show on Safari if you do not have content blocking disabled. If you do not have another browser available, see Safari browser troubleshooting tips below.
Adding Banking Information
Log into your College Counts 529 Login
Under “Account” Select “Bank Information”
Click “Add New Bank for ACH”
Enter your Backpack account details into the "Add New Bank for ACH" section.
Routing Number: 086518891
Bank Name: OLD MISSOURI BANK
Note the Bank name should auto-populate when you enter the routing number. Backpack's banking services are provided via OMB Bank, FDIC.
Bank Nickname: "Backpack" or up to you
Bank Account Number: Your Backpack Account Number
Note: Your Backpack Account & Routing numbers can be found on your Backpack Dashboard or under Settings.
Account Owner(s) Name: The name of the Backpack account owner i.e. your name if you created the Backpack account
Bank Account Type: Select "Checking"
Once all information has been entered, click the "Verify" button on the bottom right of the form.
A Popup will surface - Click "OK" to proceed with verification
Note: When you click "OK", a new browser / window will open up. If you see a spinner over the popup, it is because there is another window open for you to perform verification in.
If you're only seeing a spinning wheel and no popup appears, make sure you're not using Safari. Safari’s content blocking settings can prevent the verification popup from loading. To proceed, either disable content blocking or switch to a different browser. See the Safari Troubleshooting Tips below
College Counts 529 used Plaid to connect the account. Click "Continue".
Search “Backpack” in "Select your institution"
Select “Backpack” as your institution
Enter your email address associated with your Backpack account.
"Verify your identify" by inputting the verification code sent to the email on file
Confirm your Backpack 529 account and click "Continue" to finish linking your Backpack account to College Counts
Once you have successfully linked your account, you will be returned to the main page. Click SUBMIT to confirm adding your account.
Your Backpack bank information will appear on your College Counts 529 profile.
Congrats you have successfully linked your account!
Withdrawing to your Backpack Account
It’s tuition time! Let’s withdraw funds from your 529 into your Backpack account so you can make your tuition payment
Log into your College Counts 529 account
Under "Investments", Click “Transact Online”
Click "Withdrawal"
Follow the steps to select your Backpack account as the withdrawal destination and enter the amount to withdraw
That's it. It typically takes 3-4 business days to process your withdrawal request - your investments are liquidated and then transferred electronically to your Backpack account via ACH.
Safari browser troubleshooting tips
If you're using Safari and the Plaid verification window isn’t opening during the CollegeCounts account setup, Safari may be blocking pop-ups or content windows. Here's how to adjust your settings so the window opens properly:
Steps to Allow Pop-Ups in Safari:
Log in to CollegeCounts
Open Safari Settings for This Website
At the top left of your screen, click on Safari in the menu bar.
Select Settings for portal.ubtrust.com... from the dropdown (as shown in the screenshot).
Disable Content Blockers
In the settings window that appears, uncheck the box labeled "Enable content blockers".
This allows Safari to open the pop-up window used for verifying your bank account.
Retry the Bank Verification
Go back to the Bank Information section in CollegeCounts.
Relaunch the bank verification step and the Plaid window should now open correctly.
