To withdraw your 529 funds directly into your Backpack account, you need to add Backpack as a bank / financial institution on your DreamAhead 529 College Investment Plan
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.
Do you use a Financial Advisor?
Financial Advisors are familiar with how to add a new bank account (like Backpack's) to investment accounts and will be able to assist with linking your 529 Plan to Backpack.
To help answer any questions your Financial Advisor might have, you can share this guide with them - What Financial Advisors need to know.
Linking Backpack Account to your Start Saving Program:
Log into your ScholarShare College Savings Plan
Under Settings click “Bank Accounts”
Click “Connect Bank Account”
ScholarShare College Savings Plan uses Plaid to verify your new bank account
Note: Click "Continue as guest" rather than entering a mobile number - this avoids any issues with saved logins or email conflicts (you can read why below)
Search “BACKPACK” in "Select your institution"
Note: DO NOT search / select OMB Bank or Old Missouri Bank. Plaid verification is done directly through Backpack.
Select “Backpack” as your institution"
6. Enter your email address associated with your Backpack account.
7. "Verify your identify" by inputting the verification code sent to the email on file
8. Confirm your Backpack 529 account and click "Continue" to finish linking your Backpack account to College Counts
Congrats you have successfully linked your account!
Why “Continue as Guest” matters
Choosing “Continue as guest” helps ensure a smooth connection, especially if your email is already tied to a different financial institution login. It avoids linking issues and prevents errors due to previously saved credentials.
Withdrawing to your Backpack Account
It’s tuition time! Let’s withdrawal funds from your 529 into your Backpack account so you can make your tuition payment
Log into your DreamAhead 529 College Investment Plan
Under Transfers Select Withdrawals
Follow the steps to select your Backpack account as the withdrawal destination and enter the amount to withdraw