You need to add Backpack as a new bank / financial institution to your 529 account. This is how you'll be able to seamlessly withdraw funds directly into your Backpack account, making them available for use.

Don’t worry, this is a one time setup, making future tuition payments and the ability to spend your 529 on Textbooks, laptops, groceries and more a one-click process.

Below is a overview of how to add Backpack as a new bank. For detailed, step-by-step instructions specific to your 529 plan, see our full list of 529 Linking Guides.

Here's an overview of what you need to do:

Some 529s link to this directly on the home page, for others you'll find it under your profile / settings.

Once you click to add a new Bank or Financial Institution in your 529 Portal, a screen will appear asking for your new bank's account and routing number information. This is where you will enter your new Backpack account information, so that you can add Backpack as a new withdrawal method from your 529 Plan.

You can find your Backpack account and routing numbers on your Backpack dashboard (see screenshot below) or on the Settings Tab. For more information on how to locate your Backpack Account & Routing numbers see here.

In your 529, initiate a withdrawal to your Backpack account.

Note: Some 529 Plans will allow you to immediately withdraw funds to Backpack. Others may have a waiting period of up to 15 days (e.g. Florida 529). Others will require you to validate by making micro deposits to your Backpack account (e.g. Utah 529). So it's important to link your 529 to Backpack as soon as you can and complete the steps specific to your 529 plan before making a withdrawal.