Backpack is designed primarily for 529 plan payments, but in many cases, funds from a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) account can also be used to pay educational expenses through Backpack.
Because UTMA accounts are administered by individual financial institutions, the exact steps depend on whether your UTMA provider supports electronic transfers or ACH debits.
Setting Up Your Account
During signup, Backpack will ask you to select a 529 plan provider. If you are using UTMA funds:
Select "Other" from the list of 529 plan providers.
Continue with the standard setup process.
Moving Funds to Backpack
Most UTMA providers support electronic transfers, but how this works varies by institution. There are two common ways to move funds into Backpack.
Option 1: Pull Funds via Backpack (Recommended) If your UTMA account has an account and routing number:
Log in to your Backpack dashboard.
Select Add Money → Bank Transfer on the Backpack Dashboard.
Enter your UTMA account's routing and account numbers directly.
This option is only available if your UTMA provider allows ACH debits.
Option 2: Transfer Funds from your UTMA Provider
If your UTMA provider does not support ACH debits but allows outbound electronic transfers:
Log in to your UTMA provider's online portal.
Initiate a transfer to your Backpack account using your Backpack routing and account details.
Note: We recommend checking with your specific UTMA provider regarding their withdrawal rules and processes, as we cannot provide guidance on account-specific policies.
Making a Payment to the School
Once the funds have successfully arrived in your Backpack account, the process is straightforward. You can send the funds directly to the school whenever you are ready to make a payment. Learn more about how to make Tuition Payment here.
Provider-specific rules
Backpack is not able to advise on UTMA withdrawal rules, tax treatment, or account restrictions. We recommend confirming the following directly with your UTMA provider:
Whether ACH debits are supported
Whether electronic transfers are allowed
Any documentation or approval requirements for education-related expenses
If you’re unsure whether your UTMA account will work with Backpack, feel free to reach out to our support team. We’re happy to help you think through the options before you move funds.