Getting Started with Bright Start is Easy
Once you’re ready to start saving, gather the following key items you will need to open your account. With these things in hand, the sign-up process will be quick and easy.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
About You
- Name, address, date of birth
- Social Security number or taxpayer identification number of the account owner
- Phone number and email address
About Your Beneficiary
- Beneficiary’s name, address, date of birth
- Social Security number or taxpayer identification number
About Your Bank
- Bank account information
- Routing number for initial and automated contributions (optional)
About Your Investments
- Visit our Investment Options section
- Read the Bright Start Program Disclosure Statement
- Be sure to consider all investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing.
About Your Successor (optional, but recommended)
- Successor’s name and address
- Date of birth
- Phone number
Open a Bright Start Account
Tax advantages, account flexibility, low costs, and quality investment options are some of the benefits offered by a Bright Start 529 Account.
You can also
Already Start an Application?
Continue your Bright Start 529 enrollment. It’s quick and easy, and you can start contributing right away! Finish Application
Roll Over Your Existing 529 Funds
Download a rollover form to move funds from an existing out-of-state 529 plan to Bright Start. Download Rollover Form
Additional Resources
Bright Start is dedicated to helping you plan the best path to higher education for your family.
We are pleased to offer the following tools to assist you in planning for college:
The Bright Start Direct-Sold College Savings Program is sponsored by the State of Illinois and administered by the Illinois State Treasurer, as Trustee. Union Bank & Trust Company serves as Program Manager. Balances in your Bright Start account are not guaranteed or insured by Bright Start, the State of Illinois, the Illinois State Treasurer, any other state or federal agency, Union Bank & Trust Company or any of its affiliates, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (except as provided in the Program Disclosure Statement solely with respect to the FDIC-insured bank deposit Underlying Investment), or any other entity.
An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other important information is contained in the Bright Start Direct-Sold College Savings Program Disclosure Statement which can be obtained at BrightStart.com and should be read carefully before investing. You can lose money by investing in a portfolio. Each of the portfolios involves investment risks, which are described in the Program Disclosure Statement.
Before you invest, consider whether your or the beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in that state’s 529 plan.
NOT FDIC INSURED* | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE
*Except the Bank Savings Underlying Investment