Contribute
There are many ways to build your education savings. Open an account with just $1 and add to it over time. Contribute when it works for your budget, automate savings, receive gifts from family and friends, and take advantage of our cash-back rewards program for an extra boost.
How to contribute
Make recurring or one-time contributions online
After enrolling, simply log in to securely submit contributions from a checking or savings account. Establish recurring contributions to make saving automatic.
The Difference Saving Early Can Make
Start saving at
As you can see in this hypothetical chart, if an account owner began to save $50 a month when a child was 1 year old (with an initial contribution of $250), a 529 college savings plan could potentially have $16,494 in savings by the time the child was college age.
Automatic contributions
The power of automatic contributions
One of the easiest ways to save for education is to make contributions automatically. By setting up recurring contributions, you can add to your savings over time without having to think about it each month. Start with as little as $1, then contribute regularly at a pace that works for your budget. Even small contributions have the potential to add up over time.
How much you can save
Flexible contribution limits
Contribute up to $19,000 annually ($38,000 for married couples) under the federal gift tax exclusion, or up to $95,000 ($190,000 for married couples) for a five-year election. Contributions can continue until your account reaches the program maximum balance limit of $500,000 for START College Saving or $200,000 for START K12.
Ugift®
Invite others to give the gift of savings
Gifting is a secure, simple, and powerful way to help someone save for what matters most.
Ugift® is a free, easy-to-use service that lets friends, family, and other loved ones show their support by contributing directly to a START account.
Share your unique code
Log in to find your personalized gift code and share it with loved ones.
Receive gift contributions
Ugift will guide gifters through a few easy steps to securely contribute directly to your account.
Enjoy the extra savings
Both the gifter and the account owner receive confirmation of a successful contribution.
Upromise®
Use cash back rewards to save
Upromise is a free service that helps families save for college.2 Upromise provides unique opportunities for members to earn cash back rewards for everyday activities such as shopping, dining, paying with the Upromise World Mastercard® and more. Rewards are automatically deposited as contributions to your START account when you reach $50 in rewards.
Join Upromise for free today:
- Earn $5.29 in bonus rewards when you open a new Upromise account.
- Earn an additional $25 in bonus rewards when you link your first START account.
- Earn additional rewards continuously by shopping online through Upromise.com and dining at over 10,000 restaurants nationwide.
- Earn cash back rewards on every purchase with the Upromise World Mastercard.
1The hypothetical example assumes college begins at age 18 and is based on a 5% rate of return compounded daily, and is for illustrative purposes only. It does not reflect an actual investment in any particular 529 plan or taxes, if any, payable upon distribution. Your actual investment return may be higher or lower than that shown.
2Upromise is an optional program offered by Upromise, LLC, is separate from START, and is not affiliated with the state of Louisiana. Terms and conditions apply to the Upromise program. Participating companies, contribution levels, and terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Transfers from Upromise to a START account are subject to a $50 minimum.
The Upromise World Mastercard is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard, World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
© 2026 Barclays Bank, Delaware, PO Box 8801, Wilmington, DE 19801, Member FDIC.
Upromise and the Upromise logo are registered service marks of Upromise, LLC.