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How to Embark

Get Ready with Embark’s Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist.

Before the carpool starts up and you have to relearn the art of packing lunches at 6 AM, there are a few things to do to prepare for the new school year. Embark is here to help you plan ahead and start the year right.

At a glance:

  • Back-to-school season is the perfect time to start thinking about your kid’s future education.
  • Make the new school year a breeze with our 5-step back-to-school to-do list.
  • Then find out how an Embark account can make your kid’s future dreams a reality.

Planning for school and looking ahead.

As you soak up the final days of summer vacation, it’s the perfect time to think about what comes next. Whether your child is starting kindergarten or heading into high school, the back-to-school season is full of excitement, anticipation, and new beginnings. It’s also a natural moment to look a little further ahead and start planning for the milestones still to come, including their future education.

But where do you start? A good back-to-school checklist can help you make the most of summer and prepare for all that lies ahead.

Embark’s top five back-to-school checklist.

Start the school year with less stress and more confidence. Follow our to-do list, and you'll be ready for whatever the first day brings.

1. Open an Embark account.
You knew it was coming. The start of a new school year is the perfect time to plan ahead for everything that comes after your kid graduates from high school. Plus, the sooner you start saving with a 529 plan, the more time your money has to grow and support your kid’s future dreams. Open an Embark account today to check it off your list!

Icon of a computer monitor displaying a rising green bar graph.

2. Find a fresh outfit for the first-day-of-school photo.
Kids want to look their best on the first day of school, and parents want to capture the moment with that annual first-day photo. That means it's time for sweater weather, new kicks, and a fresh backpack. Someday, you'll flip through those photos and smile at the tiny cardigans, questionable fashion choices, and just how quickly they grew up.

Camera icon with orange outline, black lens, and white flash on blue circle.

3. Stock up on school supplies.
Different schools do things differently, but supplies are a classic for every back-to-school checklist. If your school shares classroom supplies, you may be able to pay a flat fee and skip the shopping trip. If not, don’t forget to get the full list from your kid’s future teacher and stock up on markers, pencils, and cute folders with kittens on them.

Orange circular icon featuring a stylized black outline pencil with a pink eraser and green tip.

4. Put name tags and labels on everything.
To a kid, one raincoat looks exactly the same as another. That’s why labeling their clothes, hats, and lunch boxes is a great way to make sure nothing gets forgotten in the lost and found.

Illustration of an orange luggage tag with the name 'Katie' written on it.

5. Set up your transportation plans.
Carpool, bike bus, rocketship… the options are endless. But seriously, it’s important to figure out how your child will get to class before the school year starts. Who wants to be late on their first day?

Simple green car icon with orange headlights on a solid green circular background.

Now take a deep breath, you earned it. Your family will be ready for the school year ahead, and with your new Embark account, you’ll be ready for whatever comes after high school.

“If you're a parent who feels guilty about not starting to save for education yet, give yourself some grace. We are all imperfect human beings and we're all doing our best. Parenting is challenging, and I think it's never too late to start saving for school. Every little bit is going to help pay for a book or maybe a month's tuition or room and board.”

— Stacy, Hillsboro

A few more saving details.

  1. What happens if my kid doesn’t go to college?
    While an Embark account can pay for college, it can cover a whole lot more than that, including community college, trade school, and apprenticeships. And if your kid doesn’t use all their Embark funds, you can change the beneficiary to another family member, roll over the funds into a Roth IRA for your kid’s retirement, and more.
  2. What can the money be used for?
    You can use an Embark account to pay for tuition and fees at a wide range of educational institutions. It can also go towards books, materials, school supplies, computers, and certain room and board expenses.
  3. How much do I need to open an account?
    You can start an Embark account with a $25 contribution. You’ll also need to provide some details about yourself as the account holder, and your child as the beneficiary.
How to Embark

A Guide to Gifting with an Embark 529 Account.

Giving and receiving gift contributions with Embark is easier than ever. Discover the holiday gift that grows with your kid and helps make their dreams possible.

Nov 3, 2026

Take the first step.

The sooner you start saving, the more it pays off.

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