Illinois First Steps

Claim Your Illinois First Steps Seed Deposit

To get started with your claim, please provide responses to the questions below:

1) Were you a resident of the state of Illinois at the time of birth or adoption of the Beneficiary?
2) Are you the Parent or Legal Guardian of the Beneficiary?
3) Is the Beneficiary under the age of ten (10)?
4) Was the Beneficiary born or adopted in 2023 or after?

We’re sorry, your claim cannot be submitted. Please review the Illinois First Steps eligibility requirements below:

  1. Child named as the Beneficiary of the Illinois 529 account was born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023
  2. Parent must be a resident of Illinois at the time of birth or adoption of the eligible child
  3. Account Owner of the Illinois 529 account is the parent or legal guardian of the child

You can still open an account and make contributions of your own to help your child reach their educational goals. Your financial advisor can assist with setting up a Bright Directions 529 college savings plan account. Get started today!