Bold Visa® Debit Card FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions from Bold.org® cardholders.
If you don't see your question here, please visit our Help Center or contact us at contact@bold.org.
The Basics
Students can apply for millions in exclusive scholarships, fellowships, and grants, earn rewards* through the Bold Debit Card, and access resources to navigate their academic and financial journeys. Donors can easily create personalized scholarships or funds in minutes, with 100% of contributions directly supporting students.
With support from thousands of donors, including figures like Terry Crews, Cat Zingano, and Imagine Dragons, Bold.org is transforming access to education by helping students reach their academic goals without a significant burden of student debt.
No, Bold.org does not charge fees to create a profile, apply for scholarships, or use the Bold Debit Card. The Bold Debit Card also has no hidden fees, foreign transaction fees, ATM fees, or annual fees.
We work with highly vetted partner companies that support our operations and allow us to keep Bold.org completely free for applicants and donors.
Yes, the Bold Debit Card is secure to link to an external bank account for transferring funds. It utilizes industry-standard encryption, advanced fraud detection, and multiple layers of security to protect your personal and financial information. Additional features like account monitoring, transaction alerts, and the ability to lock or unlock your debit card provide extra peace of mind. You can also unlink your bank account at any time.
†Funds are FDIC insured, subject to applicable limitations and restrictions, when we receive the funds deposited to your account. Bold.org, Inc. is not itself a bank or a FDIC-insured institution and the FDIC's deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured institution. Pathward, National Association is a FDIC-insured depository institution.
Getting Started
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for and receive a Bold Debit Card.
To activate online, log in to your Bold.org account, navigate to the Banking tab, and select "Activate Card." You'll need to provide the last four digits of your card number and its expiration date. Follow the prompts to complete the process and look out for a confirmation message to ensure the activation was successful.
If you prefer phone activation, call Bold.org's customer service at 833-238-7922. Follow the automated prompts, provide the required personal and account details, and wait for a confirmation message to verify your card is ready to use.
You can also activate your card using the Bold.org mobile app. After signing in, go to the "Card" tab, select the activation option, and enter your card details. Follow the instructions to complete the process and confirm your activation.
Using Your Debit Card
Yes, you can withdraw money from your Bold Debit Card at ATMs, and you can request cashback at stores.
- A debit card transfer typically arrives within minutes.
- A one-time transfer from a bank account usually takes 3-5 business days to process.
- A recurring transfer, which is set up to deposit funds on a regular schedule, also takes about 3-5 business days to complete.
- A Smart Transfer ¶ means a transfer that is initiated when your balance drops below a threshold you set.
Managing Your Account
You can access your Bold Debit Card statements through the Bold.org app or website. Navigate to the “Statements” tab on the website or “Account” then “Statements” on the app, where you can view and download your monthly statements.
To lock or unlock your Bold Debit Card, log in to the Bold.org mobile app or website, go to the "My card" section on the website, and click "Lock your card" or on the app, select the "Card" and toggle the lock/unlock option.
Your routing number and your account number are available in your Bold.org mobile app or on the Bold.org website. Navigate to the "My card" section on the website or the "Account" tab on the app.
Troubleshooting & Support
Yes, you can order a new Bold Debit Card directly from your Banking dashboard on the Bold.org website.
If your Bold Debit Card is lost or stolen, lock it immediately through the Bold.org mobile app or website. Then, report the issue to Bold.org customer service and request a replacement card.
Report any unauthorized transactions immediately by calling 833-238-7922. This number can also be found on the back of your Bold Debit Card.
- Email us at contact@bold.org
- Call us at 833-238-7922 (also listed on the back of your Bold Debit Card).
The Bold Account is a demand deposit account provided by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC. Bold Visa® Debit Card is issued by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Card can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa U.S.A. Inc. Bold.org is a registered trademark of Bold.org, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks belong to their respective owners.
*Rewards, Bold Points, cashback, and student loan payments are not products or services offered or endorsed by Pathward. Pathward does not endorse these offerings.
**Early direct deposits will generally be posted on the day they are received, which may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled payment date. Some direct deposits may not be eligible for Early Pay. Early Pay may be delayed due to fraud prevention screening, system processing, or account restrictions. Get in touch at contact@bold.org with any Early Pay questions.
‡Bold.org publishes and hosts more exclusive scholarships than any other scholarship platform and is the only major scholarship platform to feature integrated banking rewards. Banking rewards are not a Pathward product or service. Pathward does not endorse this offer.
||Receiving a scholarship on the Bold Debit Card is a service provided by Bold.org and is not affiliated with our Bank partners/Pathward®.
¶Smart Transfer is a service offered by Bold.org and is not affiliated with our Bank partners/Pathward®. The service automatically initiates a transfer when the user's account balance reaches the specified threshold, but it does not guarantee an immediate deposit of funds. Transfer times are subject to standard processing periods.
††Scholarship Boost is a service provided by Bold.org and is not affiliated, endorsed, or promoted by our Bank partners/Pathward®.
‡‡The Scholarship Boost feature remains active for one month upon activation. To maintain the activation of Scholarship Boost, a minimum spend of $100 per month is required.