A student checking account with a debit card is a great item to have when going away to college. There are plenty of ATMs around that allow you to take money out of your account without having to pay for an ATM fee. This way you are able to take money out of your account hassle-free no matter where you are! If you are unsure which ATMs are fee-free, check out the Horizon Community Credit Union ATM Alliance website for a complete list of all the participating free ATMs out there.
Another good thing to do before going to college is to enroll in e-statements and set up online banking. Having access to your account online helps you to manage and keep track of your money throughout the year...especially when you’re trying to figure out if you have enough money to buy that late night pizza once a week (trust me, we've all been there)! Knowing how much money you have (or sometimes don't have, right?) can save you from getting costly overdraft charges too!
One last thing to consider that can be helpful when you head off to school is applying for a credit card with a low limit. (Bonus: all of our cards earn Scorecard Rewards points!) It’s always nice to have one on hand in case an emergency comes up. Also, using your credit card here and there helps you build up your credit score. Just make sure that if you do use it, you remember to make your payments on time and you don’t max it out!
Learning how to handle money before you’re out on your own is a step in the right direction of getting through college and being independent. These are all important steps that can help lead to setting up a student’s financial goals and eventually meeting them. If you want more resources or information, don't hesitate to ask a member of our staff!
Post by: Lindsey L
Image courtesy of hywards at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
