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PeopleImages/Getty Images August 10, 2022 René Bennett is a writer for Bankrate, reporting on banking products and personal finance. Karen Bennett is a consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. She uses her finance writing background to help readers learn more about savings and checking accounts, CDs, and other financial matters. Bankrate logo

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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. In college, the learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom. You’ll also be tested when it comes time to find the right place to bank. College students today are often burdened with considerable debt, due to the , which has nearly tripled since 1980. Choosing the right bank account can help students avoid even more financial stress by mitigating bank fees and helping them manage their finances more effectively. “Look at everything that’s available and choose the right account,” says Peter Gwaltney, president and CEO at the North Carolina Bankers Association, who has sent six children to college. “It’s just a tool. And you need to have the right tool for what you want to do and who you are.” Here are five tips to help you choose where to bank while in college.

1 Avoid high bank fees

Look for a bank that offers convenience and either doesn’t charge fees or makes them easily avoidable. Some of the most common account fees — and fees that can be avoided — include: Monthly maintenance fees Fees for falling below a minimum balance requirement ATM fees Overdraft fees When it comes to monthly fees, there are plenty of banks that either don’t charge them at all or waive the fee when certain requirements are met, such as maintaining a certain balance or setting up direct deposits for the account. Make sure you can meet these requirements, or look for an account with more tenable requirements. It should be easy to find an ATM when you need cash, but make sure your bank reimburses some or all out-of-network . If not, find a bank that has an ATM nearby. ATM fees average $4.59 for each out-of-network withdrawal, according to . Making withdrawals several times a month can add up in costs if you don’t have an account with ATM fee reimbursements or convenient in-network ATM access. Another way to avoid fees to access cash is at the store, Gwaltney says. Many grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies let you receive a limited amount of money from your account when you make a purchase using your debit card. The withdrawal amount will be added to your total debit purchase. Finally, be mindful of overdraft fees — some of the most lofty bank fees, which can often be more than $30 per overdraft. These fees are more likely to affect those with less money in their accounts, as reported by the . If you’re a college student living paycheck to paycheck, you might not even realize you don’t have enough funds to cover an expense and end up getting charged. Many banks and credit unions, such as Ally Bank and Capital One, have taken steps to significantly altogether.

2 Consider online banks

For some, branch access may not be as important as ease of online access and cutting-edge technology. Plus, managing day-to-day affairs through digital means is often what’s familiar to younger people. Paul Collinson, CFP, a founder of Legacy Planning Advisors in Virginia, recently helped his two children find bank accounts while in college. “What has been important is a robust ATM/debit card paired with account access via cell phone and laptop,” he says. A considerable advantage of is they generally come with fewer fees and lower minimum balance requirements. However, it’s still important to look for accounts with in-network ATM access nearby or ATM fee reimbursements so you can take out cash without getting charged those out-of-network ATM fees. Some other are whether it has federal insurance, what rates are offered and the availability of a user-friendly mobile app.

3 Look for paired savings accounts

“Also important is that the bank pairs the checking account with one or more savings accounts,” Collinson says. “That way the kids have an opportunity to explore the concepts of setting funds aside for near and for long-term goals.” Having a and at the same bank can make managing finances more convenient. Both accounts can be accessed in the same place, transfers can be made easily between the two, and there may be special features that come with having both accounts at the same bank. One common feature, for example, is , which analyzes customers’ finances to determine how much can be automatically saved each month. Frequently, customers need to have both their checking and savings accounts with the same bank to take advantage of this tool. Another reason to consider savings and checking accounts at the same bank is that it may allow you to waive fees. At , for instance, the Momentum Savings account has a $5 monthly fee, but this fee is waived for customers who also have a checking account with Fifth Third.

4 Research student accounts

As a college student, you’re not likely to keep large balances at your bank. That’s why some banks offer students accounts without a minimum balance requirement. Many traditional banks offer , which generally don’t have maintenance fees and are typically available for students under 24 years old. You may need to prove that you’re a student to get one of these accounts. Even though student checking accounts usually don’t have fees and balance requirements, be sure to read the account’s terms and conditions. Also, make sure you understand when the account will convert into a standard checking account. It may start automatically charging a monthly fee once the student qualification rule expires. “I think that folks should be looking at the fine print just to understand, ‘How does this work?’ And parents should be looking at it with their students,” says David Principe, a certified financial planner and wealth manager at SageBroadview Financial Planning, who has two children in college. In some cases, a student account may have all the features you’re looking for. But it’s smart to research other options with low balance requirements and ATM accessibility.

5 Understand the account features

Before you open an account, make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions. Minimum balance requirements and overdraft policies are two of the most important things to note. Decline overdraft services if you have a proper backup plan in place and ask about what happens when a transaction is declined. A can cover you in an emergency, though it’s important to be careful with credit card use. Savings overdraft protection, which transfers money from your savings account to back up your checking account, may have a lower fee than standard overdraft. Also consider common transactions you’ll be making, such as receiving money from your parents and sending money to a roommate or friend. See what tools are offered for conducting these transactions. Many banks’ mobile apps come with Zelle for . See the Many banks and credit unions also offer online or . This allows you to deposit checks without going to a branch, and it is especially helpful if you choose a bank that doesn’t have branches nearby. While it’s important to prioritize finding a bank where you won’t pay loads of fees and that’s easy to access, the unique features of an account can make or break your decision to open it. These features are what ultimately help you manage your money and can add convenience to doing everyday transactions, including depositing checks. SHARE: René Bennett is a writer for Bankrate, reporting on banking products and personal finance. Karen Bennett is a consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. She uses her finance writing background to help readers learn more about savings and checking accounts, CDs, and other financial matters.

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