College Bound

Heading off to college is an exciting time. For the majority of our children, college represents the first step towards financial independence. This is the first time they’ll really learn how to handle money, when to spend money, and how to budget.

Whether your child is already away or getting ready to go, here are the tools they need to take care of their money today, as well as to start building a solid financial foundation for tomorrow.

Your student needs a checking account to pay tuition, buy books and, of course, for late night pizza runs. Our free checking account has no monthly fees, no direct deposit requirement, and is accessible both online and from a mobile app. Plus, your child will have access to 30,000 free ATMs. So, no matter if your child is looking at community college or has an eye on a big university – you know they won’t waste money on fees.

As a 1st United member, you’ll be able to set up recurring transfers to your child’s 1st United checking account online or by phone – you can even make deposits directly from your paycheck. Transferring money in a pinch is easy too. You can do it online or through your mobile phone and funds will be immediately available to your child.

Many students open their first credit card while in college, usually because they are enticed by a “free” giveaway such as a water bottle or t-shirt. Along with their freebie, they probably will receive a high interest rate and an annual fee.

Be sure to research credit cards with your student and find a low-rate option with no annual fee, such as our Visa Platinum Card which features a low initial limit to help teach responsible spending. With timely payments, they’ll start building their credit. After all, their first car or mortgage loan isn’t that far off.

Additionally, our credit cards offer real-time fraud text alerts that let you know immediately if there is a suspicious transaction. It’s an important safeguard to protect your accounts.

Often overlooked are the basic skills needed to plan and maintain a budget. Students need to understand the importance of monitoring the timing of deposits into their accounts, bill due dates, and the limits of their budget. Work with your child to develop a realistic budget by identifying necessary expenses, such as school supplies and food, and helping them to understand when and how to spend.

With their 1st United account, your child has access to an online Money Manager. Use this tool to create a basic budget, track expenses, and set up alerts when they are nearing spending limits.

College life can be demanding. Luckily, with a little preparation, you can you drive away from campus with a feeling of confidence that your child is on the right path.