When to set up bank account for college?

Milkmagn · 06-12-2008, 11:40 PM

I was wondering when I should set up a bank account for my college expenses? Apparently some people tell me that banks offer special offers to students when they arrive on campus, but thats a few months away. I will also be working this summer.

AUlostchick · 06-13-2008, 12:13 AM

Do you not already have a bank account to put your paychecks and stuff in? I would suggest getting an account at a bank which has both a branch in your hometown and at your school, which will make things alot easier when you go home.

BronxBombers7 · 06-13-2008, 10:49 AM

Find out what bank(s) have branches or at least ATM's on the campus of the school you'll be going to and open an account with that bank. I'd recommend opening it asap so you can get used to using debit/credit/check cards and online banking - which is so clutch in college - before you get there.

OKgirl · 06-13-2008, 10:53 AM

So if the campus has an ATM you can use, then you don't really need to open a bank account there? I'll only be living about an hour away from home and won't have to worry about a paycheck or anything.

chuy · 06-13-2008, 10:55 AM

The thing about the ATM is it may cost you money to make withdrawls if you're not a member of a certain bank. That $3 a withdrawl adds up. So you want to see what ATMs they have there so you can become a member of an affiliated bank. You should be getting free checking wherever you open an account, though, so just see who has ATMs on campus. Make sure you get free checking though, with a debit card.

Milkmagn · 06-13-2008, 11:33 AM

What about the offers the banks give to students when they arrive on campus?

Venkat89 · 06-13-2008, 02:11 PM

I didn't see any offers when I arrived on campus. You want to go to your school's forum on CC and ask them which banks have the most ATMs on campus. It's nice to have a branch on campus too for getting rolls of quarters for laundry, but not necessary. From those, see which ones have a branch closest to your house so you can make deposits while at home. Also, try to make a joint account with your parents so you can use their account for overdraft protection and so if you are running low on cash you can have them shift some money in your account.

chuy · 06-13-2008, 02:22 PM

If you can be responsible with it you should get a credit card to go along with the bank account and just pay it off at the end of every month. It's easier to track your money and you don't have to worry about overdrafts.

HisGraceFillsMe · 06-13-2008, 02:46 PM

I did what venkat said...I found out what bank the campus has when I went up for a visit over spring break. Luckily, there's also a branch right down the street from my house. We were able to set up a joint account with me and my dad, that way they can transfer me money to me if I need it. (I'm living about an 8-hour drive away, so it'll be nice to have that ease of transfer.)

You definitely want an account...those ATM charges build up quickly.

fabrizio · 06-13-2008, 10:44 PM

I opened my checking account on the first week of school. Even though the bank I use has no branch at my home, there is a branch right across the College of my major. This is the primary reason why I chose this particular bank; I’ve found it’s very convenient to make a deposit on the way to class. The bank that does have a branch at my home is located a fair bit away from both my dorm and my major’s college.

Like AUlostchick said, see if there are any nearby branches of banks that are also located in your home. Then, just open an account at your home branch as branches don’t discriminate.

Whatever you do, don’t do what my friend did. He already had a savings and a checking account with bank X at his hometown, but he opened another savings and another checking account with same bank X the first week of school.