Most banks have free student checking. Start with the bank(s) most convenient for you (in terms of branches and ATMs) and ask.
There is, right at Honnold/Mudd Library (OP stated Pomona College). (Assuming a CU that is part of the Co-Op network)
I agree that they are not needed as much anymore. I do most of my payments online or via credit card too, but there are still some occasions where I need a check and I probably write 4 or 5 a month. But I agree, a college student, probably even less.
I want to say that my kids are just like Romani. They do not go to the bank. They never have cash.
I moved 6 years ago. I never got around to changing my bank and the nearest branch is over 100 miles away. I have no need to physically go to the bank. I get cash when I go to the grocery store and deposit the odd check with the app. The only time I needed to go to a branch in the last year was when my card was hacked and I needed a new charge card. I could have had the card sent to me but I went to the branch to get new cards issued.
Before there was an app, it took my kids forever to deposit the odd check. If I have to send them money, I PayPal it to them. I know that sounds crazy but they do not bank like I do nor do they want to.
My young adult kids do not go to the CU much but DO need checks for rent payments and a few other things. They do like having reimbursement of ATM fees. When they socialize with others and everyone chips in cash, it’s easier than if everyone wants to use charge cards. Some of the places they go (farmers markets, small take out places) only take cash.
I have a 70+ year old friend who says he hasn’t used a check in over 3 years and he rarely uses charge cards either. He likes cash. Personally, I’m uncomfortable having large amounts of cash around, but we’re all different.
I use checks for gifts, paying some bills that don’t take CCs, and some small businesses who plead they’re squeezed by the CC companies when folks charge.
Now that my kids are post college, they have all of their bills set up to auto pay. I know my D rents a condo and sends her a check. But it’s a check that she has sent on line. She doesn’t write any checks. My S has his rent set up to pay electronically. They do not write any personal checks ever.
D’s landlords have accepted checks only.
My old apartment only accepted checks too… but I’m confused as to why that is relevant. Do checking accounts exist which don’t give you a free checkbook?
I believe there are places which require you to buy your own checks. I have purchased checks over the years.
Right, I understand subsequent check books but the first one (or few) are usually free. Despite having to write checks for my rent in undergrad, I have only gone through one checkbook since high school.
Our bank will send a check to anyone…as part of our online banking service.
My kids pay rent electronically…both via automatic withdrawal.
When my son started college we opened up a checking account for him that is “under” our accounts. Now that the has a we opened up a savings account too. The thing is that both of his accounts are one way accounts. Meaning that I can move money to and from his accounts but he can not pull money from ours. Ours is at Chase.
The good thing for my son is that I transfer money into his checking account so he can pay certain college expenses. If his account wasn’t linked then I would have to pay those things myself.
My kids have never ordered additional checkbooks from the free ones they got when opening their accounts years ago. They really don’t use checks as much as I do. I prefer checks, to prove I made the payment and have a “paper trail.” I guess I’m showing my age. Whoops!
My kids all have checking accounts a t Wells Fargo. I don’t have an account there but I have branches in my area. I can walk in and deposit money into their accounts but can’t see the balance or take money out. It beats sending a check that they take months to cash.
Of my three, 2 of them never go inside the bank. They use the app to make deposits. Debit card for most purchases instead of cash. They rarely have any cash on them. My oldest will go into the bank to make deposits but she is not typical for her age. It drives me crazy that none of my kids carry any cash.
All of mine use checks for rent. My youngest has a horse and she goes through a lot of checks. Farrier, vet, trainer , shows and board all only take checks. Otherwise I think my oldest are still using the free checks.
A tale of having no cash. My D and a teammate were traveling to a horse show in the Bay Area. They made a wrong turn and ended up having to cross the Bay Bridge in SF with a horse trailer. They pulled up to the toll booth with no money. Both girls did not even have a few dollars on them. They asked of the toll booth took a check or credit card. She ended up with getting a huge bill in the mail. The toll which for a horse trailer is a lot plus a huge fine.
My MIL until about a year ago was still writing checks at the grocery store.