Student checking accounts come with a number of features and perks that make it easier for college students to manage their money and build a banking history. These accounts typically have built-in automation tools that help you develop better saving habits, pay bills on time, and avoid overdrafts. You’ll also get access to a debit card that’s linked to your account and can be used to purchase anything in person or online without using cash.
Several established banks offer student checking accounts. Each one has its own distinct features and benefits that may be different from others. Some may have a minimum age requirement. Others may limit the number of years you can be in school, after which you’ll lose your eligibility.
What To Look For In A Student Bank Account
The best student bank accounts will have these features:
- Fee-free banking
- Low or no opening banking requirement
- No balance requirements
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Flexible account access
- Online and mobile banking options
- An extensive ATM network
- No ATM fees
- An ability to continue or convert the account after leaving school
Not all of these features are absolutely essential for a student checking account. However, they do add to the convenience and be the deciding factor for you depending on your circumstances.
We’ve put together the 10 best student checking accounts of 2023, based on their features, benefits, interest rates and fees,
10 Best Student Bank Accounts
1. Chase College Checking Account
Chase College Checking Account comes with a wide range of tools and resources that make it easy for college students to manage their money independently. Students pay $0 annual fee and $0 monthly service fee for up to 5 years. There’s no minimum deposit requirement, which means you can open a college checking account at Chase with $0.
The Chase Mobile app takes banking convenience and security to the next level with features such as budget planning, keeping track of your money, an auto-saving option, and instant locking if your card is lost. The app also allows you to monitor your credit score.
Students between 18 and 24 years can open a Chase college checking account online after submitting proof of student status. 17-year-old students and students without a Social Security Number have to go to the branch personally with proof of student status to open an account.
Account holders can pay and get paid quickly with Zelle. No waiting for days and no fees to receive or send money to anyone, any time.
2. Chime Checking Account
Chime makes it easy for students to open a checking account online without an opening deposit and no credit check requirement. These two factors effectively remove any barriers that students typically face when opening a checking account. No matter how tight your budget or how thin your credit history, you can open a Chime checking account provided that you can submit proof of your student status.
Other student-friendly features include no minimum balance requirement, no monthly service fees, no manual fee, and $0 overdraft up to $200 on Chime debit card purchases. You can also get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit and can deposit checks from anywhere by just snapping a photograph of the check.
Chime’s award-winning mobile banking app features a variety of tools that make it easier than ever for you to manage your money 24/7. You can get real-time transaction alerts, personalize your security settings, disable transactions if you lose your debit card, and protect against unauthorized charges – all within the mobile app itself. The automatic savings feature encourages you to set money aside to meet your savings goals.
3. Discover Cashback Debit Account
One of the most notable features of the Discover Cashback Debit account is the ability to earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases every month. This is on top of the $0 monthly service fee, $0 annual fee, and $0 minimum balance requirements. With the Discover Cashback Debit account, you’ll also get fee-free overdraft with overdraft protection.
As an account holder, you’ll get access to a digital wallet and Zelle for person-to-person payments. You can also get paid up to two days earlier by simply setting up direct deposit for your online checking account
The Discover App allows you to complete all banking transactions from your mobile phone. It has built-in tools for fraud protection, auto savings, and easy access to cash from your checking account at any ATM.
4. Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking Account
The Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking checking account is a smart choice for you if you meet these two requirements:
- You must be below 25 years of age.
- You must also be enrolled in a 4-year school or a vocational or educational program.
Enrolled students who are younger than 25 years pay $0 maintenance fee to hold a checking account in this bank. In addition, student account holders pay $0 annual fee, have $0 minimum balance requirements and $0 overdraft.
The Mobile Banking app, together with Zelle, allows you to send money to almost anyone anywhere within minutes, even if the recipient is not a Bank of America customer.
5. Truist Student Checking Account
Truist is one of the best student checking accounts for students who are 25 years old or younger. There are no annual fees, no overdraft fees, no monthly maintenance fees and no transfer fees. There are also no minimum deposit or minimum balance requirements. In addition, the personal check and ATM fees may be waived for account holders who submit documents supporting their student status.
The Truist app offers the ultimate in banking convenience with the ability to transfer funds, deposit checks, and add your debit card to your smartphone’s digital wallet. Setting up text alerts helps you set up autopay and stay up to date on authorized as well as unauthorized transactions.
6. U.S. Bank Student Checking Account
The U.S. Bank Student Checking Account offers students a smart financial solution with several innovative features. Students 18 years and above can open an individual account within minutes with a minimum deposit of $25. Students who are below the age of 18 will have to open a joint account with a parent or other adult. All account holders below 18 years old receive these benefits:
- $0 monthly maintenance fee
- $0 overdraft fees when overdrawn $50 or less
- $0 overdraft protection transfers made from eligible linked U.S. Bank deposit account
- $0 ATM fees for transactions done at U.S. Bank ATMs and first four 4 transactions done at non-U.S. Bank ATMs
As soon as your account is opened, you should enroll in the U.S. Bank Smart Rewards program. This is a generous rewards program that enables you to earn greater rewards as your total balances grow.
7. Ally Bank Interest Checking Account
Ally Bank was launched with the idea of rewarding account holders for banking with them, not the other way around. While the Ally Bank Interest Checking Account is not specifically designed for students, it offers several terms, conditions, and features that make it student-friendly.
Ally Bank Interest Checking Account has no monthly maintenance fees, no annual fees, and no overdraft fees. You won’t pay any fee on withdrawals made through any one of 43,000+ no-fee Allpoint ATMs. If you have a direct deposit facility, you can get paid up to 2 days earlier. Spending buckets, which are a popular feature of this student checking account, help you to stay ahead of your expenses.
You don’t need an additional banking app to send or receive money from family and friends. You can use Zelle to do this quickly, easily, and safely without any extra apps. To deposit checks using your cell phone, all you need to do is take a photograph of the check.
8. Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account
When you’re looking for the best student checking accounts, check out Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account. This is a fee-free bank account that’s specially designed for teens.
Teenagers are exempt from paying any fees to open an account, keep money in their account, or use money from their account. There are no monthly or annual fees and no minimum balance requirements. Teens also pay $0 to transfer money from internal or external accounts or for foreign transactions. In addition to saving money in fees, teenage account holders also earn interest on their checking account balances.
Other benefits of this student checking account include transaction alerts, a free debit card that can be used at 70,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide, and security features such as FDIC insurance and fraud coverage.
This kid-centric checking account also gives parents visibility and control through two separate app logins. While it’s called the Teen Checking Account, kids eight and over are eligible. Parents can also link to external accounts if they don’t currently bank with Capital One.
9. Axos Essentials Checking Account
Axos Essentials Checking Account stays true to its motto of ‘All of the perks, none of the fees’. Students enjoy a number of useful benefits such as $0 monthly maintenance fees, unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements, $0 minimum monthly balance requirements, and $0 overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees.
Axos Essentials Checking Account makes it easy to stay up-to-date on your transactions with real-time updates sent via email, text or push notifications. You can choose your preferred mode. It’s just as easy to activate, deactivate or reactivate your debit card, get a replacement card, and send money to friends, all from your banking dashboard. Account holders can also get paid up to two days early via Direct Deposit Express at no extra charge.
10. PNC Virtual Wallet Student Account
Named Best Overall Bank for students, PNC’s Virtual Wallet Student account is loaded with features designed to help you keep your finances organized while at college. You’ll get access to a primary checking account and short-term and long-term savings accounts. The ‘Low Cash Mode’ is a budgeting tool that notifies you when you’re about to overdraft. This is very useful as it can help you avoid the $36 overdraft fee.
As with most other student checking accounts, there are no monthly maintenance or annual service fee, nor is there a minimum balance requirement. The minimum deposit to open an account is $25.
Which Is The Best Student Checking Account For Me?
There is no single type of account that’s best for everyone. All student checking accounts have a range of features that can help you manage your money efficiently without unnecessary fees. The key to identifying the best student checking account for you is to compare the features, benefits, and fees of the different accounts and pick one that best meets your specific needs.
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| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.80%-13.95%* Variable
4.43%-12.57%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
6.37% - 16.70% Variable
4.50% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
5.36% - 16.99% Variable
4.41% - 16.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
5.84% - 11.11% Variable
4.39% - 11.11% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
6.03% - 15.94% Variable
4.48% - 15.66% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
6.10% - 10.64% Variable
3.95% - 8.01% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.39% - 16.20% Variable
4.42% - 15.90% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
4.98% - 12.79% Variable
4.48% - 12.29% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
