Student Checking Accounts

	Opening Balance	ATM Network	Free* "Foreign" ATM Transactions	Monthly Fee
Citibank Student Account
	$100	28,000 Citibank ATMs	Free use of non-Citibank ATMs	None	Go to site Find a branch
	Unlimited check writing Worldwide ATM network
US Bank Student Checking
	$25	5,300 U.S. Bank ATMs	Four free non-U.S. Bank ATM transactions per statement cycle	None	Go to site Find a branch
	Free first order of U.S. Bank logo checks Receive email or text message reminders about important activity that you request
Chase Student Checking Account
	$25	16,100 Chase ATMs		None	Go to site Find a branch
	Free account alerts First order of checks free
Fifth Third Bank Student Checking Account
	$50	2300+ Fifth Third ATMs	Five free non-Fifth Third ATM transactions each month	None	Go to site Find a branch
	One free incoming wire transfer per month Text and email alerts to help keep track of your balance
BB&T Student Banking
	$0	2.400 BB&T ATMs	Four no-fee non-BB&T ATM transactions per statement cycle	None	Go to site Find a branch
	One returned item/overdraft fee free
Wells Fargo College Combo
	$125	12,000 Wells Fargo and Wachovia ATMs		Free for $500 average balance or Direct Deposit, $3 otherwise	Go to site Find a branch
	Free account alerts to your mobile phone or email
Bank of America eBanking
	$0	18,000 ATMs		None (see notes)	Go to site Find a branch
	No monthly service charge when you choose online paperless statements and make your deposits and withdrawals without a teller, otherwise $8.95 per month. Get a custom debit card to show your passion with MyExpression Checking Enroll in "Add It Up" so you can earn up to 20% cash back on top of retailers' discounts
Suntrust Student Checking
	$100	SunTrust ATMs	Two non-SunTrust ATM transactions per month	Free until March 2012, up to $4 after	Go to site Find a branch
	Unlimited check writing Discount on 1st Insufficient Funds item
Key Bank Student Checking Account
	$50	Key ATMs	Up to $6 per month reimbursed	Free with $200 of deposits / month	Go to site Find a branch
	Free text messaging and mobile alerts
Regions Bank LifeGreen Checking for Students
	$50	2,200 Regions ATMs		free up to the age of 26	Go to site
	Link your LifeGreen Checking for Students account to a Regions LifeGreen Savings account Set up Online Banking alerts to send you balance reminders
PNC Bank Virtual Wallet
	$25	6,500 PNC ATMs		None	Go to site Find a branch
	Three accounts in one - Spend, Reserve and Growth Unlimited check writing
TD Bank Student
	Contact the bank	TD Bank and TD Canada Trust ATMs		None	Go to site Find a branch
	One overdraft fee automatically refunded per academic year Free Convenience Savings account
* Free "foreign" ATM transactions refer to the fact that your own bank will not charge you for using the ATM of another operator. The ATM operator, however, may still charge a fee. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information here, however we recommend you check the details at the providers website prior to commiting. Some banks potentially vary products by location. Where this is the case, we have used a representative location. In practice, student offerings don't vary much.

Student Accounts Help and Support

What to look for in a student checking account

As you look forward to the academic challenges ahead, the last thing you want to be worrying about is your finances and unnecessary banking charges. A free student checking account is an essential tool. It is often difficult to find completely free banking, however a little time spent with the help of this site could save you dollars in the long run. A checking account that is convenient and easy to use for both students and parents is a good first step. The best features to look for are no monthly fees and low or no minimum balances. Most banks offer this to students, so to differentiate, the things you should look for are wide ATM network with your chosen bank, free online eBill pay, free mobile banking and free direct deposit, linked credit cards and you may even want to look for free overdraft.

As most student checking accounts will provide little or no interest, it may be beneficial to also have a student savings account, which may be linked to your checking account and enable you to maximise any interest earned on your money .

Choosing a bank

The location of your bank could be essential, it is important you have a bank close by to enable you to make deposits or arrange other transactions. It may also be helpful to choose a bank that has a branch that is convenient for your parents if they are going to make deposits for you.

The location of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) is also important, as using ATMs that don’t belong to you bank can hold hidden charges as the owner of that ATM may charge your bank a surcharge that will then be passed onto you. In addition, your own bank may charge what they call a “foreign” bank charge, however some banks offer a free allowance for this.

What happens when I leave college?

Often, when your education finishes, so does your low or no fee banking. A lot of banks maintain low or no fees for students for 5 years from the date of opening the account. If you are still in full time education after this time you can take proof of this to your bank and they will extend this time period. This varies from bank to bank and it is essential you check this information with your bank and what fees will be charged as soon as you are no longer a student.