College is all about learning new things, but personal finance is one subject that may not be on your syllabus. If you’re new to money management, it helps to start with the basics. That includes opening a checking account so you have a secure place to stash your money and a convenient way to spend or pay bills.
If you’ve never had a bank account in your name before, you may not know where to find student checking. Let’s look at the best checking accounts for college students, what to consider when comparing banks, and how to open a new account.
Automatic savings with matching, new account bonus
Table of Contents
- The best checking accounts for college students
- Chime Online Checking Account: Best for Streamlined Banking
- BOK Financial Access Checking: Best for Automatic Savings
- Chase College Checking: Best for Students Ages 17 – 24
- Discover Bank Cashback Checking: Best for ATM Access
- Varo Bank Account: Best All-in-One Financial Tool
- SoFi Student Checking and Savings: Best Account-Holder Benefits
- What is a student checking account?
- Benefits of student checking accounts
- Features to look for
- How to open an account
The best checking accounts for college students
We compared dozens of banks to find the best options for college students in 2025—accounts that keep fees low, offer easy mobile access, and include features tailored to student life.
Chime Online Checking Account
Best for Streamlined Banking
| Min. opening deposit | $0 |
| Fees | $0 monthly fees, minimum balance fees, or overdraft fees |
| ATMs | 47,000+ fee-free ATMs |
| Branches | No |
| FDIC-insured | Yes |
| Best features | Cash back rewards, build credit |
Why it’s great for college students
- No overdraft fees or monthly fees
- Get paid early with direct deposit
- Earn cash back and build credit when you spend
- No branch locations
- Direct deposit is required to enjoy all of Chime’s benefits
- No paper checks
Chime is a free online checking account for students who want a streamlined banking experience. Enrolling in direct deposit can unlock Chime+ features, including a chance to earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases with your Chime Card and a 3.75% APY on a Chime High-Yield Savings account. You can also build credit with your Chime Card, using your own money, while in school.
BOK Financial Access Checking
Best for Automatic Savings
| Min. opening deposit | $50 |
| Fees | No monthly fees or overdraft protection fees |
| ATMs | 32,000+ ATMs |
| Branches | 130 branches in eight states |
| FDIC-insured | Yes |
| Best features | Automatic savings with matching, new account bonus |
Why it’s great for college students
- New account bonus
- Automatic savings with matching
- Online or branch banking
- Limited branch locations
- Must meet requirements to earn bonus
- Smaller ATM network than other banks
BOK Financial Access Checking account is offered online and at branches to any student enrolled at a college, trade, or vocational school. For a limited time, you can get an impressive $300 new account bonus. You’ll need to deposit at least $200 and make 10 or more debit card transactions within the first 90 days to qualify.
Chase College Checking
Best for Students Ages 17 – 24
| Min. opening deposit | $0 |
| Fees | No monthly fee until you graduate |
| ATMs | 15,000+ fee-free ATMs |
| Branches | 5,300+ branches in 48 states and Washington, D.C. |
| FDIC-insured | Yes |
| Best features | New account bonus, Chase Credit Journey |
Why it’s great for college students
- Get up to $125 in bonus rewards
- No monthly fee until you graduate
- Fee-free transfers with Zelle
- Students under 18 must open an account a branch
- Smaller ATM network
- $15 monthly fee applies once the waiver period ends
Chase College Checking is open to students 17 to 24 who are enrolled in college, vocational, technical, or trade school. If you’re 18 or older, you can open an account online; otherwise, you’ll need to visit a branch. You can earn up to $125 when you make 10 qualifying transactions after account opening and there’s no minimum opening deposit requirement.
Discover Bank Cashback Checking
Best for ATM Access
| Min. opening deposit | $0 |
| Fees | None |
| ATMs | 60,000+ fee-free ATMs |
| Branches | None |
| FDIC-insured | Yes |
| Best features | Cashback on purchases, get paid early with direct deposit |
Why it’s great for college students
- Earn 1% cashback on eligible purchases
- No monthly fees or overdraft fees
- One of the largest ATM networks
- No branches
- No option to deposit cash
- Lower acceptance internationally
Discover offers no-fee checking to students, with a chance to earn up to $30 in cashback monthly. You can withdraw cash at more than 60,000 ATMs and get paid early with direct deposit. If you’re also looking for a high-yield savings account or student credit card, Discover Bank has you covered on both counts.
Varo Bank Account
Best All-in-One Financial Tool
| Min. opening deposit | $0 |
| Fees | No monthly fees or overdraft fees |
| ATMs | 40,000+ fee-free ATMs |
| Branches | No |
| FDIC-insured | Yes |
| Best features | Cashback on purchases, deposit cash at CVS locations |
Why it’s great for college students
- Deposit cash with no fee
- Earn 3% cashback at selected merchants
- Free credit score tracking
- No branches
- No paper checks
- Fees may apply to cash deposits at non-CVS locations
Varo is an all-in-one financial app that students can use to learn finance basics. There are no hidden fees and you can deposit cash fee-free at CVS locations. You can get 3% cashback when you use your debit card at 10,000+ merchants. If you need cash before payday, you can get up to $500 advanced to you for a flat fee, with no interest.
SoFi Student Checking and Savings
Best Account-Holder Benefits
| Min. opening deposit | $0 |
| Fees | No monthly fees or overdraft fees |
| ATMs | 55,000+ fee-free ATMs |
| Branches | No |
| FDIC-insured | Yes |
| Best features | Competitive savings APY, new account bonus |
Why it’s great for college students
- Checking and savings in one convenient account
- Generous APY on savings balances
- No-fee overdraft coverage
- No branches
- Must be 18 or older to open
- Government ID is required to open
SoFi Checking and Savings has no hidden fees and comes with generous benefits, like a solid APY on savings balances and $300 account bonus when you enroll in direct deposit. You can pay bills, schedule deposits, or view statements in the SoFi mobile app and if you need cash, there are plenty of fee-free ATMs to choose from. If you need money to pay for school, you can check out SoFi’s range of private student loan options.
What is a student checking account?
Student checking accounts are checking accounts for people who are in school. You could open a student checking account in high school or college. Your bank might convert your student account to a regular bank account once you graduate college or reach a certain age.
What makes a student checking account different from any other bank account? Usually, it comes down to two things:
- Who can open one
- What features they offer
If you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s help to open a student bank account. If you’re over 18 and still in high school or college, you can open a student checking account yourself.
As far as features go, student accounts can offer:
- Debit card access
- Paper checks
- Mobile and online banking access
- Direct deposit
- Digital wallet access
Online banks, traditional banks, and credit unions can offer student accounts. Keep in mind that student checking is not the same as a prepaid debit card for teens. Those cards let you withdraw cash at ATMs or spend money, but they’re not linked to a bank account.
Benefits of student checking accounts
Why would you need a student bank account? There are a few good reasons. First and foremost, a student checking account can help you learn responsibility and develop independence.
For example, my kids have had checking and savings accounts since they were 12 and 14. They’re now 16 and 18, both with jobs, and both taking college classes. If they want to buy something, they have the freedom to do that without relying on me, thanks to their bank accounts.
Whether you’re going to college in a different city or sticking close to home, a student checking account helps you stay in control of your money. You also get these benefits:
- Student accounts usually have low fees or no fees at all.
- Your account may come with educational tools, like articles or calculators, to help you learn how to budget and manage money.
- Some banks offer a student savings account that you can link to your checking to get you in the savings habit.
Most importantly, a student checking account keeps your money safe and secure until you’re ready to use it.
What features should college students look for when choosing a checking account?
The best student checking accounts help you stay connected to your money and come with helpful features you’ll actually use. Here are some of the things to consider as you compare accounts.
- Fees. Banks make money by charging fees, so be aware of what you’ll pay.
- ATMs. Some banks have larger ATM networks than others. Find out where you can withdraw cash fee-free.
- Debit card. Banks can set limits on how much you can spend (or withdraw in cash) with your debit card each day. Check out the limits and where you can use your card to shop online or in stores.
- Rewards. Some student checking accounts let you earn rewards when you spend with your debit card. Get to know where you can earn rewards, how much, and how you can use them.
- Bonuses. Banks can offer new account bonuses to get you to sign up. If you’re eyeing a student account that has a bonus, read the fine print on what you need to do to qualify for it.
If you’re leaning toward a brick-and-mortar bank, check the location map to see how many branches there are near you.
How to open a checking account as a college student
Ready to open a student checking account? It’s not scary and it doesn’t even take much time. If you’re 18 or older, you can follow the steps below to open your account; if not, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s help.
- Organize your documents. You’ll need a valid ID (e.g., driver’s license, state ID card, passport, etc.) to open a bank account. Some banks might accept a student ID and a Social Security card, or proof of enrollment in school.
- Apply. Next, you’ll complete an application for a new account. You may do this online or in person at a branch. You’ll need to fill in your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and phone number.
- Sign the paperwork. If you’re approved, you’ll sign new account paperwork. You’ll give the bank the correct address where your debit card should be sent.
- Fund your account. You may be able to open a student account with $0 initially, then add money later. If you want to add money at account opening, you’ll need to have cash or a check you can deposit.
What if you’re opening the account online? The bank may let you mail in a check or deposit cash at a partner retail store, like Walgreens or CVS. If you’re working, you might be able to set up direct deposit so your paychecks go straight to your account.
Open a student checking account today
Opening a student checking account is a major financial milestone, and it helps to have a parent or another trusted adult walk you through it. While you’re shopping for a checking account, think about opening a savings account, too. Learn more about the best savings accounts for students.
Recap of the best checking accounts for college students
Automatic savings with matching, new account bonus
Article sources
At LendEDU, our writers and editors rely on primary sources, such as government data and websites, industry reports and whitepapers, and interviews with experts and company representatives. We also reference reputable company websites and research from established publishers. This approach allows us to produce content that is accurate, unbiased, and supported by reliable evidence. Read more about our editorial standards.
- Chime, Introducing Chime+
- BOK Financial, College Checking Account Offer
- Chase, Chase College Checking
- Discover, Free Checking Account
- Varo, Free Online Banking
- SoFi, Student Checking and Savings Offer
About our contributors
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Written by Rebecca Lake, CEPF®Rebecca Lake is a certified educator in personal finance (CEPF®) and freelance writer specializing in finance.
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Edited by Amanda HankelAmanda Hankel is a managing editor at LendEDU. She has more than seven years of experience covering various finance-related topics and has worked for more than 15 years overall in writing, editing, and publishing.