Chase College Checking Account 2024 Review
Chase Bank offers a range of banking products, including the College Checking account for students. This account has no monthly service fee while you're in school and offers an introductory bonus when certain requirements are met.
Student checking accounts are designed to meet the needs of teens and young adults who are ready to learn the basics of money management. Chase College Checking is geared toward students 17 to 24 who are enrolled at a college, vocational, technical, or trade school.
You might consider opening this account if you:
- Meet the age requirements
- Are looking for a checking account that offers branch banking and online access
- Want to avoid a monthly maintenance fee while you're in school
- Would like access to features like Zelle or Chase Credit Journey
You can open this account online or at a Chase branch. In addition to College Checking, Chase also offers savings accounts for students who want a safe, secure way to grow their money.
Chase College Checking Account Pros & Cons
Compared to Other Checking Accounts
U.S. Bank Student Checking
U.S. Bank Student Checking is intended for teens and young adults aged 13 to 24. This account has no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees when you're overdrawn by less than $50, and no fees at U.S. Bank ATMs. The Campus Banking program offers special benefits for college students, including a combination campus ID and debit card and financial goals coaching.
Read our full editorial review of the U.S. Bank Student Checking account
Wells Fargo Student Checking
Wells Fargo offers two checking options for students: Clear Access Banking and Everyday Checking. Clear Access Banking is a checkless checking account with no monthly service fee for students up to age 24, and no overdraft fees. Everyday Checking has no monthly fee for students up to age 24 and includes check-writing privileges.
Read our full editorial review of the Wells Fargo Student Checking account
Citizens Bank Student Checking
Citizens Bank Student Checking has no monthly fees and no overdraft fees for students up to age 25. You can make unlimited fee-free ATM withdrawals anywhere in the U.S. and get personalized checks if you need them. You'll also have access to Zelle for convenient transfers or you can add your account to your favorite digital wallet app.
Read our full editorial review of the Citizens Bank Student Checking account
TD Bank Student Checking
TD Bank offers multiple student bank accounts, including TD Complete Checking, TD Essential Banking, and TD Simple Savings. Complete Checking is designed for students aged 17 to 23, while Essential Banking is perfect for middle school students and high school students aged 13 to 17. There are no opening deposit requirements for any of TD Bank's student accounts.
Read our full editorial review of the TD Bank Student Checking account
Interest and Rewards
Rewards checking accounts can pay you interest on balances, cash back on purchases, or a combination of the two.
Chase College Checking does not offer rewards or interest. You can, however, earn an introductory bonus when one is offered.
For example, Chase may offer a $100 bonus when you:
- Open a College Checking account
- Complete 10 qualifying transactions
Other banks can offer bigger bonuses but you may need to meet a large minimum deposit requirement or set up direct deposit to qualify.
If you're interested in rewards checking, shop around. Compare rewards program structures as well as the monthly fees and how you'll be able to access your money.
Fees
Traditional banks like Chase charge fees because that's how they make money. Some banks charge more fees than others.
Here's what you'll pay to bank with Chase.
Other Service Fees - Chase College Checking
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Monthly maintenance fee | $0 or $12 |
| Out-of-network ATM fee | $3 to $5 |
| Foreign exchange fee | 3% |
| Money order | $5.00 |
| Cashier's check | $10.00 |
| Overdraft | $34.00 |
| Stop payment | $30 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 1% |
| Incoming wire transfers (domestic and international) | $0 to $15 |
| Outgoing wire transfers (domestic and international) | $5 to $50 |
| Legal processing | $100 |
Chase College Checking has a $0 monthly maintenance fee while you're in school. Once you graduate or leave school, a $12 monthly fee applies. You can avoid it by:
- Setting up a recurring direct deposit of $500 or more per month, OR
- Maintaining an average minimum daily balance of $1,500 or more
It's possible to find online checking accounts that charge no monthly fee at all, so that's something to keep in mind.
Branch and ATM Access
Chase has more than 5,100 branches spread across 48 states and the District of Columbia. There are also more than 15,000 Chase ATMs.
That's convenient if you need to withdraw cash or you'd like to be able to stop into a branch to manage your account. You can use the locator tool on the Chase website or in the mobile banking app to find a Chase branch or ATM near you.
Account Access
Chase gives you multiple ways to manage your money. You can:
- Visit a Chase branch to deposit checks or cash, or make withdrawals
- Use the Chase mobile app to deposit checks electronically
- Schedule a transfer from a linked bank account
- Set up a wire transfer to or from your account
- Get cash at ATMs
- Schedule recurring or one-time bill payments online or through the Chase mobile banking app
Daily limits on withdrawals apply. The daily ATM withdrawal limit is $1,000 at Chase ATMs and $500 at non-Chase ATMs. You can withdraw up to $3,000 at a Chase branch or make up to $5,000 in purchases per day with your Chase debit card.
Chase supports Zelle through the mobile app. You can log in, navigate to the Zelle menu, select who you want to pay, and enter the amount. Or friends and family can send money to you through Zelle. Either way, you'll pay no fees. Check your account agreement for Zelle transfer limits.
FDIC Insurance
FDIC insurance protects deposit accounts at member banks. Chase is an FDIC-insured financial institution so your money is safe.
But what does that mean? Simply that should Chase fail, the FDIC will step in to help you get your money back.
There are limits to this coverage. The standard FDIC insurance limit is $250,000 per account owner. This limit applies to every bank you have accounts with.
What You Need to Open
It's easy to open a Chase College Checking account online if you're 18 or older. You'll need:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID
- An email address and mobile phone number
- Your Social Security number
- A U.S.-based address
If you're 17 you'll need to visit a Chase branch with a parent or guardian to open an account. There's no minimum deposit required to open the account either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chase a good bank?
Chase is one of the largest banks in the U.S. and you might consider banking here if you want access to a sizable network of branches and ATMs. Compared to online banks, Chase doesn't offer quite as many bells and whistles with its checking accounts, but it does rate well for convenience and the range of products offered.
How do student checking accounts work?
Student checking accounts are designed to meet the needs of teens and college students. They typically include a debit card and access to online and mobile banking. Some banks offer special features, like financial coaching or calculators to help you track your money and goals.
Do students need a checking account?
Students can benefit from having a checking account in different ways. A checking account is a safe, secure place to keep your money and you can access funds with a debit card. You can learn the basics of how to manage money with a checking account and some banks offer financial education resources to help you along.
