Opening your first checking account is an important step toward financial independence. The right checking account can make everyday banking easier, save you on paying unnecessary fees, and maybe even put a little extra money in your pocket.
We've reviewed several student bank accounts to come up with our choices for the best checking accounts for students that offer benefits like low fees, free ATM access, overdraft protection, and convenient mobile tools. Some even pay you interest or cashback for your everyday purchases.
What makes a checking account great for students
Many people open their first checking account between the ages of 17 and 24, typically while enrolled in college or classes at a vocational, trade, or technical school. Checking accounts that are great for students offer features that fit their lifestyle and budget. Some of the key factors that make a checking account great for students include:
- No monthly fees
- No minimum balance requirements
- Free ATM access
- Mobile banking tools
- Overdraft protection
Best checking accounts for students compared
Bank | Best for … | Monthly fees/ATMs/other important features |
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Building credit |
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Earning interest |
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Overdraft protection |
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![]() Chase College Checking |
Brick-and-mortar locations |
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Discover® Cashback Debit | Earning cash back |
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![]() Capital One 360 |
Overall banking |
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Chime®
- Fully online banking
- No monthly fees or minimum balance fees
- Offers tools to help build credit
Chime isn't a traditional bank.1 <p class="">Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. <br></p> It's a fintech company that offers online banking services. For students, that means no monthly fees, no overdraft fees7 <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.</p><br> <p>Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to $20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions</a>.</p> , and no minimum balance requirements. It also provides access to over 50,000 fee-free ATMs.3 <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.</p>
Everything with Chime is digital, so you can manage your checking account online or with Chime's easy-to-use mobile app. If you need to deposit cash,9 <p>Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade. </p> you can do it for free at any U.S. Walgreens location. You can also deposit cash for a small fee at retailers like Walmart, CVS, and 7-Eleven.
Students will also appreciate Chime's SpotMe overdraft protection,7 <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.</p><br> <p>Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to $20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions</a>.</p> which covers up to $200 in overdraft transactions without fees. However, to take advantage of this protection, you will need to have direct deposits of at least $200 monthly.
- No monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements
- Fee-free overdraft coverage up to $200
- Access to 50,000 fee-free ATMs
- Overdraft protection requires at least $200 in monthly direct deposits
- Cash deposits made at locations other than Walgreens may incur a fee
- Checking account doesn't earn interest
Visit Chime | Learn more in our Chime review
SoFi Checking and Savings
- Checking account earns 0.50% (as of 01/24/25) APY with direct deposit
- No monthly, overdraft, or minimum balance fees12 <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>
- You automatically get a savings account when you open a checking account
If you're a student looking to make the most of your money, SoFi® offers a checking and savings combo that's hard to beat. When you open a checking account with SoFi, you automatically get a linked high-yield savings account. Both accounts earn interest. SoFi's checking account earns 0.50% (as of 01/24/25),4 <p>SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus">https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus</a>.</p> and the savings account earns up to 3.80% (with direct deposit).
SoFi is a great fit for students who prefer to handle their banking digitally and don't deal with cash often. While you can deposit cash into your SoFi account through various retailers, you may be charged a $4.95 fee.
With a SoFi checking account, there are no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no overdraft charges. SoFi does offer overdraft protection, but it is limited compared to other financial institutions, and you must have direct deposits of at least $1,000 monthly to qualify. 15 <p>Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.</p>
Member FDIC.14 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
- Checking and savings accounts earn interest
- No monthly, overdraft, or minimum balance fees
- Offers a cash bonus when you set up direct deposit10 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p>
- Many benefits require direct deposit
- Cash deposits may cost up to a $4.95 fee
- Overdraft protection is limited15 <p>Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.</p>
Visit SoFi | Learn more in our SoFi review
U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking
- Provides several options for overdraft protection
- The monthly maintenance fee is waived for ages 18-24 16 <p>No Monthly Maintenance Fee for the U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account with one of the following: Combined monthly direct deposit totaling $1,500+, an average account balance of $1,500 or greater, the owner of an eligible Small Business Checking account, the owner of a U.S. Bank Smartly VisaTM Signature® Card, are 24 and under, 65 and over, or a member of the military (must self-disclose), or qualify for Smart Rewards® Gold tier or above.</p>
- U.S. Bank Smart Rewards® program offers perks like fee waivers and discounts
U.S. Bank's Smartly Checking account17 <p>Applicant must reside in AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY to be eligible for Checking account</p> is a good option for students who want an account with strong overdraft protection. While the bank charges an overdraft fee of $36 on transactions over $5.01 that it covers on your behalf, it does offer several options to help you avoid this fee. For example, there is no fee if your account balance is overdrawn by $50 or less.
You also won't be charged a fee if you set up overdrafts to be covered from an automatic transfer from your savings, money market, or secondary checking account. You can link up to three accounts to cover your overdrafts.
With many financial institutions offering accounts with no monthly maintenance fees, U.S. Bank's $12 monthly fee may make you pause. However, this fee is waived for young adults aged 18 to 24.
U.S. Bank's Smart Rewards program also offers many perks that students may appreciate. Those perks include a waiver of your first two non-U.S. Bank ATM transaction fees per statement cycle and access to digital financial tools to help you manage your money.
- The monthly maintenance fee is waived for college-age customers
- No fees for overdrafts of $50 or less
- No fees for overdraft protection transfers from a savings, money market, or secondary checking account
- Requires $25 minimum deposit
- Not available in all states
Visit U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking | Learn more in our U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking review
Chase College Checking
- Get $125 for opening an account and completing 10 transactions
- No monthly service fees while in school (for students aged 17-24)
- Thousands of branch locations
Students who prefer to do their banking at a brick-and-mortar branch location may want to consider the Chase College Checking account. Chase operates about 5,000 physical branches in 48 U.S. states.
This account is specifically designed for students aged 17-24 who are enrolled in a college or vocational, technical, or trade school. For enrolled students, Chase waives its $15 monthly service fee up to the day you graduate or for a maximum of five years, whichever comes first.
Chase rewards you with a $125 bonus just for opening an account and completing 10 qualifying transactions. If you are a student aged 18-24 with a Social Security Number, you can open an account online. However, students aged 17 or those without a Social Security Number will have to visit a physical branch location to open the account.
One drawback to the Chase College Checking account is that its overdraft coverage is limited. Chase Overdraft Assist will cover you if you are overdrawn by $50 or less by the end of the day. If you are overdrafted by more than $50, you can avoid an overdraft fee by bringing your account overdraft amount to $50 or less by the end of the next business day. Otherwise, you'll be charged an overdraft fee of $34 per transaction up to a maximum of three overdrafts per day. You can also use a Chase savings account to cover overdrafts.
- Offers $125 intro bonus for opening an account and completing 10 transactions
- No monthly fees for enrolled students aged 17-24
- Chase has 5,000 branch locations in 48 U.S. states
- The monthly fee waiver is only good for five years, and you must be age 17-24 to be eligible
- $34 overdraft fees per transaction
- Students aged 17 and those who don't have a Social Security Number must apply at a branch location
Learn more in our Chase Bank review
Discover® Cashback Debit
- Rewards 1% cash back on most debit card transactions up to $3,000 per month
- No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
- Over 60,000 fee-free ATMs
With Discover® Cashback Debit, you can earn money making everyday purchases like buying books or groceries while you're in school. This checking account rewards you with 1.00% cash back on most debit card transactions, up to $3,000 per month. That's a potential of up to $30 extra in your pocket each month.18 <p>Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See Deposit Account Agreement for details on transaction eligibility, limitations and terms. Deposit Account Agreement can be found at <a href="https://www.discover.com/content/dam/dfs/online-banking/documents/NationalDepositAccountAgreement.pdf">https://www.discover.com/content/dam/dfs/online-banking/documents/NationalDepositAccountAgreement.pdf</a>.</p>
Discover's checking account is all online. It has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. Plus, if you are working, this account enables you to access your paycheck up to two days early. Discover also doesn't charge fees for transactions that it refuses payment on due to insufficient funds. However, you may still get charged by the merchant or financial institution on the other end of the transaction. While Discover offers overdraft protection, debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals aren't covered under that protection.
One thing to be aware of is the merger between Capital One and Discover that occurred in May 2025. Although Discover still operates business as usual, there could be changes to its accounts in the future.
- Provides 1.00% cash back on debit card transactions
- No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
- No Discover fees for insufficient funds transactions (but there may be fees from the merchant or other financial institution involved)
- Overdraft protection excludes debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals
- No physical locations
- Possible changes due to the merger with Capital One
Learn more in our Discover Cashback Debit Checking review
Capital One 360
- No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
- No overdraft fees
- Has branch and cafe locations, and access to 70,000 fee-free ATMs
Capital One's 360 Checking is a solid choice for anyone, including students. The account has no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance requirements. Plus, its checking account earns 0.10% (as of 08/27/25) APY. Although that is low compared to some other accounts like SoFi, even a small amount is better than nothing.
Capital One provides fee-free access to 70,000 ATMs across the country, and you can deposit cash into your account at any CVS or Walgreens location. The company is also offering a $250 bonus if you open an account, set up direct deposit, and make at least two $500 deposits within 75 days of opening your account. 19 <p>1. Open a 360 Checking account on or after August 22, 2024, using promotional code CHECKING250. 2. Set up and receive at least 2 Qualifying Direct Deposits each of $500 or more to your 360 Checking account within 75 days of account opening. 3. Capital One will deposit the bonus into your account after the first two requirements listed above are completed. See full offer details and when the bonus will be posted at <a href="https://www.capitalone.com/bank/checking250/affiliate/">https://www.capitalone.com/bank/checking250/affiliate/</a>.</p>
One important thing to note is that Capital One typically declines overdraft transactions unless you enroll in either its No-Fee Overdraft coverage or set up automatic transfers from a savings or money market account.
- Offers $250 bonus for opening an account and setting up direct deposit
- No monthly fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance requirement
- Earns a little bit of interest (0.10% (as of 08/27/25))
- APY on checking is low
- Physical locations are limited
- Overdraft transactions are usually declined unless you enroll for free automatic transfers from a savings or money market account
Learn more in our Capital One 360 review
FAQs
Which bank has the best checking account for students?
The best checking account for students depends on the student's specific wants and needs. For example, if you want your money to earn interest, you may want to consider SoFi or Capital One. But if you prefer doing your banking at a physical branch, you may want to consider the Chase College Checking account. Overall, the best checking accounts for students are those with minimal fees, large ATM access, and overdraft protection options.
What are the cons of a student checking account?
One drawback to student checking accounts is that benefits like fee waivers may expire when you graduate or after a certain amount of time. For example, Chase's College Checking account waives its monthly service fee as long as you are enrolled in school for up to five years. Students also get monthly fees waived on U.S. Bank's Smartly Checking account until they turn 24.
How much should I keep in my checking account as a student?
As a student, it's wise to keep enough in your checking account to cover at least one month of expenses, like rent, groceries, and transportation. You should also have a small cushion for unexpected costs that come up. It may also be wise to have some money in savings to cover any overdraft transactions you may make, so you can avoid getting hit with overdraft fees.
Bottom line
Finding the right student checking account can make managing your money easier and more affordable while you're in school. No one likes to pay a lot of banking fees, especially students who are on limited budgets. When looking for the best student checking account for you, compare features like fees, ATM access, overdraft protection, and other perks to see which works best for your needs. The right account will enable you to focus on your studies and not your banking.
Methodology
To determine the best checking accounts for students, we evaluated a variety of financial institutions based on the features that matter most to college-age customers. Key factors include no or low fees, minimum balance requirements, overdraft protection options, fee-free ATM access, mobile banking tools, and any available bonuses or rewards programs. We also considered whether accounts offered interest, in-person branch access, and student-friendly benefits such as credit-building tools.
2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo