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The Best Information About Banking at Penn State University

Choosing the best bank while attending Penn State University Park is relatively simple. PSUMoms members overwhelmingly recommend PNC Bank. PNC has the best facilities, an excellent staff, and can even link your student's PNC bank account to their Penn State student ID+ card.

Banking at Penn StateHaving a bank account is hopefully something that your student has experienced in the past, however for some it may be a new endeavor. If your student does not have a bank account we recommend you setup both a savings and a checking account with them to use while in college. Do this early and not during move in week. Having a bank account with online access is essential for creating a successful budget and a key to becoming financially responsible.

Penn State PNC Bank

We recommend you setup your new accounts with PNC bank based purely on convenience. Setting up your new accounts with PNC is free and you can choose from a variety of different account plans based on your needs. There is a student account that you can apply for which has no fees for anything involved. Totally free student checking is something all parents and students alike will love. Here is a link to the PNC Bank product page.

Take Small steps to Build Your Financial Understanding (and credit)

Having your own bank account is a great first step in learning about controlling finances. Another added bonus is the longer you keep these accounts in good standing, meaning now overdrafts or negative balences, the better your personal credit rating will become. Building credit now will pay off in the long term as your student graduates college and wants to move into an apartment or purchase a new house.

Financial responsibilities your student needs to learn before college

Using checks in State College Your student will need to learn a number of simple things before they go to college to help them handle their money while they are away from home. It sounds silly, but the first thing we'd like to go over is making sure your son or daughter knows how to use an ATM. The amount of people that we have seen around campus failing miserably at using an ATM, with a line of frustrated students behind them, is simply astonishing. Thankfully PNC has a very understanding and supportive staff which will help students new to banking through their issues, but try not to subject your student to the emabarassment. The second thing students must know is that a check book is NOT a credit card. Another very common thing that is heard in line at PNC is the teller explaining to a puzzled student about how "you must have the money in your checking account to be able to write that check". Make sure your student understands and can explain back to you the standard rules of a checking account. Here are some of the basics