Purdue Student Checking & Debit Cards
- No monthly fees
- 24/7 digital banking
- Free ATM withdrawals
Totally free checking for all our Boilermaker friends
College is a learning experience. Lesson one: Be a smart consumer. At Purdue Federal, our Student Checking Account is a shining example of how to get a great deal. It comes with zero monthly fees, 24/7 digital banking, a customized debit card and plenty of other features designed to help you build smart spending habits.
Checking Benefits
- No monthly fees
- Unlimited digital banking on your smartphone or laptop
- Free mobile app, with check deposit from your phone
- Free electronic bill pay
- Access cash at a nationwide network of 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs, including several on the Purdue - West Lafayette campus
- Two Purdue Federal locations right on the West Lafayette campus at the Purdue Memorial Union and Northwestern Ave.
- Create custom account alerts - via email and text - to alert you about important activity on your account
- Free Pete Pop every Thursday at University Book Store
Debit Cards
- Make purchases online or at millions of stores worldwide that display the Visa logo
- Link debit card to your smartphone with digital wallet and make one-tap payments with Apple Pay™, Samsung Pay, Google Pay or Visa SRC
- Earn $5 a month just by using your Visa Debit Card 30-plus times with My Member Perks
- Get the exclusive Purdue University debit card design
- Tap your card to pay at contactless payment terminals
What you need to open your account:
Domestic Students
- Unexpired government-issued ID
- Purdue Student ID
- $5 minimum savings deposit
- $25 opening checking deposit
- Social Security Number
- Primary Savings Account
International Students
- Identification
To open your account you will need the following: Your student ID and a government-issued ID such as a U.S. driver's license or a passport as well as your qualifying student visa or I-20. - Local Mailing Address & Phone Number
You must provide a U.S. mailing address and local phone number so you can receive communications from the credit union. - Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number. (REQUIRED IF ISSUED)
This number and a signed W-8BEN is required when you want to open an interest-bearing account because any dividends or interest you earn on your account must be reported as income to the United States Federal Government.
Purdue Federal Credit Union serves members worldwide and operates branches throughout Greater Lafayette, Crown Point and La Porte, Indiana.
Helpful Resources
Would recommend to a friend
I've had my Student Checking since I started my first job back in 2006. Purdue Federal Credit Union's staff are always helpful if I have any questions about my Student Checking Account. It is great that I can do all of my banking needs either online or at a branch, so I know that my questions will always be answered. Finally, with the great service that Purdue Federal provides their members, you can't go wrong with a FREE Checking Account.… Read More
Would recommend to a friend
Couldn't be happier with my choice for PEFCU! Have never had a problem. My friends are always trying to get to a bank over in Lafayette or a credit union back at home. I can do everything I need online and on campus. Even when I'm off campus I can easily put more money in my account with UDeposit!… Read More
Ratings and Reviews
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
I've had my Student Checking since I started my first job back in 2006. Purdue Federal Credit Union's staff are always helpful if I have any questions about my Student Checking Account. It is great that I can do all of my banking needs either online or at a branch, so I know that my questions will always be answered. Finally, with the great service that Purdue Federal provides their members, you can't go wrong with a FREE Checking Account.
Written
on 7/11/2012
by Elise
Member since 1993
Lafayette, IN
by Elise
Member since 1993
Lafayette, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
Couldn't be happier with my choice for PEFCU! Have never had a problem. My friends are always trying to get to a bank over in Lafayette or a credit union back at home. I can do everything I need online and on campus. Even when I'm off campus I can easily put more money in my account with UDeposit!
Written
on 7/19/2012
by Happy_Student
Member since 2010
Fort Wayne, IN
by Happy_Student
Member since 2010
Fort Wayne, IN
Rated 1 stars
The fraud system is so flawed. The whole point of a student account is to be flexible, but any out of state transactions shut down the card. I've even been frozen for a $4.XX purchase at my local Kroger, 4 blocks from my apartment. Then to make matters worse the help line is only open during business hours. If you're going to shut the account down for dumb reasons at least provide a 24 hour help line to verify purchases. Or add an additional way to disable the fraud system, email/text/etc.
Written
on 9/25/2016
by Lilly
Member since 1996
Bloomington, IN
by Lilly
Member since 1996
Bloomington, IN
Rated 4 stars
Good for just a debit card. Due dates on credit card payments aren't very pronounced. Cash Rewards program doesn't show how far you have to go to earn your next payout which is pretty annoying. Overall not a horrible decision.
Written
on 9/28/2016
by AeroPurdue
Member since 2016
West Lafayette, IN
by AeroPurdue
Member since 2016
West Lafayette, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
Free Checking and other services? Friendly staff just an email away? A branch two minutes from my apartment? An online portal that actually works? You have any idea how hard it's been to get all of those things at the same time?
Written
on 10/5/2016
by Max
Member since 2014
West Lafayette, IN
by Max
Member since 2014
West Lafayette, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
I like the Student Checking Account by PFCU as it gives flexibility of Online Banking. Convenient to use. The Manage Your Budget feature is a great way to help you keep on track for your savings goal!
Written
on 10/17/2016
by Aditi
Member since 2012
Farmington, MI
by Aditi
Member since 2012
Farmington, MI
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
I've had an account here since I got my first job, and I couldn't be happier. Whenever I go in I'm greeted by an incredibly friendly and helpful staff; and I love the perks and low rates. It's great for not only students but anyone.
Written
on 10/20/2016
by Brock M.
Member since 2013
Lafayette, IN
by Brock M.
Member since 2013
Lafayette, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
Not a lot of fees and it is really awesome how there are so many ATMs affiliated with this bank. Also, the people at the branches in Lafayette are great at being efficient as well as friendly.
Written
on 11/11/2016
by Alexis
Member since 2014
Lafayette, IN
by Alexis
Member since 2014
Lafayette, IN
Rated 3 stars
It's nice to be able to switch my money between accounts at this bank quickly and easily, but account activity to and from outside this bank is really slow to show up on the account balances.
Written
on 11/12/2016
by James Blanco
Member since 2015
Lawrenceburg, IN
by James Blanco
Member since 2015
Lawrenceburg, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
Absolutely everything you need--with no annoying hidden fees or small print! The folks at PFCU are always friendly and helpful. They have very competitive rates, and offer nationwide ATMs through the Shared Branch program. I don't even need to switch banks after graduation, because I can use any Shared Branch in the country! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a no-nonsense, high-quality experience!
Written
on 11/21/2016
by Trevor
Member since 2014
Hartford City, IN
by Trevor
Member since 2014
Hartford City, IN
Rated 4 stars
Would recommend to a friend
It's a great account for students. I only wish they had more branches outside of West Lafayette so that even if I go out of state, I can deposit money into my account if need be.
Written
on 1/12/2017
by Abhishek
Member since 2016
West Lafayette, IN
by Abhishek
Member since 2016
West Lafayette, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
I love having my bank so convenient to me. We have a PFCU in my school, so I can access my account whenever I need to. Plus, in all my interactions in all the branches I've been to in the surrounding areas, not one of them has been remotely negative. Everyone is super understanding and cool while explaining stuff I probably should've been able to figure out anyways. I love calling PFCU my bank.
Written
on 1/25/2017
by Jill
Member since 2015
Lafayette, IN
by Jill
Member since 2015
Lafayette, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
I've had no problems with my Purdue Fed account since getting it. I love the services they provide and the support staff are always helpful. Would totally recommend them to anyone wanting to switch.
Written
on 2/2/2017
by Nicky B.
Member since 2015
Cicero, IN
by Nicky B.
Member since 2015
Cicero, IN
Rated 3 stars
The banking services are great, but the after hours customer service options are not so great. I had to waste a whole lot of time to just speak to a customer agent, who finally told me to call back on a business day.
Written
on 2/10/2017
by Ans
Member since 2014
Fargo, IN
by Ans
Member since 2014
Fargo, IN
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
I don't have any hidden fees, my account is free. I love the service you guys provide, especially after switching from Chase! Thank you for everything you guys do!
Written
on 3/19/2017
by Santos
Member since 2013
Lafayette, IN
by Santos
Member since 2013
Lafayette, IN
Rated 4 stars
Would recommend to a friend
Since the usage requirements for a student account are so low, this really fits my low-income situation. Any student who needs a bank account should highly consider opening one.
Written
on 3/24/2017
by Sschmalz
Member since 2011
by Sschmalz
Member since 2011
Rated 5 stars
Would recommend to a friend
Really easy to apply online, help and assistance is available whenever you need it online or in person, over the phone or by email. The Student Checking Account is an amazing offer for High School students like me, the minimal fees and other perks made me choose Purdue Federal Credit Union over the rest and I'm glad I did, my peers have the same account as me and they enjoy it too, and I continue to recommend it to mature friends turning 18 needing a bank account for work, etc.
Written
on 5/12/2017
by Ethan
Member since 2017
West Lafayette, IN
by Ethan
Member since 2017
West Lafayette, IN
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Boiler Financial Track
Boiler Financial Track offers education, resources and programs to help Purdue University students get started on the right financial foot.
Learn MoreChecking accounts and debit cards subject to approval. Membership eligibility required.
Data rates for your mobile device may apply.
No purchase necessary. Offer valid with debit or credit card each Thursday. Free Pete Pops available at University Bookstore located at 360 W. State St. and 720 Northwestern Ave. in West Lafayette. Free Pete Pops available to the first 1,000 members each Thursday during promotion period, while supplies last. Limited to one free Pete Pop per member each Thursday. Promotion subject to change without notice.
Only Purdue Federal Visa debit card transactions are surcharge-free at CO-OP ATMs. Both Purdue Federal Visa debit and credit card transactions are surcharge-free at Alliance One ATMs. Claim based on CO-OP Financial Services Network website.
Please see the Digital Banking Services Agreement for full disclosures. Data rates may apply.
Cash rewards will be automatically credited to your checking account each month there are 30 or more combined transactions by all Purdue Federal Visa Debit Cards associated with your checking account. Automatic cash reward will be made no later than the fifth day of the month immediately following the qualifying month. Account must be at Silver Status or above, in good standing and enrolled in paperless statements in order to earn and receive Debit Perk each month. Monthly cash rewards will be reported to the IRS as taxable income. Social Security Number required for account holder to receive cash rewards. Health Savings accounts, payroll card accounts and non-interest bearing accounts not eligible for cash rewards.