Student Checking & Debit Cards
- No monthly fees
- 24/7 digital banking
- Perfect for Purdue students
Student-friendly checking for Boilermakers
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 laptop6
- Deposit checks from your phone with free mobile app
- 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 Perks2
- 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:
- Identification
Unexpired government-issued ID
and Purdue Student ID
and Social Security Card - $25 minimum opening deposit
Contact us for additional information for those under 18 years old or for alternative documentation options.
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.
Please reach out to a Purdue Federal representative for additional information
Purdue Federal Credit Union serves members worldwide and operates branches throughout Greater Lafayette, Crown Point and La Porte, Indiana.
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
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.
Member since 1993
Lafayette, IN
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!
Member since 2010
Fort Wayne, IN
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.
Member since 1996
Bloomington, IN
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.
Member since 2016
West Lafayette, IN
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?
Member since 2014
West Lafayette, IN
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!
Member since 2012
Farmington, MI
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.
Member since 2013
Lafayette, IN
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.
Member since 2014
Lafayette, IN
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!
Member since 2014
Hartford City, IN
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.
Member since 2016
West Lafayette, IN
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.
Member since 2015
Lafayette, IN
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.
Member since 2015
Cicero, IN
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.
Member since 2017
West Lafayette, IN
Write a Review
6 Please see the Digital Banking Services Agreement for full disclosures. Data rates may apply.
12 Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Pay and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc.
Available on Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 active, Galaxy Note5 and other select Samsung devices, most major carriers and supported cards. See samsung.com/pay for complete list and contact a Purdue Federal representative to verify supported cards. Google Pay is a trademark of Google LLC. Payment methods shown not available in all countries or locations.
See pay.google.com/about for complete list of supported devices and contact a Purdue Federal representative to verify supported cards.
Available with select Garmin devices. Payment methods shown not available in all countries or locations.
See explore.garmin.com/en-US/garmin-pay/ for complete list of supported devices and contact a Purdue Federal representative to verify supported cards.
Available with select Fitbit devices. See availability at fitbit.com/fitbit-pay/banks.