What Every New College Student Should Know About Banking with Harvard FCU

Did you know that Harvard Federal Credit Union membership is available to all Harvard affiliates, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and more? If you’re a Harvard University student looking for a trusted financial partner, here’s what you need to know about banking with Harvard FCU.

We’re a Credit Union, Not a Bank

As a credit union, Harvard FCU is a not-for-profit cooperative—which means there are no shareholders, and every member owns an equal stake in the institution. When Harvard FCU earns profits, these are returned to members in the form of better rates on loans and savings, lower fees and improved services. In comparison, banks are for-profit and typically focus on maximizing profits to distribute to shareholders rather than serving members.

We’ve Got All Your Financial Needs Covered

Harvard FCU offers a wide range of financial products, including checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fees; interest-bearing savings accounts which are federally insured; Club Savings Accounts designed to help you save for specific expenses such as holiday shopping or vacations; and lots more. As for credit cards, Harvard FCU offers a selection of cards with generous rewards, great rates, no gimmicks and no hidden fees. You can even apply for an undergraduate loan from Harvard FCU, which is specially designed for students with a limited credit history.

We Can Help Members Build Credit

Maintaining a higher credit score can help you save money and meet your financial goals. As a new college student, you may be wondering how to grow your score. Harvard FCU can help! Start by learning about credit and credit scores on the Harvard FCU blog. Then, thanks to a partnership with Savvy Money, you can log into your online account to access your credit score, full credit report and personalized financial tips—all totally free, as a benefit of Credit Union membership.

Education Is in Our DNA

Harvard FCU is here to meet the banking needs of the Harvard community—and we’re also doing our part for financial wellness and education. THRIVE, Harvard FCU’s financial wellness program, brings award winning personal finance education and expertise to members. There are free workshops and webinars on topics like home buying and how to protect yourself from scams. And, visit the Harvard FCU blog for tips on money management, loans, budgeting, estate planning, credit and lots more.

We’re Dependable and Digital

Banking with Harvard FCU is easy, secure and convenient, thanks to our myriad digital banking features. Enroll in online banking to access digital bill pay, e-statements and mobile banking. With Harvard FCU in the palm of your hand, you can deposit checks from wherever you are, send and request money using your online account, and use the digital wallet to make purchases securely and simply, with one tap

We’re Here as Your Banking Needs Change

We all have different banking needs at different times in our life. As a new college student, you might be looking for a checking account with low fees, a trustworthy credit card, or auto financing. As you get older, you might want a financial partner to support you in home-buying, loan refinancing, business banking or investing. Further down the road, estate planning could be an important concern. As a full-service financial partner, Harvard FCU is there at every moment.