<p>From what I have read, PNC seems to be the preferred banking service for CMU. According to the PNC website, CMU's student ID can be linked to one's PNC checking account and used as a debit card. At the same time, the student ID card can also be loaded with Plaid Ca$h to be used mostly on campus. Just wondering if this is correct. I've heard of the latter...but not linkage between student ID cards and checking accounts. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yep, it's (mostly) correct. The student ID doesn't actually have a Visa logo, so I think it can only be used to withdraw money from ATMs; I don't think it can be used for purchases. I linked mine when PNC messed up sending me a debit card some time ago and I really needed cash from my account; I've had no trouble using it to withdraw money.</p>
<p>I've never understood the use of Plaid Ca$h; I think it costs $15 to set up an account, and you're restricted to using it on campus and 4 places off of campus. If you set up an account with PNC and deposit money there for your child to use, it will be cheaper and more flexible. Unless you think your kid will take all the money out of the account and spend it on things you don't intend, set up a bank account. PNC has a small branch on campus, 4-5 ATMs on campus, and a larger branch about half a mile from campus, so they're very convenient.</p>
<p>PNC is very big in Pittsburgh but there are no locations where we live (upstate NY). We discovered Citizens Bank has a ATM at CMU and there are branches in our town so my D opened an account there. It is a lot easier for me to make a deposit to her account with it being local.
My D also uses plaid ca$h (actually more than her debit card)for several reasons; 1. she always has her ID but not her banking debit card (obviously if you used PNC as your bank this would not be an issue.) 2. it runs from semester to semester (unlike the dining account which has to be used up) so the only thing she has to worry about is not running the balance to zero because then you have to open it up again 3. is actually is accepted more places than it used to be:
Locations</a> - Carnegie Mellon University
4. I can make a deposit to her PlaidCa$h account online with my credit card - comes in handy when I get those late night emails during finals that she is out of cash :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the insights! I'm learning...;)</p>
<p>I have an account linked with my mom at a bank that has no locations in Pittsburgh. She can give me money that way, and I can either use it by paying with a debit card on that account or by writing myself checks and depositing them at PNC, since I have checks for the other account. I've never been one for last minute calls asking for money, so it works for me. :)</p>
<p>Citizens also has a branch a half mile from campus, across the street from the larger PNC one.</p>
<p>Yes, I think it depends on what works for you. We were mostly looking for a branch near us with an ATM on campus. I don't know what (if any?) other banks have an ATM in the UC?</p>
<p>As of last year, Citizens and PNC both had ATMs within the UC. I used Citizens Bank for my four years at CMU and found their service to be great.</p>
<p>Also, the main benefit I know of for Plaid Cash is that a number of the vending machines take it. It was pretty nice when I'd be working in the clusters ~3 AM with no change and only one $1 bill, but I could still go get myself a delicious Diet Pepsi.</p>
<p>We setup an account at PNC for my son, even though there are no branches near our home. However, we've been able to link the PNC account with several of our existing banks, so it's very easy to electronically transfer money from my main bank (Citibank) to PNC. The only downside is that it takes 3 business days for the transfer to go thru. Since my son never seems to ask for money, I've setup an alert for PNC to email me when his balance goes below $200. Then I transfer money into his account. It works for us!</p>