<p>My S will be a freshman and I am trying to decide if we should open a bank account for him. I know I can add $ to his Buckid card as needed. I can’t imagine too many places he will need something other than his Buckid card.</p>
<p>Now-if he gets a job, then a bank account would be great for direct deposit. I guess I am wondering how many incoming students are setting up bank accounts and how many current students have them or can they get by without one?</p>
<p>I am not a fan of Huntington and it looks like they are taking over on campus. I currently bank with one of the ones whose contract will not be renewed and I have no idea when that is. (Learned this from an article in the Lantern).</p>
<p>Any input would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Some places like target don’t take buckid so it is useful to have an account and card. All of the national banks are located a few feet from campus on high street so choosing the official bank isn’t really neccesary.</p>
<p>Fifth Third is okay but most of the banks have a branch somewhere along N High St. It is good to have a bank account because sometimes you just need cash or a check to pay for something. Plus my kid has needed checks to pay for things like rent depsoits for the upcoming year, rent, utilities, trips, and miscellaneous fees for things like career services or dues for honorary societies, etc. He had his first credit card from his bank too. He used his credit card if he had to buy books or supplies. Also, his having a bank account has been convenient for me to get money to him by putting it in his bank account from my end. </p>
<p>They don’t take BuckID everywhere. There is a nominal charge if you put money on it using a credit card. There is a limit of $500 each deposit and a $999 limit per month I think.</p>
<p>I use Chase on campus and it’s plenty convenient. There are several ATM locations on High Street (North, Central, and South) and there is also an actual branch location near South campus on High Street. For the contract renewal thing, that is only for ON CAMPUS. All of the banks on high street will remain, it just means that Huntington will be exclusive the places like the Union, RPAC, etc. </p>
<p>However, that being said, I very rarely ever need cash on campus. Everything just takes debit card, so as long as you have a debit card, it doesn’t really matter what bank you have (especially if you can move funds around with online banking). I’ve only actually used the ATM before to deposit checks and cash (you can make deposits at Chase ATMs) and I withdrew money once when I bought an iPad on craigslist. Otherwise, it really doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Hope that helped!</p>
<p>I can’t think of a good reason not to have a free student account at a bank with a branch on high street, and a debit card. I would feel uncomfortable carrying around or keeping a lot of cash in my room, and a reasonable number of places do not accept buckID, especially those stores and restaurants further from campus. I only ever used my buckID funds for laundry in the dorms, because it didn’t make sense to use it over my debit card. I have my account at fifth third, and have never had problems banking with them.</p>
<p>Also, books tend to be a lot less expensive when ordered online, and having a debit or credit card is necessary for ordering items online. Checks are necessary for paying rent when the student moves off campus, and for a few other incidental expenses while on campus.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if there is a Wells Fargo near campus? (We are OOS)</p>
<p>I don’t think there is. Its mainly just the huge ones like pnc, chase, key, huntington, us bank. probably more im forgetting but there are those for sure. During orientation there are a bunch of bank displays and they give away gift cards for opening accounts</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, we will be there on the 20th so we will figure it all out!</p>
<p>Just had a thought-if we open an acoount at orientation, do they just do the paperwork or do we actually need to bring $ for him to open the account. I really can’t imagine all of the banking tables there with everyone’s money. :-)</p>
<p>Lol no you don’t bring money…</p>
<p>@OSUlolz-thanks… 
(A person needs to be prepared).</p>