Chase offers a student checking account called Chase College Checking, but it is not free after your first year and requires you to meet specific conditions to avoid monthly fees.

Chase College Checking is designed for students aged 17 to 24. The account comes with no monthly service fee during your first year. After that, you pay $12 per month unless you meet one of two conditions: maintain a minimum daily balance of $500, or set up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month into the account. If neither condition is met, the fee kicks in automatically.

The account includes a debit card, online banking, and mobile app access. You get unlimited transactions at Chase ATMs nationwide, and Chase reimburses out-of-network ATM fees up to a certain amount per month—currently $2.50 per transaction, up to 4 reimbursements monthly. Overdraft protection is available if you link another Chase account.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase College Checking has no monthly fee for the first 12 months, then charges $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 daily balance or set up a $500 monthly direct deposit.
  • You must be between 17 and 24 years old to open the account, and the student status typically expires when you turn 25.
  • The account includes a debit card, online banking, and ATM fee reimbursement at out-of-network machines.
  • After your student status ends, the account converts to a standard Chase checking account with the same $12 monthly fee structure.

How the $12 monthly fee works and how to avoid it

The $12 monthly service fee applies starting in month 13 of your account ownership. You can avoid it by meeting just one of these two requirements: keep $500 or more in your account every single day of the month, or have at least $500 deposited directly into the account from an employer or other source each month.

Direct deposit is the easier path for most students. If you work part-time or have a work-study job, setting up direct deposit takes a few minutes through your employer's payroll system. Chase counts any recurring direct deposit—including transfers from another bank account set up as an automatic payment—toward this requirement. If your balance dips below $500 on even one day, the daily balance requirement fails for that month.

What happens when you turn 25 or graduate

Chase College Checking automatically converts to Chase Total Checking when you turn 25 or when you no longer meet the student status requirements. The conversion is automatic; you do not need to do anything. Your account number, debit card, and online login remain the same.

Chase Total Checking has the same $12 monthly fee structure, but the requirements to waive it are different. You need either a $1,500 minimum daily balance or a $500 monthly direct deposit—the same direct deposit threshold, but a higher balance requirement. If you do not meet either condition, you will pay the monthly fee on your converted account.

Comparing Chase College Checking to other student accounts

Most major banks offer student checking accounts with no monthly fees for a set period, usually 4 to 5 years. Bank of America's Student Checking has no monthly fee as long as you are under 25, with no balance or direct deposit requirement. Wells Fargo Student Checking charges $10 per month after the first year unless you maintain a $500 balance or set up direct deposit. Smaller banks and credit unions often have lower or no monthly fees for student accounts, though they may have fewer ATM locations.

Chase's advantage is its large ATM network and mobile app features. Its disadvantage is the $12 fee after year one and the requirement to either maintain a balance or set up direct deposit to avoid it. If you already bank with Chase or plan to use their ATMs frequently, the account may be worth the fee. If you want a completely free student account, Bank of America's option is simpler.

What you need to open a Chase College Checking account

You must be between 17 and 24 years old. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must open the account with you in person at a Chase branch. If you are 18 or older, you can open the account online or at a branch with a valid government-issued ID and proof of current enrollment at a school or university.

Proof of enrollment can be a current student ID, a tuition bill, a class schedule, or a letter from your school's registrar. Chase accepts these documents in person at a branch or by uploading them through the online application. The account typically opens within one business day if you apply online, or immediately if you open it in person.

ATM access and out-of-network fees

Chase reimburses out-of-network ATM fees automatically. When you withdraw cash from an ATM that is not owned by Chase, the ATM operator charges a fee—usually $2 to $3. Chase refunds up to $2.50 per transaction, up to 4 times per month. If you use an out-of-network ATM more than 4 times in a month, you pay the fee on the fifth and subsequent withdrawals.

Chase has over 16,000 ATMs nationwide, so in most cities you can find a Chase ATM without paying a fee. If you live or study in a rural area or travel frequently, the out-of-network reimbursement can save you money, but it is not unlimited. Plan your withdrawals to stay within the 4-per-month reimbursement cap if you want to avoid any ATM fees.

Overdraft protection and what happens if you overspend

Chase College Checking does not include automatic overdraft protection. If you spend more than your balance, the transaction is declined at the point of sale. However, you can link another Chase account—such as a savings account or a parent's checking account—to provide overdraft protection. If you overdraw, Chase transfers money from the linked account to cover the shortfall.

If you do not set up overdraft protection and you attempt to spend more than your balance, the transaction simply fails. You will not incur an overdraft fee, but the merchant may charge you a returned-transaction fee. Setting up overdraft protection takes a few minutes in the Chase mobile app or online banking portal under account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep the account after I graduate if I am still under 25?

Yes. The account converts to Chase Total Checking when you turn 25 or when Chase determines you no longer meet student status requirements. Graduation alone does not trigger the conversion. You can keep the account as long as you want, but the fee structure changes when you convert.

What if I do not have a job to set up direct deposit?

You can maintain the $500 minimum daily balance instead. This means keeping at least $500 in the account every day of the month. If your balance drops below $500 on even one day, you do not meet the requirement for that month and the $12 fee applies. Direct deposit is easier if you have any income source, including work-study, part-time work, or regular transfers from a parent.

Can I open a Chase College Checking account online if I am under 18?

No. If you are under 18, you must open the account in person at a Chase branch with a parent or guardian. You will need your ID, proof of enrollment, and your parent or guardian's ID. If you are 18 or older, you can open the account online or in person.

Does Chase College Checking come with a savings account?

No. Chase College Checking is a checking account only. You can open a separate Chase savings account if you want to save money, but it is a different account with its own terms and interest rate. Some banks bundle student checking and savings together; Chase does not.

What happens to my debit card when my account converts to Chase Total Checking?

Your debit card remains active and works the same way. You do not need to request a new card unless yours is damaged or expired. Your account number and routing number stay the same, so any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to your account will continue without interruption.