Chase does not currently offer a dedicated student checking account

Chase stopped offering its student checking product several years ago. If you are a student looking for a checking account at Chase, you will be directed toward their standard checking options instead: the Chase Total Checking or Chase Sapphire Checking accounts, both of which carry monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance requirements that were not part of the old student account.

This matters because the removal of a student-specific product means you lose the waived fees and lower minimums that typically come with accounts designed for people without steady income. You will need to either meet Chase's standard requirements or look at other banks that still offer student-focused accounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase's student checking account is no longer available; the bank now offers only standard checking products to all customers.
  • Chase Total Checking requires a $500 minimum opening deposit and charges $12 per month in maintenance fees unless you meet waiver conditions.
  • Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month and requires a higher balance or direct deposit to waive the fee.
  • Other banks including Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover still offer checking accounts with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements.
  • If you have a Chase savings account or use Chase's debit card, you may may have access to for fee waivers on checking, so contacting your local branch is worth doing first.

What Chase checking accounts cost students right now

Chase Total Checking is the closest product to what a student might choose. It requires a $500 minimum opening deposit and charges $12 per month unless you meet one of several waiver conditions: maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance, setting up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, or maintaining a linked Chase savings account with at least $300 in it.

Chase Sapphire Checking is the premium option and costs $25 per month. The fee is waived if you maintain a $75,000 combined balance across Chase accounts or set up direct deposit of at least $2,500 per month. This account is not realistic for most students unless they have significant savings or parental support.

Both accounts come with a debit card, online banking, and access to Chase's ATM network. Neither is free unless you can meet the waiver requirements, which many students cannot do on part-time income or parental transfers.

How to waive Chase checking fees as a student

The easiest waiver for students is the linked savings account requirement on Chase Total Checking. If you already have a Chase savings account with $300 in it, the checking account fee disappears. This is realistic for students who can keep even a small emergency fund separate from their checking balance.

Direct deposit is the second option. If you work and your employer deposits your paycheck directly into your Chase account, the $12 fee is waived on Total Checking. Part-time work counts; the deposit just needs to hit $500 in a single month to trigger the waiver for that month and the next.

The $500 minimum daily balance is the hardest route for students. You would need to keep that amount in the account at all times, which defeats the purpose of a checking account for most people living paycheck to paycheck.

Student checking accounts still available elsewhere

If Chase's fees are a problem, several banks still offer checking accounts designed for students with no monthly fees and no minimum balance. Ally Bank offers a checking account with no fees, no minimum balance, and no direct deposit requirement. Charles Schwab's checking account also has no fees and no minimums, plus it reimburses ATM fees worldwide. Discover Bank offers similar terms with no monthly fees.

These accounts are worth comparing if you are deciding between banks. The trade-off is that they are online-only banks, so you cannot walk into a physical branch. For most students, that is not a problem—you can deposit checks through a mobile app and withdraw cash at any ATM.

If you value having a physical Chase branch nearby for deposits or questions, the linked savings account waiver on Chase Total Checking might still be your best option. But if you can bank online, the no-fee accounts at other banks will save you money over four years of college.

What happened to Chase's student checking account

Chase discontinued its student checking product as part of a broader shift toward fewer account tiers. Many large banks have done the same over the past decade, consolidating their product lines and moving toward a model where all customers use the same accounts with fee waivers based on balance or direct deposit rather than account type.

This change reflects how banks now think about student customers: as people who will eventually have higher balances and income, rather than as a separate segment needing special pricing. It also means banks no longer compete for student accounts the way they once did, so the market for student-specific products has shrunk.

Steps to open a Chase checking account if you decide to stay

You can open a Chase Total Checking account online, on the Chase mobile app, or at a local branch. You will need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit of at least $500. The account opens immediately online or within one business day at a branch.

Before you open, decide which fee waiver you can realistically meet. If you have a Chase savings account, link it and make sure it has $300 in it. If you work and receive direct deposit, confirm your employer can set that up. If neither applies, the $12 monthly fee will be charged, and you should compare it to the free accounts at other banks first.

Once the account is open, you will receive a debit card in 7 to 10 business days. You can use digital wallet payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) immediately while you wait for the physical card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase checking account if I am under 18?

Chase requires you to be at least 18 years old to open an account on your own. If you are younger, you can open a joint account with a parent or guardian. Some parents prefer this anyway because it lets them monitor spending while you learn to manage money.

Does Chase waive fees for students with a .edu email address?

No. Chase does not offer fee waivers based on student status or a student email address. The only waivers are the ones listed: minimum balance, direct deposit, or linked savings account. Other banks like Ally and Charles Schwab do not require any of these, which is why they remain popular with students.

What if I cannot meet the $500 minimum opening deposit?

Chase requires $500 to open Total Checking. If you do not have that amount, you will need to save it first or look at banks with no minimum opening deposit. Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover all allow you to open with $0 and add money whenever you can.

Can I switch from Chase to another bank without losing my debit card?

You will get a new debit card from your new bank, but the process is simple. Set up direct deposit at your new bank, update any automatic payments, and close the Chase account once everything has moved. Most banks can help you with this during the opening process.

Does Chase offer any perks for students besides fee waivers?

Chase checking accounts come with online bill pay, mobile check deposit, and access to Chase's ATM network, but these are standard features, not student perks. Chase does not offer student discounts, cashback bonuses, or other incentives tied to checking accounts. You get the same features as any other customer.