CU@School
Students have an awesome opportunity for a
an early financial start through our
CU@School Program!
Learning to save money is an essential life skill.
Teaching kids about money at an early age helps them understand saving and spending, so they can make better decisions when they venture out on their own. Give your kids a head start on the path to financial freedom by showing them the pathway now while they’re still at home.
Ready to get started with CU@School? First, open a Savings Account in the student’s name and the responsible adult as a joint owner.
A Regular Savings account must be opened as the primary share of any account at Meridia. Once that is opened to establish membership, our Bright Start Account can be opened for accounts looking to earn a higher dividend rate.
Benefits
- Teach Kids How to Save. Having both Savings and Bright Start accounts makes it easy to explain “some for now, some for later.”
- Teach Financial Responsibility. Teaching kids that just because you have money doesn’t mean you should spend it all!
- See your Money Grow Faster. With the convenience of the CU@School Program, kids can make their deposits each week – and no amount is too big or too small! Regular savings builds up over time and creates good habits!
- Meridia offers an extra $5 Birthday Deposit when kids make a deposit of $25 or more during their birth month, right through their 17th birthday!
Most people look back at what they remember about banking as a child, and what stands out is the candy they got when they went to the bank with their parent. Our deal is a little sweeter. We love seeing an 8 year old come in to make a deposit after their birthday, or a super successful lemonade stand sale. They hand the teller their own membership card, keep their receipt and are proud of what is theirs. Even better is when they are teenagers and want to go to buy something at the mall, a prom dress, or their first car. They are ahead of the game because they learned early.
Additional Information
A Birthday Gift from Meridia
Here’s some “icing on the cake” for youth accounts: if a deposit of $25 or more is made to a youth account during the minor’s birthday month, Meridia will deposit an additional $5. Yippee!
Is there a new addition to your family? Open an account with a deposit of $25 or more for an infant before they are 6 months old, and we will give them an extra gift of $5!
Bright Start Withdrawal Limitations
Bright Start accounts have a limitation on the withdrawals that can be taken. If an account holds more than $1500, a member can withdraw from the account with no fees. However, if the account balance is under $1500, there is a 20% penalty on the withdrawal amount. Note: sometimes this fee can be waived at the discretion of management if the member explains the withdrawal needs.
Rates
For Primary Savings Accounts:
| TERMS | APR | APY |
|---|---|---|
| Balance up to $1,000 | 4.00% | 4.06% |
| Balances above $1,000 earn Regular Savings Rate | 0.30% | 0.30% |
APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Primary Share account is paid dividends based on a split rate tier structure and the account's average daily balance for the quarter. These two calculations are combined to provide an APYE (annual percentage yield earned) for your quarterly dividend. The combined dividend is shown as a split rate on your statement. Fees could reduce earnings on your account. Dividend rates may change at any time. |
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For Bright Start Accounts:
| TERMS | APR | APY |
|---|---|---|
| Balance $1-$2,500 | 1.15% | 1.16% |
| Balances above $2,500 earn Regular Savings Rate | 0.30% | 0.30% |
APY = Annual Percentage Yield. |
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Calculator
Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect when applying online?
- When you open the account online, your child will be the Applicant and a parent or adult over age 18 will be the Joint Owner.
- Once we review your submitted application, we will request information to be uploaded via a secure link that will be emailed to you. This link works on either desktop or mobile. You can upload a photo of the document(s) requested, which commonly include the child’s social security card, birth certificate and your driver’s license. If you prefer, you can stop in a branch to complete this part of the process.
- After the account is finalized, we will get your child’s Meridia Wallet to CAS for them to use to make deposits each week!
What does a minor need to open an account at Meridia?
A birth certificate and social security card are required to open an account to comply with regulations we are bound to. In order to perform a withdrawal transaction, we require photo identification (driver’s permit or license, or current school ID) on file.
If an adult joint owner is required, the adult will need to present a valid Driver’s license or photo identification with proof of current address.
Why open an account at Meridia?
Our CU@School Program offers the benefits of teaching your child responsibility and good savings habits right at school! We pick up your child’s deposits and when they are processed, you receive an email receipt as confirmation.
We also offer many perks to our youngest members that make saving fun and rewarding, such as the birthday deposit, having their own Meridia membership card, and how cool it is to do their own deposits!
When should I open an account for my child or grandchild?
The earlier the better! Starting off their savings when they are infants helps you save for them, and hand off a good habit when they are old enough to understand how money works.
Can my child open an account on their own?
We will allow a minor age 14 or older with photo identification and social security card to open an account on their own. If they are 13 or younger, an adult (parent, grandparent, guardian) age 18 or older is required as a joint owner.
What about older kids?
Our accounts grow with your child’s needs. Once they are age 16 or older and able to get a job, they can add a Checking Account* and have the freedom to learn how to spend and save. Much easier than allowance, isn’t it?
(*a joint owner is required on the account if a Checking Account is added to a youth account)
Meridia looks like a great fit for me, too. Can I open an account as well?
We are happy to be your first choice for financial services! Yes, you can open an account with Meridia too. Apply the same way you did to open the account for your child.
You will find we really do Go Beyond – from our convenient online and mobile access to our extended teller hours (7am to 7pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 12pm on Saturday), to our Free Checking Account with our uChoose Rewards Debit Card – we have everything you need, all under one blue roof!
| DESCRIPTION | FEE |
|---|---|
| Transfers in excess of 6 per mo. | $3 each |
| Non-Sufficient Funds | $29.99 per item |
| Other fees may apply. | |
Help Your Kids Learn to Save
A Youth Savings account teaches kids how to save money and prepares them for financial success when they’re out of the house.