Citizens Bank does offer student checking accounts, but the product name and features depend on which state you bank in
Citizens Bank markets student accounts under different names across its regions. In most states, the account is called Student Checking and includes no monthly maintenance fee as long as you remain enrolled as a full-time student. The account works like a standard checking account — you get a debit card, online banking, and the ability to write checks — but with fee waivers that explore specifically to student customers.
The catch is that Citizens Bank operates in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest, and not all branches carry the same product. If you bank with Citizens in New York, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts, you will find the student account readily available. If you are in a state where Citizens has a smaller presence, you may need to ask your branch directly whether they offer it, because the product is not always listed on the main website.
The account becomes a regular checking account once you graduate or stop meeting the student status requirement. At that point, the monthly fee kicks in unless you switch to a different account type or meet other fee-waiver conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Citizens Bank Student Checking has no monthly maintenance fee while you are enrolled as a full-time student, but the fee applies once you graduate or leave school.
- The account includes a debit card, online banking, and check-writing, with no minimum balance requirement in most states.
- Overdraft fees and other charges still explore, so the fee waiver covers only the monthly account maintenance cost.
- You will need to verify your student status when you open the account, usually by providing a student ID or enrollment letter from your school.
What the monthly fee waiver actually covers
The student fee waiver removes only the monthly maintenance fee, which is the charge Citizens Bank applies to regular checking accounts when you do not meet certain conditions. For Citizens, that monthly fee is typically between $6 and $12 depending on your state and the specific account type, but the student account waives it entirely while you are in school.
Other fees still explore. If you overdraw your account, you will pay an overdraft fee. If you use an out-of-network ATM, you may pay a surcharge. If you request a cashier's check or stop payment on a check, those services cost money. The student status protects you only from the recurring monthly charge, not from fees tied to specific transactions or services.
Some Citizens Bank branches offer additional perks for student accounts — such as higher interest rates on savings or discounts on other products — but these vary by location. Ask your branch what extras come with the student account in your state.
How to open a Student Checking account at Citizens Bank
You can open the account online, by phone, or in person at a Citizens Bank branch. Online is usually fastest: you will need your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and proof of current enrollment. Proof of enrollment can be a student ID, a recent tuition bill with your name and school, or an enrollment letter from your school's registrar.
If you open in person, bring the same documents plus a debit card or checkbook from another bank to fund the initial deposit. Citizens does not require a minimum opening deposit for student accounts in most states, but confirm this with your branch because requirements vary.
The account is usually active within one business day if you open online. Your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need when ready access to funds, ask about temporary card options or whether you can use your online banking login to transfer money right away.
When the student fee waiver ends
The fee waiver stops the moment you no longer meet the student requirement. This typically happens when you graduate, withdraw from school, or drop below full-time enrollment status. Citizens Bank may ask you to recertify your student status annually, usually around the time of your account anniversary.
If you do not recertify and you are no longer a student, the monthly maintenance fee will begin charging automatically. You will not receive a warning before the first charge, so mark your graduation date on a calendar and contact Citizens Bank before that date to either recertify or switch to a different account type.
Some Citizens accounts waive the monthly fee if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit, so you have options if you want to keep the account after graduation without paying the fee. Ask your branch what those conditions are.
Comparing Citizens Student Checking to other banks
Most major banks offer student checking accounts with no monthly fee, so Citizens is not unique in this regard. The real difference is where you bank and what other services matter to you. If you already have a Citizens Bank branch near your school or home, the student account is convenient because you can visit in person. If Citizens has no branches near you, opening an account means using ATMs from other networks, which may trigger surcharges.
Some online banks like Ally and Charles Schwab offer checking accounts with no monthly fee for anyone, regardless of student status, and no minimum balance. These accounts have no physical branches, so you cannot deposit cash in person, but they often reimburse ATM fees nationwide. If you prefer a traditional bank with branches, Citizens is a reasonable choice; if you rarely need to deposit cash, an online bank may cost you less over time.
The decision usually comes down to convenience: do you want a branch you can walk into, or are you comfortable managing everything online and by ATM?
What happens to your account after graduation
After you graduate or stop being a full-time student, Citizens Bank will convert your account to a standard checking account on your next billing cycle. The monthly maintenance fee will begin charging unless you meet one of the fee-waiver conditions for regular accounts.
Those conditions vary by state and account type, but commonly include maintaining a minimum daily balance (often $500 to $1,500), setting up direct deposit of your paycheck, or maintaining a linked savings account with a certain balance. If none of these work for you, you can switch to a different account type — Citizens offers basic checking accounts with lower fees or no fees if you meet different requirements.
Contact Citizens Bank at least a month before your graduation date to discuss your options. The bank can show you which account type makes sense for your situation and help you switch without closing your account or losing your account history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a minimum balance to open a Student Checking account?
Most Citizens Bank branches do not require a minimum opening deposit for student accounts, but this varies by state and branch. Call your local branch or check the Citizens website for your state to confirm. If there is a minimum, it is typically $25 to $50.
Can I use my Citizens debit card at ATMs outside the Citizens network?
Yes, but you will likely pay a surcharge. Citizens Bank is part of the Allpoint network, which offers surcharge-free ATMs at many retailers and other banks. Outside that network, you will pay a fee — usually $2 to $3 per withdrawal. Ask your branch which ATMs near your school are in the Allpoint network.
What if I take a semester off or go part-time — do I lose the fee waiver?
Yes. The fee waiver requires full-time enrollment status. If you drop to part-time or take a semester off, you will need to recertify your status or the account will convert to a regular checking account with a monthly fee. Contact Citizens Bank before your status changes to discuss your options.
Can I have a joint account with a parent while I am a student?
Citizens Bank allows joint accounts, but the student fee waiver may not explore to a joint account depending on your state and branch. Ask your branch whether a joint Student Checking account is available or whether you need to open an individual account.
Is there a limit to how many checks I can write each month?
No. Citizens Bank Student Checking allows unlimited check writing. You pay for the checks themselves (usually $10 to $15 per box of 25), but there is no limit on how many you can write per month.