Citizens Student Hub

Managing your money starts now. Whether you're 14 or 24, the earlier you begin, the more confident and in control you’ll feel. Here’s how you can get started.

Step 1: Open the Right Accounts

Open a checking and savings account.

• Checking Account – This is your everyday money hub. It’s where you deposit your paycheck (or allowance or side hustle income), and where you pay for things like food, rides, or streaming.
• Savings Account – This is where your goals live. Whether you’re saving for a new phone, college books, or your first apartment, a savings account helps you set money aside so you’re less tempted to spend it right away.

Tip: Look for accounts with no monthly fees and mobile access⁵—so you can manage your money from anywhere.

Step 2: Use Tools That Make It Easy

Citizens offers tools designed to help you stay on track:

• Citizens Insights – See where your money’s going and get tips to spend smarter.
• Citizens Savings Tracker®^† – Set a goal and track your progress.
• Budget Planning Calculator – Know what’s coming in and going out, so you’re never caught off guard.

Step 3: Build Habits That Stick

Start small. Set a savings goal, and schedule automatic transfers – even small amounts add up over time. Check your balance weekly and celebrate when you hit a milestone. These habits build confidence—and confidence builds independence.

Bonus: You don’t need to know it all – just start, and you’ll learn along the way

When beginning your college search, it's important to reflect and figure out your goals, interests, and lifestyle first. Here is how you can get started on exploring colleges and finding the right fit for you.

• Explore careers and majors: Selecting a college begins with reflecting on your objectives and the field of study you are interested in. Considering what majors interest you, and how they align with specific career goals, can help focus your college search.
• Think about what other factors are important to you: Campus size, location, and cultural aspects may all play into your overall campus experience.
• Talk to your school counselor: Your guidance counselor is a great resource when it comes to learning more about certain schools, and they can recommend colleges to you based on your preferences and career goals.
• Visit campuses (in person or virtually): Get a feel for a school's student life and academic structure by immersing yourself in the college's environment, then determine whether or not it's right for you.
• Use a College Finder: Tools like the College Raptor College Match Tool can help you explore different schools based on your academic profile, financial situation, and preferences.
• Ask people you trust: Listen to the opinions of those close to you (teachers, family, friends, etc.) to get a well-rounded understanding of other people's experiences with a particular college.

Take your time finding colleges that are best for you. Be sure to explore widely and trust your instincts when it comes to such an important (and exciting) search!

We know the “how am I going to afford college?” conversation can feel daunting. But taking these steps can help make it a little more manageable.

1. Find out what funds you already have available. Do you already have some savings you were putting away for college? Do your parents or grandparents have a 529 or other college savings account for you? See what you have so you’ll know what you need.
2. File the FAFSA, every year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) tells you if you are eligible for grants, scholarships, and other federal aid. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for federal aid, filing the FAFSA could get you state or institutional aid.
3. Apply for scholarships. Millions of dollars in scholarships are left on the table each year. That’s money that doesn’t need to be paid back! Pro tip: try a scholarship search database that finds scholarships you actually qualify for.
4. Get a part-time job. There are tons of great part-time job options that are flexible for students. Put away as much of that extra cash into savings as possible.
5. Get a student loan. If you still need to fund the gap, it’s time for a student loan. If you qualify for federal loan options, use those first. Then explore private student loan options for the rest.

Learn more about ways you can help pay for college.

Building credit early is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. A strong credit history could help you qualify for better rates on loans, get approved for apartments, and even land a job—some employers check credit as part of the hiring process. Luckily, building credit isn't nearly as daunting as it sounds. Once you get started, building credit is an empowering experience.

Why It Matters

• Credit follows you: Your credit score is the primary indicator of your financial health and personal reliability. Building credit early gives you a head start on major financial milestones.
• Better borrowing power: A good credit score is essential in helping you qualify for lower interest rates on future loans—like a car loan or mortgage. The earlier you can build your credit score, the better.
• Financial flexibility: The stronger your credit score, the more trustworthy you seem to banks, landlords, and car salespeople. With strong credit, you'll have more options when it comes to financing, renting, purchasing cars, and even setting up utilities.

How to Start Building Credit

• Never miss a payment: Whether it's a student loan, credit card, or phone bill, it is crucial to make payments on time to maintain a good credit score.
• Use a student credit card responsibly: Start with a low-limit card and pay it off in full each month. Citizens offers resources to help you understand how to use your credit card wisely.
• Consider early student loan payments: You can make payments on your student loans while you're still in school. This will help establish your credit history while slowly chipping away debt.
• Keep balances low: Using less than 30% of your available credit shows lenders you're a responsible credit card user.
• Avoid opening too many accounts at once: Finding one credit card that fits your needs as a student is all you need. Opening multiple cards causes a small dip in your credit score.

Building credit is about building trust—with lenders, landlords, future employers, and yourself. Start small, stay consistent, and you'll be setting yourself up for long-term success.

Managing money is about building habits that set you up for long-term financial success. Here are some key areas to focus on:

• Refine your budget: Your income and expenses will change—think rent, student loan payments, and groceries. The 50/30/20 rule (needs/wants/savings) is a great place to start. Keep a log of all your expenses so you know exactly how much you are spending to build an optimal budget.
• Start saving for retirement: When it comes to saving, earlier really is better. Learn how to invest, and be sure to take advantage of employer matches if they are offered.
• Manage your student loans: Knowing how much you owe and when is crucial in managing your overall financial health. Citizens can help you simplify the loan repayment process. We can help you determine your repayment options, track your balances, and consider refinancing if it helps lower your rate or simplify payments.
• Grow your credit: Keep using credit responsibly; keep your spending under 30% of your credit limit and pay your bill off in full every month. A good credit score could help you qualify for better rates on future loans or even your first apartment.
• Explore financial tools and advisors: Taking the reins of your finances post-graduation can feel daunting, which is why we are here to help. Citizens offers personalized financial planning^^ so you can conquer what's next with confidence.