If you work hard amassing miles and points, it’s worthwhile to know that while some credit card rewards die with you, there are issuers who allow redemptions or transfers after death.
Here’s a closer look at what happens to credit card rewards when you die, as well as what steps you can take to avoid forfeiting your rewards.
What Are Credit Card Rewards?
Credit card rewards are a type of currency that can come in the form of credit card points, miles, or cash back rewards. They’re designed to incentivize cardholders to make eligible purchases on their rewards credit card.
As you make purchases and earn various credit card rewards, you can choose to hold onto the rewards in your account until you have enough to redeem toward a high-value purpose. Each rewards program lets cardholders redeem rewards in different ways, depending on its rules. Common redemption options include statement credits, travel bookings and reservations, special experiences, merchandise, gift cards, and more.
What Happens to Your Credit Card Rewards Upon Death?
Having a stockpile of credit card rewards after death might lead to a sticky situation for your surviving family. Akin to your credit card debt after death not passing on to your survivors in some states, some credit card rewards “die with you” and can’t be redeemed or transferred to your family or estate.
Conversely, some credit card issuers, like American Express, offer a limited period during which authorized trustees of your estate can redeem unused rewards. Certain programs that permit reward redemptions or transfers after death might require the outstanding account balance to be paid in full.
In other words, what happens to your credit card rewards after you pass on depends on the terms laid out in your rewards program agreement. Some rewards terms specifically state that rewards aren’t the property of the cardholder and can’t be transferred through inheritance.
What To Do With Credit Card Rewards if the Account Holder Dies
If you know that your deceased loved one amassed credit card points, miles, or cash back rewards, there are a few steps you can take to address it:
1. Check on accounts and rewards balances. If your deceased loved one gave you access to their account before their death, log in to get an overview of their remaining rewards balances across all accounts. If you don’t have access to their accounts, proceed to the next step.
2. Prepare paperwork. You’ll likely need to provide proof of the primary cardholder’s death, such as a copy of their death certificate. Additionally, you might need to provide the name and contact information of the authorized trustee, letter of testamentary, or other details.
3. Contact the card issuer. You must inform the card issuer in the event of a primary cardholder’s death. Supply the necessary documentation you’ve gathered, and inquire about your options to redeem the rewards.
Generally, credit card companies offer at least one of a few options, though how a credit card works will vary by issuer. The rewards might be forfeited if they’re non-transferable or expire upon the cardholder’s death. Some credit card terms automatically convert the rewards into a statement credit, while other issuers allow rewards redemption or transfers to another existing, active account.
Ways You Can Avoid Forfeiting Your Credit Card Rewards
You’re ultimately at the mercy of a reward program’s user agreement in terms of what to do with credit card rewards after death. However, planning ahead can help you avoid relinquishing earned rewards.
Not Hoarding Your Points
To avoid facing a scenario in which your credit card rewards die with you, make an effort to redeem credit card points or miles on a rolling basis.
For example, at the end of each year, use credit card rewards to travel for less money or apply them to your account as a statement credit. Keep in mind that different redemption options have varying valuations, so look into which redemption strategy makes sense for your situation.
Choosing Cards With Favorable Death Terms
Although a particular program might offer enticing rewards — such as the chance to enjoy credit card bonuses — it might not be advantageous if the program has strict terms regarding a cardholder’s death.
American Express, for instance, has relatively lenient terms when dealing with the rewards balances of a deceased cardholder.
If you have multiple rewards credit cards in your rotation, using a reward tracking app can help you and your surviving family organize and track your rewards. Apps like AwardWallet and MaxRewards can let you easily see all of your rewards in one view.
Naming a Beneficiary in Your Will
Although it’s not a foolproof way to avoid forfeiting your credit card rewards, adding a beneficiary to your will is a smart move. This way, if your card issuer allows rewards transfers or redemptions by authorized individuals, your beneficiary is formally named on your estate documents as your desired recipient.
The Takeaway
Since there’s no way to know when an accident or unforeseen health issue will result in your death, it’s best to be prepared. If possible, redeem earned credit card rewards in a timely manner so you can enjoy them in life. Or consider such steps as naming a beneficiary in your will or racking up rewards on a card with lenient transfer policies.
Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.
FAQ
Can I transfer points from the account of a late family member?
Whether you’re allowed to transfer points from your deceased relative’s rewards credit card account depends on the card program’s rules. Some banks allow points transfers, while other programs state that points are non-transferable. Contact the card issuer’s customer support team to learn about its point transfer policy.
Can an authorized user use credit card rewards upon the death of the account owner?
It depends. Not all credit card rewards programs allow authorized users to use a primary cardholder’s earned rewards. Those that do might have restrictions on how and when rewards can be redeemed after a primary user’s death, if at all.
What happens to the miles when someone dies?
Miles earned by a deceased primary credit card rewards cardholder might be forfeited, transferred, or redeemed by the estate or surviving family, depending on the rewards program. Terms vary between card issuers, and even across travel rewards programs, so call the program’s support team to learn about its terms.
Can estates redeem points after death?
Some rewards credit cards allow estates to redeem points after the primary cardholder’s death. American Express, for example, allows estates to request points redemption by submitting a formal written request with documentation.
Photo credit: iStock/supatom
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
From saving for college to getting a leg up on retirement, creating an investment plan for your child just makes sense. Why? Because when your kids are young, time is on their side in a really big way and it’s only smart to take advantage of it.
In addition, there are several different avenues to consider when setting up an investment plan for your kids. Each one potentially can help set them up for a stronger financial future.
🛈 SoFi currently does not offer custodial banking or investment products.
Why Invest for Your Child?
There’s a reason for the cliché, “Time is money.” The power of time combined with money may help generate growth over time.
The technical name for the advantageous combination of time + money is known as compound interest or compound growth. That means: when money earns a bit of interest or investment gains over time, that additional money also grows and the investment can slowly snowball.
Example of Compounding
Here is a simple example: If you invest $1,000, and it earns 5% per year, that’s $50 ($1,000 x 0.05 = $50). So at the end of one year you’d have $1,050.
That’s when the snowball slowly starts to grow: Now that $1,050 also earns 5%, which means the following year you’d have $1,152.50 ($1,050 x 0.05 = $52.50 + $1,050).
And that $1,152.50 would earn 5% the following year… and so on. You get the idea. It’s money earning more money.
That said, there are no guarantees any investment will grow. It’s also possible an investment can lose money. But given enough time, an investment plan you make for your child has time to recover if there are any losses or volatility over the years.
Benefits of Investing for Your Child Early On
There are other benefits to investing for your kids when they’re young. In addition to the potential snowball effect of compounding, you have the ability to set up different types of investment plans for your child to capture that potential long-term growth.
Each type of investment plan or savings account can help provide resources your child may need down the road.
• You can fund a college or educational savings plan.
• You can open an IRA for your child (individual retirement account).
• You can set up a high-yield savings account, or certificate of deposit (CD).
Even small deposits in these accounts can benefit from potential growth over time, helping to secure your child’s financial future in more than one area. And what parent doesn’t want that?
Are Gifts to Children Taxed?
The IRS does have rules about how much money you can give away before you’re subject to something called the gift tax. But before you start worrying if you’ll have to pay a gift tax on the $100 bill you slipped into your niece’s graduation card, it’s important to know that the gift tax generally only affects large gifts.
This is because there is an “annual exclusion” for the gift tax, which means that gifts up to a certain amount are not subject to the gift tax. For 2024, it’s $18,000. If you and your spouse both give money to your child (or anyone), the annual exclusion is $36,000 in 2024.
That means if you’re married you can give financial gifts up to $36,000 in 2024, without needing to report that gift to the IRS and file a gift tax return.
Also, the recipient of the gift, in this case your child, will not owe any tax.
Are There Investment Plans for Children?
Yes, there are a number of investment plans parents can open for kids these days. Depending on your child’s age, you may want to open different accounts at different times. If you have a minor child or children, you would open custodial accounts that you hold in their name until they are legally able to take over the account.
Investing for Younger Kids
One way to seed your child’s investing plan is by opening a custodial brokerage account, established through the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA).
While the assets belong to the minor child until they come of age (18 to 21, depending on the state), they’re managed by a custodian, often the parent. But opening and funding a custodial account can be a way to teach your child the basics of investing and money management.
There are no limits on how much money parents or other relatives can deposit in a custodial account, though contributions over $18,000 per year ($36,000 for married couples) would exceed the gift tax exclusion, and need to be reported to the IRS.
UGMA and UTMA custodial accounts have different rules than, say, 529 plans. Be sure to understand how these accounts work before setting one up.
Investing for Teens
Teenagers who are interested in learning more about money management as well as investing have a couple of options.
• Some brokerages also offer accounts for minor teens. The money in the account is considered theirs, but these are custodial accounts and the teenager doesn’t take control of the account until they reach the age of majority in their state (either 18 or 21).
These accounts can be supervised by the custodian, who can help the child make trades and learn about investing in a hands-on environment.
• If your teenager has earned income, from babysitting or lawn mowing, you can also set up a custodial Roth IRA for your child. (If a younger child has earned income, say, from work as a performer, they can also fund a Roth IRA.)
Opening a Roth IRA offers a number of potential benefits for kids: top of the list is that the money they save and invest within the IRA has years to grow, and can provide a tax-free income stream in retirement.
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that encourages saving for education costs by offering a few key benefits. In some states you can deduct the amount you contribute to a 529 plan. But even if your state doesn’t allow the tax deduction, the money within a 529 plan grows tax free, and qualified withdrawals are also tax free.
That includes money used to pay for tuition, room and board, lab fees, textbooks, and more. Qualified withdrawals can be used to pay for elementary, secondary, and higher education expenses, as well as qualified loan repayments, and some apprenticeship expenses. (Withdrawals that are used for non-qualified expenses may be subject to taxes and a penalty.)
Though all 50 states sponsor 529 plans you’re not required to invest in the plan that’s offered in your home state — you can shop around to find the plan that’s the best fit for you. You and your child will be able to use the funds to pay for education-related expenses in whichever state they choose.
Given the benefits of investing for your child’s education, there are additional options to consider.
Prepaid Tuition Plans
A prepaid tuition plan allows you to prepay tuition and fees at certain colleges and universities at today’s prices. Such plans are usually available only at public schools and for in-state students, but some can be converted for use at out-of-state or private colleges.
The main benefit of this plan is that you could save big on the price of college by prepaying before prices go up. One of the main disadvantages is that, with some exceptions, these funds only cover tuition costs (not room and board, for example).
Education Savings Plans
An education savings plan or ESA is similar to a 529 plan, in that the money saved grows tax free and can be withdrawn tax free to pay for qualified educational expenses for elementary, secondary, and higher education.
ESAs, however, come with income caps. Single filers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $110,000, and married couples filing jointly who have a MAGI over $220,000 cannot contribute to an ESA.
ESAs also come with contribution limits: You can only contribute up to $2,000 per year, per child, and ESA contributions are only allowed up to the beneficiary’s 18th birthday, unless they’re a special needs student.
And while many states offer a tax deduction for contributing to a 529 plan, that’s not the case with ESA contributions; they are not tax deductible at the federal or the state level.
Investing Your Education Funds
Once you make contributions to an educational account, you can invest your funds. You will likely have a range of investment options to choose from, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which vary from state to state.
Many plans also offer the equivalent of age-based target-date funds, which start out with a more aggressive allocation (e.g. more in stocks), and gradually dial back to become more conservative as college approaches.
Depending on your child’s level of interest, this could be an opportunity to have them learn more about the investing process.
Thinking Ahead to Retirement Accounts
It’s worth knowing that as soon as your child is working, you are able to open a custodial Roth IRA, as discussed above. The assets inside the IRA belong to your child, but you have control over investing them until they become an adult.
While it’s possible to open a custodial account for a traditional IRA, most minor children won’t reap the tax benefits of this type of IRA. Most children don’t need tax-deductible contributions to lower their taxable income.
For that reason, it may make more sense to set up a custodial Roth IRA for your child, assuming the child has earned income. A Roth can offer tax-free income in retirement, assuming the withdrawals are qualified.
When to Choose a Savings Account for Your Child
Investing is a long-term proposition. Investing for long periods allows you to take advantage of compounding, and may help you ride out the volatility may occur in the stock market. But sometimes you want a safer place to keep some cash for your child — and that’s when opening a savings account is appropriate.
If you think you’ll need the money you’re saving for your child in the next three to five years, consider putting it in a high-yield savings account, which offers higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts.
You might also want to consider a certificate of deposit (CD), which also offers higher interest rates than traditional saving vehicles. The only catch with CDs is that in exchange for this higher interest rate, you essentially agree to keep your money in the CD for a set amount of time, from a few months to a few years.
While these savings vehicles don’t offer the same high rates of return you might find in the market, they are a less risky option and offer a steady rate of return.
The Takeaway
When considering your long-term goals for your child, having an investing plan might make sense. Whether you want to save for college, help your child get ahead on retirement, or just set up a savings account for your kids, now is the time to start. In fact, the sooner the better, as time can help money grow (just as it helps children grow!).
FAQ
Can a child have an investment account?
A parent or other adult can open a custodial brokerage account for a minor child or a teenager. While the custodian manages the account, the funds belong to the child, who gains control over the account when they reach the age of majority in their state (18 or 21).
What is the best way to invest money for a child?
The best way is to get started sooner rather than later. Perhaps start with one goal — i.e. saving for college — and open a 529 plan. Or, if your child has earned income from a side job, you can open a custodial Roth IRA for them.
What is a good age to start investing as a kid?
When your child shows an interest in investing, or when they have a specific goal, whether that’s at age 7 or 17, that’s when you’ll have a willing participant. Ideally you want to invest when they’re younger, so time can work in your favor.
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Bank reserves refer to the amount of funds a financial institution must have on-hand at any given time. These reserves are a percentage of its total deposits set aside to fulfill withdrawal requests, and comply with regulations and can also provide a layer of trust for account holders.
Bank reserves act as assurance to depositors that there is always a certain amount of cash on deposit, so the scenario mentioned above doesn’t happen. No one wants to ever withdraw some cash and be left empty-handed. As a consumer with a bank account, it can be important to understand the role bank reserves play in the financial system and the economy.
What Are Bank Reserves?
Bank reserves are the minimum deposits held by a financial institution. The central bank of each country decides what these minimum amounts must be. For example, in the United States, the Federal Reserve determines all bank reserve requirements for U.S. financial institutions. In India, as you might guess, the Reserve Bank of India determines the bank reserves for that country’s financial institutions.
The bank reserve requirements are in place to ensure the financial institution has enough cash to meet financial obligations such as consumer withdrawals. It also ensures that financial institutions can weather historical market volatility (that is, economic ups and downs).
Bank reserve requirements are typically a percentage of the total bank deposit amounts determined by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Financial institutions can hold their cash reserves in a vault on their property, with the regional Federal Reserve Bank, or a combination of both. This way, the financial insulation will have enough accessible funds to support their operational needs while letting the remaining reserves earn interest at a Federal Reserve Bank.
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How Do Bank Reserves Work?
Bank reserves work to ensure that a certain amount of cash, or percentage of overall deposits, is kept in a financial institution’s vault.
Suppose you need to withdraw $5,000 to purchase a new car. You understand savings account withdrawal limits at your bank and the amount you need is within the guidelines, so you head to your local branch. When you arrive, you’re told they don’t have enough money in their vault to meet your request.
This is what life could be like without bank reserves. The thought of not being able to withdraw your own money might be upsetting, worrisome, and deeply inconvenient. To prevent this kind of situation is exactly why banks must have a certain percentage of cash on hand.
In addition to ensuring consumers have access to their money, bank reserves may also aid in keeping the economy functioning efficiently. For example, suppose a bank has $10 million in deposits, and the Federal Reserve requires 3% liquidity. In this case, the bank will need to keep $300,000 in its vault, but it can lend the remaining $9.7 million to other consumers via loans or mortgages. Consumers can use this money to buy homes and cars or even send their children to college. The interest on those loans is a way that the bank earns money and stays in business.
Bank reserves are vital in helping the economy control money supply, interest rates, and the implementation of what is known as monetary policy. When the reserve requirements change, it says a lot about the economy’s direction. For example, when reserve requirements are low, banks have more opportunity to lend since more capital is at their disposal. Thus, when the money supply is plentiful, interest rates decrease. Conversely, when reserve requirements are high, less money circulates, and interest rates rise.
During inflationary periods, the Federal Reserve may increase reserved requirements to ensure the economy doesn’t combust. Essentially, by decreasing the money supply and increasing interest rates, it can slow down the rate of investments.
There are two types of bank reserves: required reserves and excess reserves. The required reserves are the percentage of deposits the institution must have in cash holdings and deposit balances to abide by the regulations of the Federal Reserve. Excess reserves are the amount over the required reserve amount that the institution holds.
Excess reserves can provide a larger safety net for the financial institution and enhance liquidity. It can also contribute to a higher credit rating for institutions. On the other hand, excess reserves can also result in losing the opportunity to invest the funds to yield higher returns. In other words, since the extra money is sitting in cash, it will not generate the same returns it might yield by lending or investing in the market.
Reserve requirements first came about in 1863 during the passing of the National Bank Act. This act intended to create a national banking system and currency so money could flow easily throughout the country. At this time, banks had to hold at least 25% reserves of both loans and deposits. Bank reserves were necessary to ensure financial institutions had liquidity and money could continue circulating freely throughout the nation.
But despite the efforts to establish a robust banking system, banking troubles continued. After the panic of 1907, the government intervened, and in 1913, Congress passed the Federal Reserve Act to address banking turmoil. The central bank was created to balance competing interests and foster a healthy banking system.
Initially, the Federal Reserve acted as a last resort and a liquidity grantor when the banks faced trouble. During the 1920s, the Federal Reserve’s role expanded to playing a proactive role in the economy by influencing the credit conditions of the nation.
After the Great Depression, a landmark in the history of U.S. recessions and depressions, the Banking Act of 1935 was passed to reform the structure of the Federal Reserve once again. As part of this act, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) was born to oversee all monetary policy.
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How the 2008 Crisis Impacted Bank Reserves
Prior to the global financial crisis of 2008, financial institutions didn’t earn interest on excess reserves held at a Federal Reserve Bank. However, after October 2008, the Federal Reserve was granted the right to pay interest to banks with excess reserves. This encourages banks to keep more of their reserves. The Board of Governors establishes the interest on reserve balances (IORB rate). As of July 2024, the IORB was 5.4%.
Then, after the recession subsided in 2009, the Federal Reserve turned its attention to reform to avoid similar economic disasters in the future.
Reserve requirements vary depending on the size of the financial institution. As of July 2024, reserve requirements are 0%, where they’ve been since early 2020 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to this revision, banks with between $16.9 to $127.5 million in deposits were required to have 3% in reserves, whereas banks over this amount had to have at least 10% in bank reserves.
Bank reserve requirements aside, financial institutions want to ensure they have enough liquidity to satisfy the short-term financial obligations if an economic crisis occurs. This way, they know they will be able to weather a crisis and not face complete bankruptcy. Therefore, financial institutions use the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) to prevent financial devastation resulting from a crisis.
The LCR helps financial institutions decide how much money they should have based on their assets and liabilities. To calculate the LCR, banks use the following formula:
(Liquid Assets / Total Cash Outflows) X 100 = LCR
Liquid assets can include cash and liquid assets that convert to cash within five business days. Cash flows include interbank loans, deposits, and 90-day maturity bonds.
The minimum LCR should be 100% or 1:1, though this can be hard to achieve. If the LCR is noticeably lower than this amount, the bank may have liquidity concerns and put the bank’s assets at risk.
The Takeaway
Financial institutions must have a certain amount of cash on hand, referred to as bank reserves. These assets are usually kept in a vault on the bank’s property or with a regional Federal Reserve Bank. These cash reserves ensure financial institutions can support consumer withdrawals and withstand a financial crisis.
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FAQ
Are bank reserves assets or liabilities?
Bank reserves are considered an asset since they’re an item the bank owns. Other bank assets can include loans and securities.
How are bank reserves calculated?
Bank reserve requirements are calculated as a percentage of the institution’s deposits. So, if the reserve requirement is 3% for banks with $10 million in deposits, the bank would have to hold $300,000 in its reserves.
Where do banks keep their reserves?
Financial institutions usually keep a certain amount of their cash reserves in a vault to meet operational needs. The remaining amount may be kept at Federal Reserve Banks so the balance can generate interest.
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It’s not a secret that the cost of attending college is more expensive than most people can afford to pay for in cash. Many students turn to federal student loans to help pay for college. But what can someone do if they’ve already tapped out their federal student loan resources or don’t want to take on any federal loans?
Thankfully, there are a variety of resources available to help students pay for their education. From scholarships to savings, continue reading for 14 ways to make college tuition more affordable. It may even be possible to figure out how to pay for college without loans.
14 Ways to Make College Tuition More Affordable
The key to figuring out how to pay for college without loans or financial aid is to make the overall cost of college a lot less expensive. Here are a few ways someone can make the cost of college more affordable.
1. Apply for FAFSA
It’s always a good idea to apply for federal financial aid — even if you don’t think you’ll qualify. That’s because the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), is absolutely free to fill out. This form helps determine the type and amount of aid a student qualifies for. While it’s not a guarantee that students will get financial aid granted to them, it’s worth applying to try to lower the overall cost of pursuing higher education.
Federal financial aid includes both need-based aid, like Direct Subsidized Loans or Pell Grants and non-need based aid, like Direct Unsubsidized Loans. After submitting the FAFSA, schools will use the information to determine your financial aid package. This will detail the aid you qualify to receive for the school year. The FAFSA must be completed annually.
Sometimes, federal financial aid isn’t enough to allow a student to pay for the full cost of college. Keep reading for ways to lower the costs of attending college in the event you don’t receive enough financial aid to make it easy to pay for school.
2. Qualify for Merit Scholarships
Because scholarship funds don’t need to be paid back, they can be a valuable tool to help pay for school. While there are need-based scholarship opportunities, there are also merit-based scholarships that focus on giving money to students that meet or exceed certain standards set by the person or organization issuing the scholarship. These can include such factors as academic excellence, musical talent, or athletic ability.
Merit scholarships may be available from your college or university. Contact your school’s financial aid office for information on scholarships available at your academic institution.
3. Apply for Private Scholarships
While colleges often offer scholarship opportunities, so do private companies, nonprofits, and other organizations such as religious groups. Both school-based and private scholarship opportunities are worth looking into. You can find information on private scholarships from both your school’s financial aid office and by searching online databases, like Scholarships.com, that aggregate information on available scholarships.
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4. Apply for ROTC Scholarships
If someone is considering joining the military, they may be able to receive up to 100% in tuition assistance if they do so. College’s may have ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) programs that make it possible to qualify for scholarships before joining the military — unlike the GI Bill which gives education money to those already enrolled in the military.
5. Attend a Community College
Attending a community college before transferring to a four-year university is another option to cut tuition costs. Some community colleges even offer tuition-free programs. Not to mention, when attending a local community college, it may be easier to remain living at home with mom and dad which can cut down living expenses massively.
6. Earn College Credit in High School for Free
Some community colleges partner with local school districts to give high school students the opportunity to take college classes for free which allows them to earn college credits in high school. Taking advantage of free college classes while in high school can make the cost of attending college later cheaper — especially if the student can graduate early as a result. Advanced placement (AP) classes in high school can have a similar benefit.
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7. Ask for Family Donations
While there’s no guarantee that a family will be able or willing to help pay for someone to go to college, it can be worth asking grandparents and other close family members for assistance (in addition to parents, as you might assume). Together, their contributions may help lighten the overall load of attending college.
8. Consider Private Student Loans
If someone wants to take out loans but didn’t receive enough federal student loans to fully cover their education and living expenses while in college, they can apply for private student loans to help make up the difference. Unlike federal student loans which are awarded based on the FAFSA, private student loans are awarded from individual lenders and require their own application.
Because private student loans can be more expensive than federal loans, it may be a good idea to exhaust any potential federal options before applying for private student loans. In addition, it’s important to recognize that private student loans don’t offer the benefits that federal student loans can, such as forgiveness. In addition, with loans, a longer term loan can mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.
9. Choose an Affordable School
Usually, attending an in-state public school is more affordable than attending an out-of-state public school. Additionally, private universities tend to cost more to attend than public universities. If a student can go to an in-state public university, that is likely the most affordable route they can pursue. Especially if they attend community college first to get some general education classes out of the way.
While public schools are generally more affordable than private institutions, financial aid packages can potentially even the playing field. When evaluating colleges, be sure to factor in the actual costs after any scholarships or grants and other aid.
10. Work During School
It can be challenging, but if a student can work part-time while enrolled in college, they can pay some if not all of their way as they go. If they took out loans, they may be able to use their earnings to start paying them down early so they can avoid paying interest after they graduate.
11. Budget for College With Parent’s 529 Plan
If a student’s parents set up a 529 plan (which is a tax-advantaged investment account that can be used to pay for qualifying educational costs), they can budget out those savings to see how much of their education they can pay for; a budgeting app could help with this.
Some students may not have the benefit of parents who can support their education in this way. Students figuring out how to pay for college without their parents’ help may want to focus on finding an affordable school, filling out the FAFSA, applying for private scholarships, working while in college, and using student loans wisely.
12. Complete College Earlier Than Four Years
If a student hustles, even shaving off one semester of college can save them a decent chunk of change in tuition, fees, and room and board. If they can take an extra class each semester, they may be able to graduate early and save a lot of money. Another path is to try to complete college credit-worthy classes in high school, as noted above.
13. Live Off Campus and Commute
As convenient as living on a college campus is, it can also be expensive. The cheapest living option is to live at home with parents if that’s possible and commute to school. If a student does need to live on their own, renting an apartment or a room in a house off campus may still be more affordable than living on campus. Price the different options to see which is most affordable and in line with your budget.
Some colleges offer tuition payment plans that distribute costs over several months. These don’t necessarily reduce expenses but can make it easier to pay for tuition by spreading payments out instead of expecting one upfront lump sum payment. This can be an especially good option for students working to pay for school.
The Takeaway
Paying for college is a big endeavor, but one that can be made easier if a student takes certain steps to reduce the overall costs of college. Figuring out how to pay for college without loans is challenging, but starting by applying for scholarships and financial aid can help.
To make it easier to reach major financial goals, including paying for college, SoFi can help you budget well.
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FAQ
What can I do if my parents won’t pay for college?
Students can apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), look for scholarships, take out federal or private student loans, or work their way through school. It may be challenging, but students do have options outside of their parents for financing higher education.
How can I pay for college by myself?
If someone needs to pay for college on their own, they’ll want to fill out the FAFSA each year to see how much financial aid they qualify for and how much federal student loan coverage they can get. If they need more money to pay for school, they may consider applying for private student loans and/or scholarships, as well as working part-time during college.
Is Sallie Mae a federal loan?
Sallie Mae student loans are no longer federal student loans. They are a kind of private student loan.
Photo credit: iStock/AntonioSolano
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While business checks and personal checks may seem like the same thing, there are actually some important differences. Sure, all checks can be used to pay bills or cover other expenses using funds in a linked checking account. But the main difference between a personal check and a business check is the source of funds. Personal checks are drawn on personal accounts; business checks are drawn on business checking accounts.
Learn more about how these checks work and how they differ.
What Is a Business Check?
A business check is a check that’s written from a business checking account. Banks and credit unions can offer business checking accounts to sole proprietors, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other kinds of businesses that need a safe, secure place to keep their money. Business checks are often one of the features included with these accounts.
Business bank accounts can also offer a debit card for making purchases or cash withdrawals. They typically allow for ACH transfers of funds to pay bills or vendors. But there are some instances where it could make sense — or even be necessary — to use business checks instead. For example, you may need to write or print paper checks to cover payroll for employees.
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How Does a Business Check Work?
When someone opens a business bank account, the bank may give them a set of business checks and a checkbook. If you are wondering what a checkbook is, they are simply a small folder or book that contains your checks and a check register, which is where you’ll write down deposits and credits for your account. Check registers can help you balance your checkbook.
To use a business check, you’d simply make the check out to the payee, then fill in the required information. That includes the date and amount of the check, as well as a signature. Business checks typically have a memo line where you can record what the check is being used for.
The payee can then take that business check to their bank to deposit it or cash it. The amount written on the check is then deducted from the business checking account on which the check is drawn. When the check is deposited, it typically takes two days to clear (or for the funds to become available).
What Does a Business Check Look Like?
Business checks look much like personal checks, in terms of the type of information they include. On the front of a business check, you should see the following:
• Business name and address
• Check number (in the upper right hand corner)
• Payee name (where it says Pay to the Order of)
• Date
• Dollar amount, in numbers
• Dollar amount, in words
• Payer’s signature
• Memo line
• The bank’s routing number
• The account number
• Bank’s name and address
Business checks may also include room to include the business logo or a watermark.
There may be an attached transaction stub on the left hand side of the check. You can use this stub to record the details of the transaction, including the date the check was written, the amount, and to whom it was paid.
Business checks can be hand-written like personal checks, or they can be filled digitally and printed out.
What Is a Personal Check?
A personal check, on the other hand, is a check that’s drawn against a personal checking account. Most but not all checking accounts offer checks and check-writing; some even offer free starter checks to new customers.
Personal checks are paid using personal funds. So you might write a personal check to repay a friend you borrowed money from, for example, or to pay your rent. Likewise, you could receive a personal check made out to you that you could deposit into your bank account or cash it. In terms of where to cash personal checks without a bank account, the options include check cashing services, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
Personal checks are not the same as other types of checks, including certified checks and traveler’s checks. (If you’re unfamiliar with how to use traveler’s checks, these are paper certificates that can help you pay for things overseas without having to exchange hard currencies.)
How Do Personal Checks Work?
Personal checks work by allowing individuals to pay bills or make other payments to individuals, businesses, and other organizations. When you open a checking account, the bank may give you paper checks with your name and account number printed on them. You can then use these checks to make payments.
When someone receives a personal check and deposits it in their account, their bank requests the transfer of funds from the bank on which the check was drawn. These transfers are processed electronically. Processing times can vary, though it typically takes a couple of business days for a check to clear.
If someone writes a personal check and doesn’t have sufficient funds in their account to cover it, that check will bounce. When a check you write bounces, it may be returned unpaid or your bank may cover the amount for you but they can charge overdraft or non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees for that convenience.
Bounced checks typically don’t show up on consumer credit reports or affect credit scores, though banks may report them to ChexSystems. A consumer credit reporting agency, ChexSystems collects information about closed checking and savings accounts.
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Can I Use a Personal Check for a Business Account?
Personal accounts and business accounts are separate banking products. That being said, you could use personal checks to pay for business expenses. For example, you could write out a personal check to pay a business lease or make payments to a business loan. And you could use funds in a business account to pay for personal expenses.
If you feel you must use personal checks for a business account or business checks for personal expenses, proceed with caution. Many personal checking account agreements specifically prohibit using this kind of account for business purposes. Familiarize yourself with your account guidelines. This should only happen in very limited circumstances and not as a regular practice.
What’s more, mixing your accounts this way can complicate matters when it comes time to pay your taxes and figure out personal vs. business deductions. If you ever need to review your business or personal account (say, for legal reasons or an audit), it can be hard to remember which funds were used where.
Using Business Checks vs. Personal Checks
When you need to write a business check vs. personal check can depend on the circumstances. For instance, some of the most common uses for business checks include:
• Employee payroll
• Federal and state tax payments
• Making payments to vendors
• Paying operating costs, such as rent or utilities
• Making any large purchases that are necessary for the business.
Personal checks can be used to meet a different set of needs. Examples of when you might write a personal check include:
• Paying utility bills, rent, or the mortgage
• Buying groceries
• Repaying personal debts
• Making payments to loans
• Covering school-related expenses if you have kids (like lunch money or PTA fundraisers)
• Paying college tuition
• Covering doctor bills.
Whether you need business checks or personal checks, it helps to know where to order checks safely. You can get checks online from check-printing companies or order them through your bank.
Whether you’re using business checks or personal checks, one thing is true: They can be a dependable, convenient way to move money. They provide an alternative to using a debit card, credit card, ACH transfer, or wire transfer. But if you’re still wondering how business checks are different from personal checks, here are a few other noteworthy distinctions.
Size of the Check
Personal checks are usually somewhere around 6″ x 2″ x 3″ in size. Business checks, on the other hand, might or might not be larger in size. For example, they may be 8″ x 2″ x 3″ instead. The larger size allows for easier printing and more room for writing out checks by hand.
Security of the Check
Check fraud can threaten a business’s bottom line. For that reason, many check printers include built-in security measures to minimize the chances of a business check being stolen or otherwise used fraudulently. Those measures can include holographic features, thermochromatic ink, and chemically sensitive paper. These features all help to verify a check’s authenticity.
How Much Each Check Costs
As mentioned, banks can sometimes offer starter checks for free when you open a new checking account. This benefit may not be included with business checking accounts, which means you might need to buy checks yourself. The amount you pay can depend on the type of check, any added features you choose to include, and the number of checks printed. You might pay three cents per check or a quarter or more per personal check, depending on where you order from, the features you want, and how quickly you want them printed and delivered.
Business checks range in cost, but many online retailers charge 20 to 30 cents each.
There can be other charges associated with checks. For example, you may also pay separate fees when purchasing cashier’s checks for a business or personal account. Cashier’s checks are drawn against the bank’s account, not yours, though a cashier’s check looks very much like a personal or business check.
Check Conversion Protection
Check conversion is a process in which paper checks are converted to electronic ACH debits. Both consumer and business checks can be converted in this way. Converted checks usually clear faster, but it’s possible that you may not want this for checks written from a business account. In that case, you could order business checks that include an optional Auxiliary On-Us field to exclude them from conversion.
Why to Consider Having Separate Checks
Using one bank account for business and personal expenses might seem simpler and less stressful, since you’re moving money in and out of the same place. However, as noted above, which kind of check to use is not typically a matter of personal choice. Personal checking accounts usually have restrictions against use for business purposes.
What’s more, establishing a business account has other benefits:
• Writing checks with your business name can add credibility to your venture, since it looks more professional.
• A business account helps you keep track of business finances and expense reporting for tax purposes.
• Establishing a business checking account could make it easier to get approved for business loans or lines of credit if you have a good banking history.
• Having separate business and personal checking accounts can provide an added protection against creditor lawsuits. Depending on how your business is structured, money in a personal checking account may be safe from collection efforts if you’re sued by a creditor.
The Takeaway
Business checks and personal checks serve similar functions; they both transfer funds from one account to another. However, they do have some important differences, and you typically cannot use a personal check for business purposes.
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FAQ
Can you cash a business check?
You can cash a business check if your bank allows it. You’ll need to endorse the check properly and show proof of identification to cash it, the same as you would with any other type of check.
What should be on a business check?
A business check should include the business name and address, the payee’s name, the amount of the check, the date, and the payer’s signature. The check will likely be pre-printed with the bank’s name and address, a routing number and account number, as well as a check number. A business check may also include a memo line to record the purpose of the check.
Do checks need to say LLC?
Checks do not need to say LLC unless your business is structured as an LLC. If your business operates as a sole proprietor, partnership, S corporation, or anything other than an LLC, then you wouldn’t need to include that designation.
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
