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The federal funds rate is a key interest rate set by the Federal Reserve, and likely the most closely watched indicator of where the U.S. economy may be headed next. Changes to the federal funds rate provide insight into the Fed’s position on monetary policy and how it plans to respond to economic factors, including inflation and employment levels.

In September, 2024, the Fed announced a rate cut of 50 basis points (a half percentage point), lowering the federal funds rate to 4.75% to 5%. This was the first rate cut made in four years, marking a pivotal shift from the Fed’s policy of holding higher interest rates in place to battle the persistent inflation that followed COVID-19 rate cuts.

The Fed also signaled rates could drop an additional 50 basis points by the end of 2024, with more to follow, as it drives toward a more neutral rate.

Changes to the federal funds rate almost invariably create a ripple effect of changes throughout the economy, impacting interest rates on loans, mortgages, and savings. Here’s a closer look at the Federal Reserve and how its economic outlook and policies can impact your accounts.

Learn more: SoFi’s Liz Young Thomas Looks at the Fed’s September Statement

Q: What Is the Federal Reserve?

A: The Federal Reserve System was founded by Congress in 1913, with the primary goal of promoting the stability of the U.S. banking system. Since then, the Fed’s mandate and methods have evolved — today the work includes regulating financial institutions, directing monetary policy, managing inflation, and keeping employment rates high. And one of the key levers it pulls to those ends is adjusting the federal funds rate.

Q: What Is the Federal Funds Rate?

A: The federal funds rate is a benchmark interest rate that guides the interest rates U.S. banks use when lending excess reserves to other banks overnight. Banks frequently borrow money from one another to ensure they have sufficient reserves to cover consumer withdrawals and other commitments. While changes to the federal funds rate most immediately impact the rates banks use for overnight lending, they influence consumer interest rates as well.

The federal funds rate is set by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), an arm of the Federal Reserve System responsible for setting a range of monetary policies that can influence inflation, economic growth, and the job market. The FOMC is made up of 12 members who meet approximately every six weeks to review their stance on economic policies, including whether they should adjust the federal funds rate.

Q: What Factors Influence the Fed’s Rate?

A: The FOMC determines interest rate policy based on a wide range of economic indicators including inflation, employment levels, and durable goods orders data, which can provide insight into the economic health of a variety of industries such as technology, transportation, and manufacturing.

When these market indicators suggest that the economy is languishing, the FOMC may reduce the federal funds rate to make borrowing less expensive in the hopes of boosting economic activity. More money in consumers’ pockets typically means more spending and more money streaming into the economy.

When prices are rising too quickly, the FOMC may increase its interest rate, making it more expensive to borrow. That can slow spending and, in theory, help keep inflation in check.

Q: How Does the Fed Influence My Savings APY?

A: As mentioned above, the federal funds rate directly influences the interest rates banks use to borrow from or lend money to one another. But secondary effects eventually impact the wider economy, including the interest rates banks and financial institutions use when lending money through credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages. It can also affect the annual percentage yield, or APY, for savings accounts.

A federal rate decrease should eventually translate into lower interest rates when you borrow money to buy a house or car. It may also lead to a lower APY on your savings account.

When the federal rate increases, on the other hand, it becomes more expensive to borrow money, and savings account APYs typically increase.

Because savings account APYs are variable, they tend to rise or fall in the wake of federal rate changes. There are some types of savings accounts with rates that are fixed for a period of time — such as fixed-rate certificates of deposits (CDs). However, federal funds rate changes influence the rates financial institutions offer their customers for new CDs.

Q: Do Other Factors Influence My Savings APY?

A: Federal funds rate changes have a substantial influence on saving account APYs — but they are not the only factor.

Some banks offer high-yield savings accounts with APYs that are considerably higher than the national average rate. Online-only banks and credit unions generally have less overhead than traditional brick-and-mortar banks, which may allow them to offer higher APYs.

Competition among banks for consumer deposits may also drive changes to the APYs they offer. Larger banks tend to be less dependent on deposits than those with a smaller regional presence, for example, so those smaller banks may offer higher rates to attract depositors.

Even among these different scenarios, however, the Fed’s interest rate adjustments can still influence whether these banks’ APY rates rise or fall over time.

Recommended: What Is a Good Interest Rate for a Savings Account?

Q: How Has the Fed Adjusted Rates Recently?

A: After the economic crisis of 2008, the Fed upheld a near-zero rate policy for seven years as the economy normalized. Rates began to tick up gradually in 2015 until the COVID-19 pandemic upended the economy in 2020. The FOMC followed with two steep rate cuts to encourage economic activity, at the time, bringing interest rates down to historic lows.

This maneuver worked, but also contributed to the highest inflation rate the U.S. had seen in decades. In response, the Fed initiated a series of fund rate increases, culminating in a rate of 5.25% to 5.50% in July 2023 — the highest rate in 23 years — which the Fed held in place in a bid to inch inflation toward its 2% target.

September, 2024, however, marked a major pivot in the Fed’s policy as they announced their first rate cut in four years: an aggressive 50 basis points, bringing the federal funds rate down to 4.75% to 5%, with additional rate cuts expected to be announced in upcoming FOMC meetings.

Federal Funds Target Rate (2015-2024)

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Q: When Will the Next Rate Change Come?

A: The FOMC typically convenes eight times per year. Though it does not necessarily adjust rates at every meeting, the outcome of these meetings is always watched closely, due to the broad impact rate changes have on the national and even global economy. Given that the Federal Reserve’s September 2024 rate drop is expected to be the first in a series of cuts, investors and consumers will almost certainly be closely monitoring the FOMC’s next moves.

In addition, banks and financial institutions sometimes adjust their own interest rates ahead of FOMC meetings, especially when economic conditions or signals from the Fed suggest a rate change may be forthcoming. The Fed publishes the schedule of FOMC meetings on its website.

The Takeaway

While the FOMC sets the federal funds rate to directly influence the rates banks use to lend money to each other, the rate has a broader effect on the U.S. economy, impacting many financial services and products including personal loans, mortgages, and savings accounts.

Photo credit: iStock/Sadeugra

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

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.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SOBNK-Q324-111

A credit card convenience fee is an additional charge that a merchant collects on a purchase to compensate them for accepting your card vs. their usual form of payment. Perhaps they usually accept cash, check, or an electronic transfer, and allowing you to use plastic requires more time and effort for them or it triggers fees for them.

Given that more than 80% of Americans use credit cards, it’s likely that most people get hit with a convenience fee at some point. Here’s what you need to know about how they work and how to avoid them.

What Is A Convenience Fee?

A convenience fee is a flat fee, such as $1, or a percentage of your purchase (up to 4%) that’s tacked onto the cost of your transaction that you, the cardholder, are expected to pay. Here’s some more intel about these fees:

•  A credit card convenience fee is typically charged by merchants when a customer uses a credit card in a payment channel that isn’t the usual one for the business. For instance, if a trade school usually accepts payments in-person and you choose to pay online, you might be assessed the additional fee for the convenience of not turning up at their place of business.

•  The fee can reflect a merchant trying to pass along some fees they pay when you choose to use a credit card vs. other methods. When merchants allow a customer to use a credit card as a payment method, they (the retailer) are charged a credit-card processing fee for the transaction. By charging a convenience fee, the merchant may offload that processing fee.

In some cases, a retailer will factor such credit card fees into their business model and won’t pass along the additional charge. That is why you may notice that convenience fees seem somewhat random. However, convenience fees must be disclosed when they are charged; they can’t be added without a consumer being informed of them.

Example of a Convenience Fee

Here are examples of convenience fees in action:

•  When you fill up your tank at a gas station, you may notice that the price for gas is, say, 2.5% or 3% higher per gallon if you pay with a credit card vs. cash. That could be how the gas station owner recoups the credit card processing fees they must pay on such transactions.

•  You might pay an extra charge of a couple of dollars when you buy movie tickets online or via an app instead of at the box office. You enjoy the convenience of buying something with your card (and perhaps snagging seats to a show that could sell out), and the merchant is able to offset their costs somewhat.

Recommended: How Does a Credit Card Work?

Why Do Convenience Fees Exist?

The main reason you’re getting stuck with these convenience fees is because the merchants have to pay processing fees to payment networks, as noted above.

•  The payment networks or payment processors work with credit card issuers (like your bank) and the card network (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) to make sure the transaction is secure and processed smoothly.

•  The bank that issues the cards often charges the merchant a credit card processing fee for allowing them to accept this card. This is typically between 1.5% and 4% per transaction. The merchant might pass those fees on to you, the consumer, as a convenience fee.

This is also another reason some small businesses may not accept credit cards at all: They don’t want to have to pay the fees associated with taking them or pass them on to you

Credit Card Company Rules on Convenience Fees

Here’s the breakdown for how some of the major credit-card brands handle fees.

Convenience Fees vs Surcharge Fees: What’s the Difference?

While they both add to a purchase’s cost, here is the difference between what you may hear referred to as convenience fees and surcharge fees.

•  A surcharge fee covers the cost of you having the privilege of using a credit card. It’s added before taxes. Sometimes called a “checkout fee,” it is usually a percentage of the sale. Credit card surcharges are prohibited by law in a number of states. These charges are currently illegal in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Puerto Rico, but these laws are subject to change.

•  A convenience fee, as noted above, typically covers the cost of doing a transaction with a credit card instead of another payment method. Sometimes this is charged as a percentage of the transaction. Other times, it is charged as a flat fee, regardless of the cost of the products or services purchased..

How Can Convenience Fees Be Avoided?

When you’re trying to avoid credit card convenience fees, you can use these tactics:

•   You can choose to pay with a method other than plastic, such as cash, check, or money orders at some merchants. Or you may be able to use an electronic payment, such as an e-check or ACH payment.

   For example, if you’re paying for college tuition, you might be able to set up an online payment using an electronic check, money order, or personal check. At some schools, this could save you nearly 3% per payment transaction. (That being said, if you have a high-rewards credit card, conducting an expensive transaction might be beneficial if you can get cash back.

•   You can scan for notices about convenience fees before conducting a transaction. You can look for posted signs in brick-and-mortar locations and read the payment terms on websites and in apps.

•   You can ask before purchasing a product or service if paying by cash will save you money (this can sometimes be the case with service providers) or if using a credit card will trigger a fee.

Credit card fees are fairly common today, so you want to be alert to how they can crop up and avoid them when you can.

Recommended: How to Use a Credit Card

The Takeaway

Knowing that credit card convenience fees (and surcharge fees) exist, whether they are legal in your state, and how to avoid them can help save you money in the long run.

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

Why am I being charged a convenience fee?

A credit card convenience fee typically reflects that the merchant is willing to accept plastic vs. other payment methods they usually take. These fees may be a way that merchants recoup the processing fees that they then must pay when they allow customers to use a credit card.

Is it legal to charge a convenience fee for credit cards?

Credit card convenience fees are currently legal in all U.S. states but must be disclosed; they can’t be added on without a customer being informed.

How to avoid credit card convenience fees?

You can usually avoid credit card convenience fees by using an alternate payment form, such as cash, check, or electronic payment.

Photo credit: iStock/blackCAT

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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.

SOCC-Q324-046

While some states have passed legislation ensuring paid family leave for employees at larger companies, many new parents have to make do with a combination of vacation time, sick days, and short-term disability if they want to be paid after the birth of a baby.

Read on to find out what parents may be entitled to based on state regulations and company policy, and how you can maximize your benefits so you can get paid while on maternity leave.

What Is Paid Maternity Leave?

Paid maternity leave (or paternity leave) refers to the time off with pay that some companies grant employees welcoming a new baby or adopted child. Workers often receive only a percentage of their full-time pay, typically 60% to 80%, with limits based on the statewide average pay.

In the United States, businesses are not legally required to give employees paid maternity leave. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 27% of civilian workers had access to paid family leave in 2023. The U.S. is the only wealthy nation in the world that doesn’t mandate paid parental leave.

Fortunately, 13 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation guaranteeing paid parental leave. Two other states (New Hampshire and Vermont) do not legally guarantee the right to paid leave but they do provide a voluntary opportunity for workers to purchase insurance that covers paid leave. Federal workers nationwide are granted 12 weeks of paid family leave.

How Long Is Maternity Leave?

Companies that voluntarily provide employees paid parental leave offer an average of 10.5 weeks. Because many parents find this inadequate — experts recommend 3 to 6 months — even employees with paid leave often extend their leave with vacation time and sick days.

Globally, the average paid maternity leave is 18 weeks.

Benefits of Paid Family Leave

Research shows that paid family leave offers many benefits to parents and children. In one sense, the extra income helps families over the longer term, especially in lower-income households.

In another way, the time families spend together boosts the health of parents and children. Mothers are able to fully recover from childbirth, which can take six to eight weeks. And a child’s health is strengthened by the extra bonding time, regular breastfeeding, and reduced exposure to infectious disease.

Paid family leave may also cover other situations, including:

•   Adoption or foster child care

•   Care of a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition

•   A personal serious health condition

Recommended: How Much Does It Cost To Adopt a Child?

What Is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law passed in 1993 that grants unpaid but job-protected family leave for eligible employees of larger companies. Individuals can also take time off to care for any family member with a serious health condition.

The law is designed to help workers cope with emergencies that may occur without having to worry about losing their job. It also ensures that leave is available on a gender-neutral basis and supports equal employment opportunity for women and men.

FMLA Maternity Leave Eligibility Requirements

For an employee to qualify for FMLA benefits, both the employer and employee must meet certain requirements.

Employer Requirements

FMLA applies only to employers with 50 or more employees (who have worked at least 20 weeks in the current or preceding calendar year) within 75 miles.

Worker Requirements

An employee must have worked for their company for at least 12 months and worked 1,250 hours within the past 12 months. Some part-time workers may not qualify.

State Laws for Maternity Leave

As noted above, 13 states and the District of Columbia have passed paid parental leave legislation, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, plus the District of Columbia. Benefits and eligibility vary from state to state.

Ways to Extend Maternity Leave

Traditionally, women without adequate maternity benefits have made do by cobbling together vacation and sick days, short-term disability, and unpaid leave. More recently, working from home — sometimes on a reduced schedule — has allowed parents to extend their time at home with pay.

You may want to search for a parental leave consultant in your state, such as MilkYourBenefits.com in California. For a fee, these advisors can provide up-to-date information on family leave law and the benefits you may qualify for.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

How to Prepare for Maternity Leave

It’s a good idea to prepare financially for maternity leave well in advance. Put away money and save for your baby. Here’s a rough timeline to help you plan for the big event.

1. Research State Laws and Company Policies

Before you announce that you are pregnant, find out what your company and state rules are for maternity leave. You can also look into how your medical insurance will work while you are out and how to add your baby to your plan. Check whether your premiums will go up.

You don’t have to inform your employer at this early stage. Your company should have an employee handbook that outlines family leave benefits, or it might be written into your contract.

If you experience pre- or post-natal health problems (such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, or C-section), you might qualify for short-term disability. However, know that disability benefits for pregnancy-related reasons are available only in some states.

2. Develop a Maternity Leave Plan

Notify your employer of your pregnancy as you begin to show. Prepare for negotiating your leave by creating a plan for coverage while you are gone. For example, suggest a colleague you can train before you take leave. Explain how you plan to keep in touch with work while you are out. Read up on the motherhood penalty to understand how your career and financial situation may be affected and how you can prepare.

Company maternity leave policy is not set in stone. You can negotiate with your employer to extend your paid time off, or perhaps propose a work-from-home or part-time arrangement.

Your boss may not agree with your plan, so consider it a jumping off point. One tactic is to present to your employer two or three options that you can live with. Your supervisor may well pick one of them. Finally, put it in writing and have it signed so that your employer cannot renege.

3. Start Planning Your Budget

Once you have a general idea of your income during maternity leave, prepare a new budget that includes all of your anticipated expenses. Check out tips on how to budget on a fluctuating income and think about other things that may change your financial situation in the next year. Will you need a home loan while on maternity leave, for example?

A budget planner app can make the budgeting easier because it tracks your expenses for you and gives a breakdown of your spending by category. A grocery budget planner may come in handy as well.

4. Write a Plan for Your Replacement

Before you write out instructions for those who will cover for you while you are gone, have a discussion with your teammates to make sure they are on board. Include in your instructions the estimated dates that you will be gone, who will be responsible for what, and how you will communicate with your team (whether you will take part in meetings remotely, etc.).

The Takeaway

FMLA requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, but only about one in four private companies offers paid maternity leave. Paid time may end up being cobbled together from a combination of vacation time, sick days, short-term disability, and work-from-home time. Make sure you carefully research the benefits that you’re entitled to based on state regulations and company policy.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What questions should I ask HR before going on maternity leave?

Ask HR what benefits you are entitled to and how your health insurance will change after the birth or adoption. It’s also important to ensure the required forms are completed and any negotiated agreements for maternity leave are laid out in writing and signed by your employer.

How should you prepare financially for maternity leave?

In an ideal world, you would start saving for the baby before you are pregnant. Once you have negotiated your maternity leave and have an idea of your income, create a new budget that includes baby expenses.

Also check whether you qualify for any tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, or the Adoption Credit and Adoption Assistance Programs. Taking out a College 529 savings plan for your child may have tax advantages.

What is short-term disability insurance and how does it impact maternity leave?

Short-term disability is an insurance program offered by some employers. Policies vary, but you might be entitled to 50% of your income or more for up to six weeks after giving birth if you have a C-section or experience complications. Check with your staff handbook and your HR department to find out if you might be eligible for short-term disability.

Photo credit: iStock/Maria Korneeva

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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.

SORL-Q324-016

Student athletes typically have extra busy schedules along with the usual college expenses. Between classes, course work, practices, and games or competitions, finding the time for a job to make some money can be tough.

Fortunately, there are many ways for college athletes to make money — through coaching, training gigs, remote work options, and more. With a little creativity, it’s possible to earn some cash doing what an athlete does best: playing to your strengths.

Here, you’ll learn more about how college athletes can make money while working on their degree.

Rising Cost of College

There’s no doubt that college is a big-ticket item: In the 2023-2024 school year, the average cost of tuition and fees at a public college was $11,260 for in-state residents, and $29,150 for out-of-state residents. For private college, the average cost was $41,540.

Between 1963 and 2021, the average cost of an undergraduate degree went up by more than 135%.

Even if you’ve been awarded a scholarship, student athletes still need money for everyday expenses and all those protein bars. If you’re wondering how to make ends meet, read on to learn how you can make money as a college athlete.

12 Smart Ways to Make Money as a Student Athlete

If you need to balance athletics and academics, there are an array of part-time job opportunities well-suited for the student athlete.

Here are 12 ways you can use your skills and talents to add to your college bank account.

1. Working for the Athletics Department

Landing a job in your school’s athletics department can be a convenient way to earn money while figuring out how to get involved at college and meet other students. Many college athletic departments can provide part-time gigs — in the office or the locker room.

Try asking your coach or athletic director about money-making opportunities. Athletic departments often need the support and, since they’ll be helping out a student athlete, the arrangement can be a real win-win.

2. Training Younger Athletes

Your athletic talents can help nurture the next generation. You could earn an hourly wage working in an after-school sports program for kids — either directly at a school, with a private league/program, or with an organization such as the YMCA.

Parents are often looking for role models to coach and train their children. Some college athletes offer their expertise in a private one-on-one or small group setting for an hourly rate — often between $20 and $25.

Your coach or athletic director may have insight on opportunities for working with children. Bonus: Running around with those energetic kids can help keep you in shape.

Recommended: 15 Low-Cost Side Hustles

3. Personal Training

Still curious about how a college athlete can earn money? Think about all those hours spent training, whether your sport is baseball or gymnastics. You can parlay your workout know-how into income. As a personal trainer, you could make a $20-plus an hour working with a client, and schedule sessions around your availability.

However, some clients (definitely gyms) may require you to have a personal trainer certificate from an accredited program, which could take time and money to acquire.

4. Managing Social Media

In addition to hours in the weight room, college athletes, like most young people, have likely spent a lot of time on social media. Why not turn those hours of screen time into cash?

Some small businesses don’t have a social media presence. You could check with your campus pizza joint, a local fitness center, or your team’s favorite coffee bar and see if they might hire you to set up or maintain their social media accounts. You could arrange for an hourly rate or flat monthly fee.

Recommended: Finding Jobs That Pay Off Student Loans

5. Vlogging

Some student athletes start their own YouTube vlog relating their experiences or testing sports equipment. If you’re able to grow your audience, you may be able to eventually monetize it by using income-producing programs such as Google Adsense.

The flexibility of vlogging can be great for a busy college athlete’s schedule, but it might take a while for you to learn how to get paid for social media and start bringing in income.

6. Writing Sports Articles

You might be able to make some extra dough by writing about your experiences as a college athlete, such as personal stories or articles about your triumphs and challenges, or perhaps an insider’s scoop on the big match.

Check with local newspapers or online sports publications for submission requirements and pay scale.

7. Working Seasonal Jobs

Many college athletes may have more hours for a job during the off-season. If the bulk of your athletic commitments are in the spring, you might consider an easy way to make money in the winter, whether shoveling driveways or ski detailing in a sporting goods store.

If your sport primarily takes place in the winter, you might have free time for an athletic summer job, such as being a lifeguard or a counselor at a sports camp.

8. Selling Old Sports Gear

Student athletes can clean out their closets and earn extra money by selling their gently used sports equipment, apparel, and footwear. Online marketplaces such as SidelineSwap and Geartrade deal specifically in used sports products. Or you can always list your items on Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, and/or Craigslist.

9. Selling Sports Cards

Like many college athletes, you may have spent your childhood collecting trading cards of your sports heroes. Now your hobby could really pay off. There are many websites and antique stores that might be interested in buying individual cards or your whole collection.

Only one problem: Some of your sports cards may have high sentimental value. You may not be able to part with them!

10. Starting an Online Business

Being your own boss can be a great way to ensure a flexible schedule for a college athlete, so think about tapping your entrepreneurial instincts and off-the-field talents. The possibilities are endless — editing services, translation services, online T-shirt sales with a unique logo for your team. You might also hire your teammates to help out.

11. Modeling

Yet another way student athletes can make extra money on the side: Many are physically fit, which might make them good candidates for modeling work. You could submit photos to a local talent/modeling agency and mention your athletic skills as a plus. A photo shoot for a print ad or an on-camera commercial can yield good money for a few hours of work.

12. Cashing in on Endorsements

In 2021, college athletes earned the legal right to profit off of their names, images, and likeness (NIL). Essentially, NIL allows college athletes to market their personal brands in a variety of ways. including endorsements, sponsorships, social media posts, and more. While some student athletes have raked in six-figure (and higher) endorsement deals, the average income from NIL deals for student-athletes ranges from $1,000 to $10,000.

While the ruling may be controversial, for some, it’s an easy way to benefit from your years of hard work and dedication to your sport.

The Takeaway

Many student-athletes are able to leverage their years of training and discipline into finding a part-time job. You may be able to channel your sports knowledge and work ethic into coaching, personal training, vlogging, writing sports articles, or launching an online business.

It may take some time, effort, and creative thinking, but you can likely find an income source that is financially rewarding and won’t put your studies or athletic performance in the penalty box.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Is it legal for student athletes to make money?

Student athletes are allowed to hold on-campus and off-campus jobs.

How many hours are student athletes able to work?

The NCAA dictates that student athletes are limited to participate in school athletic activities for a maximum of four hours a day, or 20 hours a week. Depending on a student’s course load, that leaves a few hours a day for a part-time job.

Do student athletes get paid?

Student athletes don’t receive salaries from colleges. However, they are allowed to monetize their name, image, and likeness, and benefit financially from commercial endorsements.

Photo credit: iStock/GCShutter

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

*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.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible 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 (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, 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 Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
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.

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When it comes to changing bank accounts, inertia often sets in. But is it wise to sit tight with your current banking situation?

Big banks may count on you to do so. They know that once you start a relationship with them, it can be hard to change. Maybe you’ve signed up for direct deposit or you’ve had your account since college. You may like that there’s a brick-and-mortar branch near you and are reluctant to switch to online banking. Or maybe you have an online bank and figure they’re all about the same.

Whatever the case, now may be the time to rethink your banking relationship. Rising interest rates have encouraged some banks to offer more attractive rates as well as plenty of features and services with low or no fees.

Take a look at these five reasons why you may benefit from switching banks.

Smart Reasons to Switch to a New Bank

1: Higher Rates

The Federal Reserve (a.k.a., “the Fed”) raised the federal funds rate — a key borrowing benchmark — 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023. In response, some, but not all, banks have increased the annual percentage yield (APY) they pay on their savings and checking accounts. While the national average savings account rate is only 0.42% APY as of December 16, 2024, some online banks are offering rates higher than 3.00% APY. An increase like that can add up over time and boost your savings.

It’s important to remember that your bank won’t automatically raise rates in line with the Fed. Some banks find that an increase doesn’t fit with their business plan. Or they may figure they won’t lose many customers if they don’t offer an increase.

Thanks to lower overhead costs, online bank accounts tend to offer higher rates than bank accounts offered by traditional banks. It makes sense to check what APY you’re currently earning on your bank account and see how that compares with other banks. That’s a tip for both checking accounts and savings accounts; there’s no reason not to earn top dollar.

Recommended: All About Interest Rates and How They Work

2: Low or No Fees

You may also want to make sure any extra interest you’re earning isn’t eaten up by fees. In fact, avoiding the usual fees can be a good reason to switch banks. Minimum balance fees, maintenance fees, paper statement fees, savings withdrawal fees, out-of-network ATM fees, and overdraft/non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees can add up over time and take a chunk of your savings.

In some cases, the fees you pay will depend on the way you bank. People who have a high monthly balance or who link their checking and savings accounts may never incur fees. Or, if your bank offers a wide network of ATMs in your area, out-of-network ATM fees will hardly ever apply. That said, many institutions, particularly online banks, offer no-fee banking with competitive APYs, so you can avoid paying any account fees at all. This can be a wise move if you are being charged costly banking fees.

3: Better Online and Mobile Banking

When it comes to managing a bank account, today’s consumers generally want it to be fast and simple. Many have gotten accustomed to 24/7 banking. It used to be that online banks offered the most advanced digital services. To compete, many brick-and-mortar banks have improved their websites and mobile apps. But whether it’s an online or traditional bank, not all portals are the best they can be.

When looking for a new bank account, you’ll want to make sure the bank you’re considering offers a secure, easy-to-use, state-of-the-art platform. Can you pay bills, scan mobile deposits, check your real-time balance, change your password, report possible fraud, and complete other functions at any time and almost anywhere you have a secure connection? Is there a chat or phone function available to get help if you need it? If possible, talk to other customers to see if they’ve experienced any glitches or compromised security.

If you are lacking the convenience of online and mobile banking, you may want to rethink where you bank for these reasons. There are many pros to online and mobile banking, and you should be enjoying them.

4: More Banking Features

Many banks offer lots of extras when you open a new account or agree to maintain a certain minimum deposit. Waiving fees is common. So is a monthly reimbursement for out-of-network ATM fees. Some banks may offer a limited amount of no-fee overdraft protection coverage.

Also available: Connected checking and savings accounts with combined interest, discounts on personal loans from the same institution, and budgeting tools included in the banking app. In addition, many banks offer incentives for setting up direct deposit and early pay options that offer faster access to your paycheck.

Once you’ve created a list of banks with favorable APYs, it’s a good idea to compare the various features each bank offers to help determine which is the best fit for your needs.

5: Sign-Up Incentives

While switching banks isn’t necessarily complicated, it’s probably not a good idea to do so solely because of a temporary sign-up promotion. If the fees are high, or the bank lacks other features you need, the bonus or other incentive likely isn’t worth the trouble.

That said, if you’re shopping for a new bank, whether it’s a small or a large bank, and all other things are equal, it might make sense to take advantage of a special bank promotion. Who wouldn’t want some extra cash or a higher interest rate?

Recommended: 8 Ways to Make Your Money Work for You

Meet the new SoFi Plus!

Get access to higher APY, credit card cash back rewards, discounts, and more.

The Takeaway

The process of switching banks does entail some time and paperwork. So it’s easy to understand why consumers often avoid this task. But additional banking features, low or no fees, and a higher interest rate are some of the reasons why making the switch can make sense. Choosing a bank that’s a better fit can help improve your overall financial picture.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Photo credit: iStock/NicolasMcComber

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

*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.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible 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 (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, 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 Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
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.

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