Hannah Logan
Many Canadian banks have accounts specifically designed for students to help them save on banking expenses while pursuing their education. Here’s what you need to know about student bank accounts in Canada.
What is a student bank account?
A student bank account is exactly what it sounds like: a bank account designed specifically for the needs of students. A college or university education is expensive enough without having to worry about paying bank fees, which is why the majority of banks in Canada offer accounts (usually chequing accounts) geared towards students.
Student bank accounts work the same as most other bank accounts but usually boast lower (or no) fees. However, these accounts are only for students, so after graduation, your account will be upgraded to a standard account.
» MORE: How to switch banks
Who qualifies for a student banking account?
While the basics of a student bank account are pretty standard across Canada, qualifications vary from bank to bank. Typically, to qualify for a student bank account, you’ll need to be:
- A Canadian resident
- A full-time student
- Registered at a recognized post-secondary education institution
Some banks also offer student accounts for international students, and others offer specialized account options for medical, dentistry or optometry students. Most bank websites list the requirements for student accounts, but if you’re unsure whether you qualify, you can get in touch with a representative via phone or email.
» MORE: How a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can help pay for college
How to sign up for a student bank account
Opening a student bank account is essentially the same as opening any other bank account. You can go into the branch and open an account in person, and most banks will also allow you to open an account online. You’ll need two pieces of government-regulated identification to open a bank account in Canada (here’s the full list of approved IDs). You’ll also need to provide proof of enrollment in a full-time education program.
Pros and cons
While student bank accounts have a lot of benefits, they aren’t necessarily a good fit for every student. Here are the main pros and cons to be aware of.
Pros
- No or low fees
- Often unlimited transactions and e-transfers
Cons
- Usually must be a full-time student to qualify, so part-time students may not be eligible
- Most student accounts only recognize post-secondary education, not high school students (however, high schoolers may want to look into youth bank accounts, such as the CIBC Youth account)
How to choose a student bank account
Most student accounts are built on the idea that student banking should be affordable and easy. However, that does not mean that all student accounts are the same. These are some of the ideal features that you should look for when choosing a student bank account:
- Ideally, the student account should be free, with no monthly fees
- It should offer unlimited or a high number of monthly withdrawals, debit transactions and Interac e-transfers
- It should not have a minimum balance requirement
On top of these features, you can also look for perks, rewards and bonuses. Benefits aren’t as common for student accounts, but some Canadian banks offer special welcome offers and benefits, so it’s worth taking a look around before signing up for a student bank account.
Like any other bank account, student accounts are safe and protected (look for a bank associated with the CDIC for the best coverage). While you don’t need to have a student account, it’s worth taking advantage of the benefits and savings on banking fees — you have enough student expenses to cover.
About the Author
Tax-Free Savings Account: What To Know
The federal government introduced Tax-Free Savings Accounts in 2009. This type of bank account quickly became popular with investors since it was a savings vehicle that allowed people to tax-shelter their money. More than half of Canadians (63%) have a tax-free savings account, according to BMO’s 2022 annual savings study. The name “tax-free savings account” […]
Shannon Terrell
Barry Choi
How to Save Money in 8 Easy Steps
1. Create a budget The first thing you need to do is figure out how much money you’re working with: what you’re spending, where it’s going and how much you’re actually making. In other words, you need to make a budget. Find out how much money you take home after taxes. Then, tally up all […]
What Is a Credit Union?
Credit unions provide traditional banking services to Canadians across the country, but they are different from Big Banks in two key ways: they are not-for-profit and are owned by their customers, who are often referred to as members. Millions of Canadians are members of a credit union, according to the Canadian Credit Union Association. Credit […]
Nora Dunn
An Introduction to Student Credit Cards
University was a time of many firsts in my life: my first time living away from home, my first job and— my first credit card. That’s right, Frosh Week featured all the usual get-to-know-you hijinks of any first-year collegiate experience, but it also featured a congenial twenty-something from a bank, standing in the middle of […]
Aaron Broverman