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Patriot Federal Credit Union is sharing financial preparation tips for parents with students preparing to leave for college.
The credit union published a blog titled “Parents: 5 Tasks for Your College-Bound Child” on June 22, 2026. The article outlines five financial steps parents can take before their child heads to college.
The first step is opening financial accounts for the student, including savings and checking accounts. Patriot Federal Credit Union said a savings account can be used for future expenses such as groceries and school supplies, while a checking account can serve as the student’s everyday financial account.
The second step is helping students practice using a debit card. The credit union recommends reviewing in-store purchases, online purchases, ATM withdrawals and cash-back transactions. Students should also learn how debit card purchases affect their checking account balance and that some transactions may not appear immediately.
The third step is reviewing online and mobile banking tools. Patriot Federal Credit Union recommends teaching students how to check balances, monitor transactions, transfer funds, set up alerts and notifications, and use online bill pay.
The fourth step is linking a parent’s credit union account to the student’s account. According to Patriot Federal Credit Union, linked accounts allow parents to check balances, monitor transactions, transfer money and help pay upcoming bills. The credit union said students cannot view or access the parent’s account.
The fifth step is opening a credit card for the student. Patriot Federal Credit Union said a credit card can provide emergency funds and help students begin building credit. The credit union recommends using the card for small purchases and making payments on time. It also noted that payment history is a major factor in determining a credit score.
Patriot Federal Credit Union said families with questions about financial tools for young adults and parents can stop by a branch location or call 717-263-4444.
Photo credits to Patriot Federal Credit Union
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