Many of us attending college are learning the ins and outs of financial responsibility for the first time. It can be a daunting process, especially if you’re far from home or have little experience with this kind of independence.
At Elizabethtown College, students often work on-campus jobs from Dining Services, to tech ops to writing for The Etownian. By even just attending a school in Pa. though, we are all eligible for membership in the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU).
PSECU has been partnered with the College for 10+ years now. You may have seen their financial education center immediately when walking into the Baugher Student Center (BSC).
Located next to the HUB, this center is run by two PSECU representatives: Jen Nicrone and Alan Lane.
The Etownian got the chance to ask Lane some questions about PSECU and what they offer students here at Etown.
On the subject of membership, Lane had this to say: “Students have the opportunity to become a member of PSECU. Credit unions typically have membership requirements, but Etown students meet those requirements because of our partnership with the College.”
This aspect of the offer is enticing to students who may not fulfill the eligibility requirements of other credit unions.
Banking is one of the main services that PSECU provides, among its other resources.
“We provide financial education as well as banking options. We have checking accounts, savings accounts… you can also get credit cards and auto loans,” Lane said.
Lane and Nicrone’s official roles are as community relationship managers, providing opportunities for financial education to students, both in and out of the classroom.
Becoming a member also has sign-on benefits that students may want to be aware of.
“By joining, our current promotion is up to $300. The first $100 is given just for opening an account. It’s to help students get started on their financial journey,” Lane said. “In addition to the banking services, we also offer an online library of financial education materials. Jen and I are available on-site to provide one-on-one education as well.”
How do students go about opening an account though? The process is surprisingly simple. Scanning the QR code outside their BSC office will link to an application, which is about a 10 minute process. Lane says that applications are responded to within 7-10 days usually.
The process is slightly different for international students, who will need to complete some in-person paperwork.
PSECU itself is an old institution, dating back to 1934. Their partnership with the College has yielded other benefits, such as the stage platform near the steps in The Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being.
They’re currently growing their reach and are in the process of training 3 new ambassadors who are Etown students themselves.
Bryce Hilton, a junior secondary social studies education major, has been a member of PSECU for a while now.
“As someone working a lot during college, it’s been nice to use a bank that’s reliable and doesn’t have any crazy fees or anything like that,” Hilton said.
Financial knowledge is one of the most important things a student can acquire during their college career, so if you’re interested, the PSECU financial education center operates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Even while in college, students can begin on that road to becoming financially successful,” Lane said.
