Student Checking

Get convenient access to mobile banking and the cost-saving features you deserve with Student Checking.

Smiling Hispanic female college student holding notebook, smartphone, and backpack

Perfect for you if:

You're a busy student, always on the go, and looking for an account to fit your life.

You're under the age of 26 and want an account with no monthly fee or minimum balance requirements.1

Open an account Learn how to get started
Cheerful African-American male college student holding coffee and looking at laptop

What to expect:

  • $0 monthly service charge1
  • 55,000+ fee-free ATMs all over the world
  • Free eStatements2
  • Instant issue contactless debit card
  • Online banking with mobile deposit, bill pay and more
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • $25 initial deposit required to open
  • Does not earn interest

These benefits make the grade

As you embark on your future endeavors, you need a bank you can trust. Here’s a quick look at more benefits you’ll enjoy with your account:

Online banking with mobile deposit & account alerts

Our digital tools

Savings and money market accounts available

Learn more

Overdraft options when you need them

Overdraft FAQs

Loan benefits on personal, auto, and home equity loans and lines3

View lending options

Mortgage closing cost discounts4

Compare mortgages

f1RST® Balance Boost short-term loans

View program details

I'm ready to open an account; what's next?

  • Account requirements

To open an account online, you must be:

  • At least 18 years old (applicants under 18 can apply in a financial center)
  • A U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien
  • A resident of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, or Illinois
Apply online Find a financial center
  • Required documents

What you'll need:

  • 5-10 minutes
  • Social Security number
  • U.S. government-issued ID (Driver's License, Passport, Military ID, or State-issued ID)
  • For joint accounts you'll need the email address for the joint applicant.
  • Add money

To add money to your account, you'll need:

A debit or credit card with CVV code to transfer at least $25 to your new account.

Frequently asked questions

It’s easy to open a Student Checking account with us.

  1. Requirements: At least 18 years old (applicants under 18 can apply in a financial center); a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien; a resident of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, or Illinois.
  2. Documents: Social Security number; U.S. government-issued ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, or State Issued ID); for joint accounts you’ll need the email address of the joint applicant.
  3. Add money to your account: A debit or credit card number with CVV code to transfer at least $25 to your new account.

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction (“Insufficient Balance”), but we authorize or pay it anyway. We understand sometimes life can throw you a curveball, so we’ve simplified our policy. We offer:

$25 Buffer
When your account has been overdrawn, you get a $25 buffer. That means if your account's available balance is overdrawn by $25 or less, you won't be subject to the Overdraft Paid Item Fee.

$0 Returned Item Fee
If your transaction doesn't go through due to insufficient funds, you won't get charged a fee for the returned or declined transaction. (On your statement, you may see a fee initially charged and subsequently reversed upon being returned/declined.) If the bank does pay for the transaction, you may be subject to the $25 Overdraft Paid Item Fee.

Plus...

  • Maximum of 2 Overdraft Paid Item Fees Per Day: When we pay items on your behalf, a daily limit of two (2) Overdraft Paid Item Fees may be charged, even if the number of overdrafts exceed two (2).
  • No Overdraft Notification Fee: If an account remains overdrawn, we'll notify you, but you won't be charged a fee for this notification.

View more overdraft FAQs.

If you are using a First Financial Bank ATM or any of the 55,000+ ATMs included in the Allpoint network, there’s no fee. If using any other ATM, you may be charged a fee by us and the ATM owner.

Seriously. No monthly service charge.1 We have your back.

We like to keep our clients happy. That’s why you’ll receive access to a 0.35% rate discount on home equity, auto and personal loans.3

We can instantly issue a card to you at any First Financial banking center. If you open an account online, you should receive your card within 7–10 business days.

Checking versus savings: What's best for me?

The answer could be both. It really depends on your goals. We can help you determine the best fit.

Compare account options

What's our difference?

The differences between a regional and national bank are distinct. We're confident a regional bank (like us) is the best bet for you.

5 reasons to bank with us

Switching banks is easier than you think

Many people stick with a bank they don't like because they think it's easier than switching. Switching banks doesn't really take much work.

View our switch-kit

GIVE US A CALL

Still have questions?
Chat with one of our professionals 

If you need any assistance, or if you just want to make sure you’re on the right track, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’ll get you in touch with a First Financial Bank team member to help with opening your new account or switching banks.

Get in touch

1 Available to students 25 and under. To open online, account owner(s) must be 18 or older. To open for an account owner under 18, please visit your local financial center. Account opened with an owner under the age of 18 requires a parent or guardian to be a joint owner on the account. Account will automatically convert to Choice Checking at the end of the statement cycle when the youngest owner turns 26.

2 Client must enroll in eStatements to avoid a $3 paper statement charge with Simple Checking, Choice Checking, and Student Checking, and a $2 paper statement charge with NoWorry Checking.

3 Can be applied to new originations of personal, auto, motorcycle, boat, RV, and home equity loans/lines (excludes mortgages and first lien position home equity loans). Loan rate discounts may vary based on First Financial Bank checking account type (excluding Health Savings and Money Market Savings accounts) and requires Automatic Funds Transfer (AFT) Agreement to have your recurring payment automatically deducted. All loans are subject to credit review and approval and rates are subject to change without notice.

4 All loans are subject to credit review and approval and rates are subject to change without notice. Contact your local banking center or call our Client First Center for more information. Additional qualifications may apply.

Carrier charges and data rates may apply for digital services.

All deposit accounts are subject to the Terms and Conditions, Special Handling/Electronic Banking Disclosure of Charges, and possibly other disclosures.