How to get debit card for student

dontpushit

Hi, my daughter is just finishing her 1st yr at Uni. She doesn't want/need an overdraft or any credit cards, but would find it really useful to have a debit card. She's just applied online with Halifax but they won't give her one and I'm assuming it's only because she ticked the 'no' box when asked - will you be depositing your student grant into the account? She also ticked that she would not want an overdraft (was this a mistake too?) At the moment her grant money goes into an account, not with Halifax, that operates only via chqs or cashline withdrawals. She gives me a chq at the start of term for the amount of her grant and I give her money from it every week via online banking. This has worked out really well, she's kept within her budget and the temptation to spend more is removed. She's happy for this to continue, but I suspect that unless her grant money is paid directly into the Halifax account she won't get a debit card - would I be right in thinking this is the cause of rejection? Finally, as she's now been rejected how long b4 she can apply again. Any advice welcomed.

Lokolo

Why does she want a student account in particular?

Why not get a regular current account?

http://www.lloydstsb.com/current_accounts/vantage.asp
http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/currentaccount.asp
etc.etc.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

She needs to talk to them, and perhaps mention that x Bank is offering her such and such. They may reconsider then, or theoretically, you could set up an account between the two of you where she is a second debit card holder on it.

laurel7172

But her grant money IS being paid into the account.

Just not all of it, and not all at once.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

She didn't tell them that - computers don't tend to read between the lines like humans do.

She should speak to someone in the branch.

Mankysteve

They wont give her a student unless she gets her grant money paid into that account. No of the companies will do it there depending on A earning interest off the money she got saved in there B her going into her overdraft and being charged interest when she leaves uni. One of my friends tried. She can see get an ordinary account with debit card.

How she going to cope when she get into the real word if she can't learn to limit her spending on her own while she in Uni. It no good you controlling the money for her she need to learn to do it for herself.

jd87

If she wants a student account and not a normal one, then I have found the easiest student account to get is from Smile. There are no requirements to do with paying in loan or anything.

devildog

My dd just finished first year too has an overdraft(not activated though, debit card and just received a credit card(to build up credit score and also had problems with debit card trying to book in advance with online train companies)
DD was worried about having all her money in one account and asked me to 'look after' a large portion for her. After looking at options I advised her to open a second account in which she places immediately not needed funds and then transfers across to her everyday account when needed. This way she has the reins-but has to think about it too.
I believe that most banks like (or require) you to have all of the student funds paid in so you may have to look at her taking control with maybe all of her money and work with a couple of accounts(what worked for us was having different accounts at the same branch and provider)

SUPERMCNATURAL

i have been with smile (co-op) student account for the last 3years and the are the best... tell them to phone the bank and explain what you want and im sure they will oblige, banks do alot for students in the hopes that they will stay with them after they graduate

elissadaniels

HSBC are also a good bank to go with - they provide a £50 joining fee to students about to start university

dontpushit

Mankysteve wrote: »

They wont give her a student unless she gets her grant money paid into that account. No of the companies will do it there depending on A earning interest off the money she got saved in there B her going into her overdraft and being charged interest when she leaves uni. One of my friends tried. She can see get an ordinary account with debit card.

How she going to cope when she get into the real word if she can't learn to limit her spending on her own while she in Uni. It no good you controlling the money for her she need to learn to do it for herself.

I can understand what you are saying, however, this is her learning to manage on a set amount and not overspend! Surely you must have seen all the posts on here from people, including students, who have succumbed to temptation and are up to their eyes in debt - they've really learned the hard way haven't they! She realises she might be tempted, as a lot of friends are in debt and she is absolutely more than happy with this arrangement. I don't suppose I'll still be helping her to manage her money when she's 44!!! :rotfl: