Go almost anywhere on campus during the first few months of a new academic year and you’ll find offers that may seem hard to turn down.

Zero percent interest for the first six months! Sign up today and get a voucher! No monthly fees!

From flyers posted in common areas to flyers handed out during class walks, information about new bank account deals, offers and products can be overwhelming. There is an avalanche of information about banking and credit options upon entering campus.

The university years they are it’s a great time to start understanding how to lay the foundation for a bright financial future, and the bank accounts you open now can help start that process when used responsibly. Here are three you should consider to help you start your financial journey.

  1. Current accounts
    Current accounts are about access. They provide a convenient place to deposit your money and allow you to easily withdraw it when you need to.

    Checking accounts can also help you manage your money and make it easier to track your spending, especially when you bank digitally. And while you can use them to pay expenses like rent, a debit card or mobile wallet linked to your account lets you pay on the go or get cash at an ATM.

    Many checking accounts have monthly service fees, but college checking accounts often have options to waive fees while in school, such as setting up direct deposit, for example.

  2. Savings accounts
    You might wonder why you need a savings account when a checking account offers so many benefits. First, most checking accounts pay very little, if any, interest, so your money doesn’t grow while it’s in your account. Second, because it’s easy to access your money in a checking account, it’s just as easy to spend it.

    Savings accounts live up to their name: you put money in the account and then leave it. Over time, your savings balance can earn interest.

    Because saving is such a fundamental part of your financial life, many banks make automatic savings easy. Simply indicate how much and how often, and consider it done.

    Savings accounts generally have more restrictions than checking accounts, such as withdrawal and transfer fees. Remember, the purpose of a savings account is to help you keep your money and grow your balance.

  3. Credit cards
    A student credit card can help you take the first steps toward building credit. Why is it important? Using credit responsibly over time, making on-time payments, investing within your credit limit, and carrying a low or no balance can help you improve your credit score, a three-digit number determined by the agencies of credit reports. Lenders look at your credit score to determine your eligibility, loan amounts, and interest rate, which is important, for example, if you want to finance a car, buy a house, or rent an apartment.

    Student credit cards are made for applicants who have little or no credit history, as many students do. Some credit card issuers also have “new to credit” or “starter” credit cards that may also be suitable for students, so be sure to research your options. Having a deposit (checking or savings) account with the card issuer can improve your chances of being approved. Look for credit cards that offer no annual fee and offer incentives like cash back or travel rewards. Some also offer upgrade paths to credit cards with more generous benefits.

how to start

Most colleges and universities have banks on campus or in nearby neighborhoods, and some schools may have partnerships with financial institutions. Come in person to learn more about available accounts or you can apply online.

No matter how you get started, be sure to find out about accounts that specifically target college students and take advantage of the deals. They’re a great way to help you build a budget, build credit, save for a rainy day, and enjoy some fun shopping along the way.