NetBranch Sign In
Hide Username
Forgot User Name?
Forgot Password?
Never used NetBranch? Enroll Here
Mobile Sign In
  • Personal
    • Open Your Credit Union Account Online In 5 Minutes
    • Online/Mobile Banking Service
      • NetBranch Online Banking Services
      • Mobile Banking
      • How-To & Fraud Prevention Videos
      • Bill Payer
      • Transferring Money
      • Electronic Communications
    • Debit Cards, Checking & Savings
      • Checking Accounts
      • Visa ® Debit Cards
      • Money Market Accounts
      • Savings Accounts
      • Health Savings Accounts
      • Share Certificates
      • Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
      • Youth Accounts
    • Visa ® Diamond Credit Cards
    • Branches & Hours
    • HERO Financial Counseling
    • Zogo Financial Education App
    • Deposit/Savings Rates
    • Financial Calculators
    • ATM Search Tool
    • Account Management Tools
    • Financial Safety & Security
    • TruStage™ Home, Auto, And Life Insurance
    • Personal Banking Center
    • Understanding FedNow® Service
  • Loans & Credit
    • Visa ® Diamond Credit Cards
    • Auto Loans
      • EV, Auto & Motorcycle Loans
      • Auto Express Loan
      • Shop Enterprise Car Sales
      • Warranties, Insurance & More
      • First-Time Auto Buyer’s Guide
      • RV Loans
    • Personal Loans
      • Unsecured Personal Loans & Express Cash
      • Credit Builder Loan
    • Student Loans
      • Scholarships For Local Students
      • Smart Option Student Loan®
      • Managing Your Finances: Money Tips For College Students
    • Pay Loans Online
    • Loan Rates
    • Credit & Financial Review
    • Calculators
    • Loan Promotions
  • Home & Mortgage
    • Home Loans And Mortgages
    • Home Equity & Mortgage Rates
    • Calculators
    • Mortgage Center
      • Mortgage Process
      • Mortgage Center Team
      • Mortgage Contact Request
      • Pay Your Mortgage
      • First-Time Homebuyer 101
    • Home Equity Loans
  • Financial Planning
    • About Diamond Financial Planning
    • Diamond Financial Planning Team
    • Guided Wealth Portfolios
    • Financial Planning Account Access
    • Financial Planning Resources
  • Business
    • Checking Accounts
    • Growth Accounts
    • Lending
    • Vehicle Loans
    • Visa Business Rewards Credit Card
    • SBA Loans
    • Benefits Of A Business Account
    • Payment Processing Solutions
    • Paychex Payroll Services
    • Resources & Tools
    • Business Services Team
    • Business Account Requirements Checklist
    • Request Information
    • Understanding FedNow® Service
  • About Us
    • About Diamond – An Overview
    • Branches & Hours
    • Community Involvement
      • Community News
      • John M. Faust Charity Golf Invitational
      • Scholarships For Local Students
      • Calendar of Events
    • History & Annual Reports
      • Timeline
      • Annual Reports
      • Board Election
    • Become A Member
      • Financial Decisions Made Locally – That’s Younity!
      • Eligibility
      • Online Membership Application
      • FAQs
    • Become A “Mystery Shopper” Today!
    • Blog
    • Careers & Internships
    • Contact Us
  • Become A Member

Managing Your Finances: Money Tips For College Students

Congratulations on your decision to continue your education.

Going to college is a great opportunity to not only gain knowledge in your chosen field, but to learn valuable life lessons, including how to manage your finances.

Access Your Money No Matter Where You Go to School

Use these tools to stay in close contact with your money:

NetBranch Online Banking: Access your accounts, make transfers, pay bills, and more with this user-friendly and secure connection. Electronic alerts, notifications, and statements make watching your account easy.

Mobile Banking: Diamond has mobile banking for practically any device. Use our free Android or Apple app, sign up for text message banking, or use our mobile website.

Mobile Banking logo.

Download the Diamond app on the App Store
Get the Diamond app on Google Play

Visa Debit Cards: Use your Diamond Visa Debit Card at the bookstore, online, or practically anywhere else. And Diamond doesn’t charge a fee for getting cash back at the register.

ATMs Everywhere: Diamond is part of a No-Surcharge ATM network that hosts over 55,000 No-Surcharge ATMs worldwide. Use our ATM search to locate No-Surcharge ATMs near your college!

Online Transfers: There is no need to wire money or mail a check! With NetBranch Online Banking, your parents can transfer money directly from their Diamond account to your account. You can also use NetBranch to transfer money back to your parents, transfer funds between your own accounts, check balances, and more.

Deposit Checks From Your Dorm Room: On rare occasions when you receive checks, Diamond’s Mobile Deposit Capture allows you to deposit checks online through NetBranch Online Banking. In a snap, the funds are deposited and available instantly up to $1,500.

Direct Deposit Your Paycheck: If your employer offers direct deposit, you can set them up to deposit right into your Diamond account. You can also set up automatic or reoccurring transfers to other Diamond accounts.

Paying For College

It’s no secret that college is expensive, and it’s up to you how much you are willing to spend, save, and take out in loans. Diamond is here with tips on Saving for College, Scholarships, Financial Aid, Additional Student Loans, and Credit Cards.

Savings Accounts: If your college plans are still a little far in the future, you have time to start saving! A great way to get started is to open a Diamond customizable Club Account. It’s a simple savings account that you can name to fit your savings goal then you can manually deposit or transfer money as you see fit.

Another way to help your savings grow is to open a Share Certificate. Share Certificates earn a higher interest rate than basic savings accounts and are set up for a specific length of time. Once you’ve saved at least $1,000, you can choose a term that works for you. If you plan to start college in 6 months, open a 26-week certificate, or if you plan on starting sooner, go for the 45-day certificate. When the term is over, use your money for whatever you need.

Scholarships: Scholarships are a great way to help pay for college without accumulating debt. Diamond offers the Alfred A. Panfile Academic Scholarship to local students each year.

Financial Aid: The Office of Federal Student Aid provides grants and loans to help fund your education. The great thing about financial aid loans is that you will not have to start paying them back until after you graduate. The Office of Federal Student Aid provides additional information on FAFSA deadlines, announcements, and the application process.

Additional Student Loans: In some cases, scholarships, financial aid, and your savings still don’t add up to the total investment you need to make. Whether you’re having trouble with the cost of tuition, housing, or books and other college necessities, you might consider applying for a Smart Option Student Loan by Sallie Mae.

Personal Loans: You don’t need any collateral to open a personal loan or line of credit. If you’re just starting out, this may be the best choice for you. Many students have used personal loans to pay for their college computers.

Secured Loans: If you own your car or a home, an auto or home equity loan may be a good choice. Contact Diamond to discuss which loan is best for your needs.

Credit Cards

A credit card is a valuable tool to have during the school year when buying books and other supplies. It’s also a great way to start building your credit. But, it’s important to be responsible with your credit card, or you may end up in debt and even hurt your credit score. Here are some tips to keep you from getting into a credit trap.

Don’t Run Up a High Balance: Your credit card can help you buy the things you need for school as soon as you need them, but only if you have credit available. If you run your balance up with frivolous purchases, you won’t have any room left for a semester’s bookstore total or a new computer. Be thoughtful about what you put on your card and make sure you leave room for the important stuff.

Pay Your Bill on Time: This might seem like common sense but pay your bill on time every month. Even one missed or late payment can negatively affect your credit score.

Don’t Just Pay the Minimum: Sometimes it can be hard to pay more than the minimum payment when you’re on a budget, but it is in your best interest to pay as much as you can afford. Every month a balance sits on your card is another month of interest your credit card company will charge you. If you can, try paying the balance off completely each month. If you can’t afford to pay for an item that month, decide if you really need it and how much you’re willing to pay. A small purchase that sits on your balance for a long time will end up costing you much more than the original price.

Choose your card wisely: Many credit card companies will entice you with a competitive introductory rate or special reward, only to stick you with an astronomical rate and extra fees in the end. Read the fine print on your credit card offers and see what the rate will be in 6 months or a year, before applying. Also, choose a credit card from a local institution you can trust. In Pennsylvania, credit card companies are not permitted to charge more than 18% interest on a credit card. If you have a credit card that is charging more than that, you can do better with a local card.

Think Diamond: Diamond offers Visa Credit Cards with competitive rates and no annual fee. Apply for your Diamond Visa today!

 

Staying Connected

Keep up to date with Diamond in the Community.

Diamond’s Blog shares financial information on money issues, advances in money management, how to protect your finances, and sometimes just plain fun stuff!

Scholarships
Scholarships
Smart Option Student Loan
Smart Option Student Loan
Loans & Credit Center
Loans & Credit Center
Another Blog Post by Diamond Credit Union
EducationalWhat to Consider When Financing a Personal Loan

Another Blog Post by Diamond Credit Union
EducationalPlanning a Summer Road Trip That Doesn’t Break the Bank

Another Blog Post by Diamond Credit Union
EducationalLearning the Best Way to Pay Off Student Loans

Notice

You are leaving the Diamond Credit Union website. Clicking proceed will take you to a website that Diamond may not be affiliated with and may not represent the views of the credit union.

Local Phone Number: 610-326-5490
Toll Free Phone Number: 800-593-1000
Routing Number: 231385154
Diamond Credit Union
That's YOUnity

Company Information

  • About Us
  • Locations & Hours
  • ATM Search Tool: Access to over 55,000 ATMs Worldwide
  • Contact Us

Support

  • Card Emergencies
  • Diamond Credit Union FAQs
Equal Housing Opportunity National Credit Union Association

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government by the National Credit Union Association, a US Government Agency.

  • Third Party Notice
  • Privacy Notice
  • Sitemap
  • Browser Compatibility

© 2025 Diamond Credit Union. All Rights Reserved.