Opening a youth account allows your child to begin saving money early in life. This is also a great way to teach your child about the importance of finance and budgeting their current funds. Shell Western has many options, including saving accounts, car loans, student checking with debit card and more. Learn about our services for youth in the information below.
Annual Scholarships - 2024 Applications now closed.
Shell Western States Federal Credit Union has established a scholarship program to assist student members who plan to continue education in college or vocational school programs.
2024 Applications have now closed. - Thank you for your interest in our scholarship program. Applicants who have completed their submissions in accordance with the SWSFCU rules, will be contacted before May 6th, 2024 to be notified if they have been selected for one of the two awards.
Annual Scholarships
Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.
THE PROGRAM
Shell Western States Federal Credit Union has established a scholarship program to assist student members who plan to continue education in college or vocational school programs. Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability, or national origin.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants to the Shell Western States Federal Credit Union Scholarship Program must:
· Be student members of the Shell Western States Federal Credit Union whose account is in good standing as of the application deadline date (No outstanding negative balance in shares or delinquent loans).
· Be a high school senior planning to enroll in part-time or full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
AWARDS
If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $1,000.00 award. Two (2) awards of $1,000 each will be granted.
APPLICATION
Interested students must complete the attached application and mail it along with a current, complete high school transcript of grades to Shell Western States FCU postmarked no later than April 15th, 2024. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their application. If they do not receive a phone call or acknowledgement letter by April 22nd, 2024, applicants may call Shell Western States FCU to verify that the application has been received. Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applications are evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, answer all questions as completely as possible. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. All information received is considered confidential.
SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, statement of goals and aspirations and a minimum of 250-word essay or 4 minutes minimum video. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
Applicants will be notified prior to May 6th, 2024. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.
ESSAY OR VIDEO TOPICS
Create an essay or video with one of the following topics. Include a short essay or video explaining
“Why Shell Western States Federal credit Union scholarship would be of financial assistance to me.”
1. The importance of financial literacy.
2. How your finances affect your life and your future.
3. Being financially successful requires many skills. One needs to understand basic budgeting skills, know how to manage credit, practice good savings habits and how to plan for their financial future. Of these skills, describe the one you think is the most important and would have the biggest impact on your financial success and why?
PAYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIPS
Awarding of scholarship checks made payable to recipients, will be May 6th at Zio Fraedo’s at 611 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. Meeting time to be announced.
OBLIGATIONS
Recipients have no obligation to Shell Western States FCU. They are, however, required to notify of any changes in address, school enrollment, or other relevant information and to send a complete transcript when requested.
REVISIONS
Shell Western States Federal Credit Union reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and to make changes at any time including termination of the program.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions regarding the scholarship program should be addressed to:
Shell Western States Federal Credit Union Scholarship Program 1700 Pacheco Blvd.
Martinez, Ca 94553
Or, “Contact Us” to send us a message requesting information.
Youth Accounts
Youth accounts need to be opened with a parent or guardian as joint owner and are designed to help them save money for the future and make wise financial decisions. To join our credit union, you must be a member of Contra Costa County—live, work, attend school, or worship here.
All our accounts earn different dividend rates and APY depending on how much money you deposit into them. With a youth savings account, you’ll help your child save money for their future.
Youth Accounts
Once the youth turns 26 years old, their account will need to be converted into regular savings and/or checking.
Student Checking Account
Student checking allows the youth at age 15 ½ to have a debit card as well as access to online banking. All our youth debit cards have a withdrawal limit of $460.00 at any of our ATMs. With a student debit card, you can teach your teen about finance and the importance of budgeting in a safe and responsible way. All student debit cards also have statements that you and your teen can review to note how they typically spend their money. You can instill healthy spending habits from a young age!
Student Checking Accounts
Features
No monthly service charge
Free Online, Mobile, and Telephone Banking
Age 15 ½ -25: Free Debit Visa™ card with a $460.00 ATM withdrawal limit, $3,000.00 point-of-sale limit
Use your debit card at our convenient ATM locations and nearly 30,000 fee-free CO-OP Network ATMs nationwide
Go green with e-Statements!
$1.00 minimum balance
Youth Share Account
Youth shares accounts are minor savings accounts. To open this type of account, you must deposit at least $25.00 and $1 dollar membership fee; your dividend rate depends on how much money you deposit. This is the perfect way to help your child begin saving money early in life so that they’re prepared for the future. There are no monthly service charges for youth share accounts. Additionally, you’ll receive regular statements and have access to online, mobile, and telephone banking to check your balance at any time.
Youth Share Accounts
Features
Minimum balance requirement of $25.00
No monthly service charge
Free Online, Mobile, and Telephone Banking
Go green with eStatements
Dividends earning account
Mobile Banking
Get 24/7 access to your finances with the SWSFCU mobile banking app! Gain access to your account anytime you want to check your balance and latest transaction history.
Mobile Banking
More Information
With a great look and feel, it’s never been easier to find information on your accounts and transactions. For more information, visit our Online and Mobile Banking page.
Auto Loans
Start saving now for your first car with this youth account option! When you turn 18, utilize your credit union for low-rate auto loans and personal services. A vehicle is a major purchase, and most people have to take out a loan to afford it. When you have a savings account at SWS FCU, you’ll already start saving money and can apply for a loan through our financial institution.
CardNav
New security and control for cardholders. Introducing unprecedented, real-time control over your credit and debit cards through your smartphone or tablet. Keep your cards secure and get alerts about any type of transaction by downloading the CardNav app. If you receive an alert regarding a purchase you didn’t make, you can freeze your card. CardNav gives our members more control over how they use their credit or debit cards and when. You can also set limits and notifications to make it easier to budget money.
CardNav
CardNav. Manage Your Card with Ease!
New security and control for cardholders.
Introducing unprecedented, real-time control over your credit and debit cards through your smartphone or tablet.
CardNav adds another level of security to your cards by letting you decide how and when they can be used, and alerting you when any types of transactions you specify take place. You can even use CardNav to:
Control where, when, and how your cards are used
Turn cards on and off instantly from your mobile device
Limit spending amounts to reach budget goals
Restrict types of purchases made
Download the CardNav app, and gain a new level of security and control over your money today.
Simply look for the features in our SWS Federal Credit Union mobile banking application.
Digital Wallet
Digital wallets offer a convenient way to pay by allowing you to simply use your phone instead of cash or your credit or debit card. Make paying on the go a breeze. You can even add your digital card to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay to have access to your digital card at any time.
Digital Wallet
More Information
The digital wallet on your phone stores digital versions of your credit and debit cards on your mobile device. Simply load your credit or debit card via the digital wallet app on your phone or by using the SWSFCU mobile app. Use it to pay on the go!
You can add your SWSFCU cards to Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay today!
Call us at (925) 228-4545, option 2 if you have any questions or to learn more.
Contact Us
Ready to open your youth account? You’ll reach Shell Western FCU’s main branch by calling (925) 228-4545.
