For many people, a new school year brings a renewed sense of school pride. Whether that inspires you to wear your team’s colors or hum their fight song, there are great ways to show your school spirit.
This year, VyStar members have a special opportunity to show their pride in their favorite high school without changing their daily budget.
VyStar Credit Union’s High School Debit Card Give Back Program*, which was launched this spring, has a corresponding card for all 19 high schools that have VyStar branches. Each time a school’s card is used, VyStar donates 5 cents to that school, with donations capped at $10,000 per year for each school.
Whether you are a Mandarin Mustang, Belleview Rattler or proudly support one of the many other participating schools, this is a great way to help give back.
These co-branded debit cards aren’t just for students, teachers and alumni. From people looking to support a neighborhood school to anyone with a passion for improving educational institutions, everyone is invited to pitch in. Any VyStar member with a personal checking account can participate in the Give Back Program by requesting a school-branded debit card at any branch. For information about a specific branch, please visit VyStar’s locations webpage.
If you aren’t already enrolled, a personal checking account can be opened online, at a branch or by calling VyStar’s Contact Center at 904-777-6000 or 800-445-6289. VyStar’s Contact Center representatives are available Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Individuals under the age of 18 need to bring a legal guardian to any VyStar branch to open a personal checking account.
“We hope the community will use these debit cards to generate funding and give back in a special way,” said Michael Rathjen, VyStar’s Vice President of School Programs.
VyStar’s High School Branch Program Grows
Launched in 2006, VyStar’s High School Branch Program enables students to get real-world experience running working branches under the co-supervision of school employees and VyStar personnel. The skills the students learn often translate into jobs within VyStar or in other professions in their adult lives.
In fact, more than 97,000 students have been reached with financial education, more than 1,700 paid student internships have been completed and more than 60 student graduates have been hired for full-time positions at VyStar since the program started.
“I joined the internship because I wanted to improve myself to be someone I’m proud to be,” said Ian Scott of Bradford County High School.
If students are interested in joining the High School Branch Program, the first step is to reach out to their school’s guidance or career academy department directly to learn more.
At VyStar, there is a firm belief in the importance of giving back to the community. One of the most important commitments to the community is the promotion of financial education at a young age, and one major way that is accomplished is through the High School Branch Program and unique opportunities like our High School Debit Card Give Back Program.
*All new accounts are subject to approval. Product offers, terms and other information provided herein are subject to change without notice. Must have an eligible VyStar co-branded high school debit card. VyStar will donate five cents per for each purchase made on a qualifying debit card, back to the school up to $10,000 annually. Donation will be paid to school on or around February of the following year. ©2022 VyStar Credit Union.