Get started with your membership!
Open a Special Educator Checking account, switch your direct deposit, and meet a few simple requirements to earn a bonus. It’s easy—just receive $1,500 in direct deposits within the first 90 days, and you’ll earn a $100 bonus deposited right into your account once all requirements are met.
You’ll also enjoy competitive earnings with 5.00% APY on balances up to $1,000 and 0.50% APY on balances over $1,000—helping your money work a little harder for you.
Plus, show your school pride every day with a school-branded debit card designed just for educators.
In addition, members of the program receive valuable homeownership benefits, including:
- 1% rate reduction on a first mortgage for a primary residence
(Rate is 1% below Five Star’s standard mortgage rate at the time the rate is locked. Applies to Five Star–held loans only and is not available on secondary market loans.) - $500 toward closing costs on manufactured or mortgage home loans
Five Star also offers a guaranteed Platinum Visa Credit Cards, Money Markets, Share Certificates (CDs). As a member, you have access to the CO-OP ATM network, conveniently located in places like Publix grocery stores, with over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, including the Presto Network.
How to meet qualifications
- Be employed by a school system participating in the Five Star Works for Schools program
- Meet membership eligibility requirements
- Open a Five Star Educators Checking account
- Meet minimum funding requirements
- Enroll in Mobile Banking and eStatements
- Enroll in Direct Deposit
Opening a checking account is easy - it's just $25 opening balance. Checking is free, and there is no minimum balance after opening.
You can open your new Special Educator Checking account by:
- Visiting one of the 29 local financial centers
- Calling 888-619-1711 option 7
- or by clicking the button below.
All deposits are insured by NCUA. For more information visit ncua.gov. Fees could reduce earnings.
Come see all the great opportunities Five Star has to offer. Order your school spirit debit card. We are here to brighten your financial future so you can focus on the future of our children.
1% Rate Reduction on Mortgage Loan
1% rate reduction for first mortgage for primary residence. Rate is 1% off Five Star’s standard mortgage rate at the time a rate is locked in. Rate reduction is for Five Star held loans. It cannot be used on a secondary market loan.
Members of the program also receive $500 toward closing costs on manufactured or mortgage homes.
Credit Card Pre-Approval
You qualify for a Five Star Platinum Visa Card. It comes with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) for six months. Variable APR after the introductory rate based on creditworthiness. This is perfect for classroom setup or managing expenses between paychecks.
Special Share Certificate Rates
The special rate offered to Educator Checking members is a .25% APY bump on the current share certificate rates offered. A special 9-month certificate is offered to Educator Checking members. This comes with the flexibility of contributing the certificate during the 9-month term. A one-time penalty-free withdrawal of up to 25% of the balance comes with the special certificate.
Special Loan Discounts
As a member of the program, you get a reduced rate on loans. This includes auto, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and personal loans. There is an option to enroll in skip-a-pay during summer break. You are also eligible up to six payment deferments (30-60 days) on the life of the loan.
Win a Grant!
As part of our commitment to supporting school systems, we’re pleased to announce our annual Five Star Works for Schools grant opportunity. This year, we will award ten $1,000 grants to fund innovative ideas that enhance learning and make a meaningful impact in a classroom or the school. The submission window will close on April 24, 2026 at midnight central time.
Educational Tools
Our mini-courses offer really big value.
Managing your day-to-day finances can be tough. Some simple tips will make a huge difference. At Five Star, we offer bite-sized online courses through Financial Focus that deliver information on a wide range of personal finance topics. There's no diploma available, but there's plenty of payoff in dollars and common sense.
- Financial education courses are free for Five Star members
- Each course takes less than 10 minutes to complete
- Topics include raising your credit score, financing a home, buying a car and more
- Choose your own course of study, according to your interests
- Make a playlist and share with friends
Refer a Friend and Make Money
Let your friends know how much you love Five Star. For each friend that you refer, you get $50 and they get $50! That's a good deal. It's easy to refer straight from the Five Star app or online banking. Look for Refer a Friend in the menu of the app or online banking.
Certain criteria must be met to qualify including:
- Complete 10 or more debit card transactions (excluding ATM transactions)
- Complete one direct deposit
- Enroll in eStatements
- Earn up to $500 in a year
Program only open to members and potential members 18 and over. Account must be in good standing with Five Star with no delinquencies. Allow 30 days for delivery of award bonus after completing all of the requirements.
Take Control of Your Finances with Smart, Simple Tools
Managing your account doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Our financial calculators are designed to make it easier to stay on top of your money every day. Use the checking calculator to track incoming deposits and monitor outgoing transactions with clarity. Then, bring everything together with the budget calculator—organize your bills alongside your income so you can see the full picture at a glance.
When you understand where your money is going, you’re in a better position to take control of it—not the other way around. Explore some of our helpful calculators and start managing your finances with confidence.