Why Join SchoolsFirst FCU?

We'll help you live your best financial life.

BRIAN M. AND FAMILY MEMBER SINCE 1996

The largest Credit Union for school employees. Voted the best Credit Union in California.

Unique products and services for school employees.

Lower loan rates and higher savings yields.

More than 30,000 fee-free¹ ATMs and 70 branches.

Low-to-no fees — free wherever possible.

Personalized financial planning.

Support for the educational community.

STEVE G. MEMBER SINCE 2006

Focused on Serving You

We're dedicated to a single purpose: being champions for school employees and their families. Having served you for more than 90 years, we understand the financial challenges you face at school and home — whether it's getting through the summer without a paycheck, having to buy your own supplies or uniform, or wondering if your pension will be enough to retire — and design our products and services with you in mind.

Once you join, your immediate family members become eligible to join too.

LORI O. MEMBER SINCE 1995

What We Offer School Employees

Summer Saver or Paycheck Planner to help you set aside money for the months you don't receive a paycheck.
0% APR Uniform Loan and Classroom Supplies Loan.²
A credit card with 1.5% cash back and interest-only payments during the summer.³
A mortgage with no Private Mortgage Insurance and a down payment as low as 5%.⁴
An auto loan with a low, competitive rate and the option to skip two consecutive payments during the summer.⁵

RACHELLE W. AND FAMILY MEMBER SINCE 2018

The Credit Union Difference

You probably bank at a bank. Although we offer similar products and services as other financial institutions, we're different.

While banks are for profit, we're a Member-owned financial cooperative, which means our excess earnings are returned to you in the form of lower rates on loans, higher rates on savings, low-to-no fees and many complimentary services. Credit unions are a special place.

Even if you're already a member of another credit union, you can join us too.

You work hard for your money, and we want you to keep more of it.

According to a recent report from America's Credit Unions:^6,7,8

$396 Million

Direct financial benefits provided to Members in 2023.

$629

Average savings for every Member household.

$1,868

Average savings for Member households active in more products and services.

SchoolsFirst FCU takes my finances seriously."
ERIC M., MEMBER SINCE 2017

Angela M. and Family MEMBER SINCE 1981

Who We Serve

We serve California's educational communities, offering Membership to current or retired school employees, immediate family members of existing Members, employees of companies serving eligible schools, and college students in qualifying education programs. Membership is lifelong, continuing even if you change careers, retire or move out of state.

If you're related to someone who works for a school, college or university and they're a SchoolsFirst FCU Member, you could be one too.

ELIGIBILITY

Being a part of SchoolsFirst FCU doesn't feel like a transaction, it's more of a family."
WALTER M., MEMBER SINCE 2009

Six Years in a Row

For six consecutive years, we've been recognized by Forbes as the No. 1 Best-In-State Credit Union in California.

Walking out of SchoolsFirst FCU, seeing my daughter smiling and happy. That's why I'm so grateful."
SHERI S., MEMBER SINCE 2013

Margie D. and Family MEMBER SINCE 2011

How to Join

We're focused on serving school employees and their families. And we wouldn't want it any other way.

To join, apply online or visit a branch. You'll need to provide documentation verifying your eligibility, such as proof of employment, educational enrollment or family relationship to an existing Member.

HOW TO JOIN

Online

Be sure you have your eligibility documentation ready.

APPLY NOW

In-Person

Bring your eligibility documentation with you.

FIND A BRANCH

Call

Have questions or want to learn more? Give us a call.

Disclosures

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. All loans subject to approval.

$2 charge per withdrawal for non-SchoolsFirst FCU/CO-OP Network ATMs. Other financial institutions or merchants may charge for use of their ATM or POS terminal.
Rate quoted reflects a 0.75% discount for automatic payment transfer from a SchoolsFirst FCU Savings or Checking account. Requires at least one recently posted payroll deduction or direct deposit of at least $100 for Classroom Supplies Loan and $50 for Uniform Loan, into a SchoolsFirst FCU share account.
Earn 1.5% cash back on qualifying purchases. Cash advances, balance transfers, and returns are not eligible for cash back. Deposits will be made monthly to a Summer Saver account. If no Summer Saver share is open, deposit will be placed in Member's Primary Share 01 (Savings). Account must be open, current and in good standing.
Interest Rate/APR are higher for programs available with no PMI.
Restrictions apply. Interest will continue to accrue during the skip payment method.
2023: America's Credit Unions Membership Benefits Report for SchoolsFirst FCU. Source: Datatrac, NCUA and America's Credit Unions.
Assumes 2.1 Credit Union Members per household.
A "loyal Member" is assumed to have a $30,000, 60-month new auto loan, a classic credit card with an average balance of $5,000, a $200,000, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is replaced with a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage if it yields a greater benefit as it is assumed more in demand), $5,000 in an interest-bearing checking account, $10,000 in a one-year certificate account, and $2,500 in a money market account.