Kristine Q., Member Since 1998
Kristine Q. MEMBER SINCE 1998

STUDENTS

Your future's in education. We're here for it.

Practical financial support for every step of your journey.

Fund Your Future

Loans for tuition, books and more while you earn your advanced degree or certificate.

Credit That Teaches

Build credit and earn cash back with the smart, low-rate School Employee Credit Card.1

Prepared to Teach

Low-rate loans for technology, attire or gear for your practicum or placement.

Student Loan Guidance

Access to free, confidential financial counseling to explore repayment options.2

Michael H., Member Since 1995
Michael H. MEMBER SINCE 1995

Your calling is the classroom — ours is helping you.

As someone shaping the future through education, you're invited to become part of California's best Credit Union — and the largest in the U.S. exclusively for school employees and their families.

College comes with big dreams — and real financial stress. We get it. Whether you're headed to the chalkboard or the lectern, we're here to support you on your career path and beyond. With tools, guidance and student-friendly solutions, we'll help you manage your money, build credit and plan for what's next. Let's do this together.

 

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:3,4,5

$508 Million

Direct financial benefits provided to Members in 2024.

$756

Average savings for every Member household.

$1,721

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

Being dedicated to serving the educational community comes with a few gold stars.

J.D. Power

#1 Credit Union
Member Banking Satisfaction

Forbes

Best Credit Union in California

Newsweek

America’s Best
Regional Banks and Credit Unions

Los Angeles Times

#1 Credit Union in SoCal

The Orange County Register

Readers’ Choice Awards
Best Credit Union in Orange County

Style Magazine

Readers’ Choice Awards
Best Credit Union in the Greater Sacramento Region

Press-Enterprise

Readers’ Choice Awards
Favorite Credit Union
in the Inland Empire

Daily Breeze

Readers’ Choice Awards
Best Credit Union
in Gardena and Torrance

Readers' Picks

Best Credit Union in Coachella Valley

Daily News

Readers’ Choice Awards
Favorite Credit Union in Pasadena

Jose Alan G., Member Since 2007
ALAN G. MEMBER SINCE 2007

Building Meaningful Connections

For Alan, his career has been all about making connections. Growing up, he rarely related to his teachers, but everything changed in high school when he met educators whose backgrounds reflected his own. These genuine connections inspired him to pursue a career in education.

Now a dedicated second-grade dual immersion language teacher, Alan enjoys fostering bonds among his students and their families, watching them connect over shared classroom experiences. Membership, for him, isn’t just about financial products — it’s about belonging to a community that values connection, support and shared growth.

FAQs

Students pursuing a degree requiring a teaching practicum in California — typically future educators enrolled in programs that include hands-on classroom experience as part of their coursework.

A transcript showing your enrollment in an education program in California with a practicum requirement.

Once you join, you’re a Member for life — even if you change majors, careers, retire or move out of state. If you change majors, you may no longer be eligible for school employee products and services.

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Online

Be sure you have your eligibility documentation ready.

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In-Person

Bring your eligibility documentation with you.

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Call

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

Disclosures

All loans are subject to approval.

  1. 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.
  2. GreenPath Financial Wellness ("GreenPath") is not affiliated with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
  3. 2024: America's Credit Unions Membership Benefits Report for SchoolsFirst FCU. Source: Datatrac, NCUA and America's Credit Unions.
  4. Assumes 2.1 Credit Union Members per household.
  5. 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/dividend checking account, $10,000 in a one-year certificate account, and $2,500 in a money market account.