What Are Excessive Transaction Fees?

Excessive transaction fees are penalties incurred by consumers when they make too many withdrawals from a savings account or money market account in a single month.

These fees were once tied to a federal law (Regulation D) that capped certain types of withdrawals and transfers from savings accounts to six per month. However, the Federal Reserve suspended the six-per-month limit in April 2020 to give consumers greater access to their funds during the pandemic. Transactions limits (and fees) are still optional today; some financial institutions impose them and others don’t.

Since most people want to avoid fees as often as possible, read on to learn how excessive transaction fees work and how much they cost.

Key Points

•   Excessive transaction fees penalize customers for making too many withdrawals from savings accounts.

•   Fees typically range from $3 to $5 for each additional transaction.

•   Some banks do not impose excessive transaction fees.

•   Regulation D previously limited withdrawals from savings accounts to six per month.

•   Strategies to avoid fees include using ATMs; making fewer, large transactions; and opting out of overdraft coverage.

What Is an Excessive Withdrawal Fee?

Excessive transaction fees (also called excess transfer fees, withdrawal limit fees, or excessive withdrawal fees) refer to penalties for excessive withdrawals from any type of savings account. Historically, Regulation D restricted consumers to six “convenient transfers and withdrawals” each month.

Though the Federal Reserve revised Regulation D in 2020, many banks have maintained the six-transaction limit, while others have increased the number of allowable transactions from savings accounts. If you exceed your bank’s transaction limit, you may get hit with an excessive withdrawal fee.

If you repeatedly exceed them, you may face more than fees — the bank could potentially convert your savings account into a checking account, which could mean losing interest and potentially getting hit with monthly fees.

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Recommended: What Is the Difference Between a Deposit vs. Withdrawal

Types of Transactions Considered

Not every withdrawal from a savings account counts toward the transaction limit. Below are the types of transactions that could get you to the six-a-month max:

•   Electronic funds transfers (EFTs), like when you transfer money from your savings account to checking account (or transfer money from one bank to another)

•   Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, including online bill pay

•   Pre-authorized transfers, like overdraft transfers to avoid overdraft fees

•   Wire transfers

•   Online and phone transfers

•   Debit card and check transactions drawing from the savings account.

Notably absent from this list are in-person withdrawals at banks and ATMs. Such withdrawals typically do not count toward a bank’s transaction limit. You can generally also move funds from savings to checking at an ATM or with a teller in person without it counting toward your limit.

How Much Do Excessive Transaction Fees Cost?

Though Regulation D previously specified a maximum of six convenient withdrawals, it did not specify the amount of any resulting excess transfer fee. Financial institutions were free to set that amount — and still are today, if they continue to charge excessive transaction fees.

Typically, excessive transaction fees cost between $3 and $5 per transaction. Under Regulation DD (Truth in Savings), financial institutions must disclose the fee amount (if applicable) at account opening; if the bank changes the amount afterward, it must legally notify you at least 30 days before the change.

If you’re not sure what your bank charges, you can typically find this information on the bank’s website or in the fine print of your account documents.

Recommended: What Are Bank Transaction Deposits?

Why Do Banks Charge Excessive Transaction Fees?

Before the Federal Reserve revised Regulation D, banks were expected to either prevent excess transactions from savings accounts or monitor for them. One way institutions discouraged customers from exceeding the six-per-month limit was by charging excess withdrawal fees.

The federal government created Regulation D to ensure that financial institutions had enough cash reserves available. Though this meant consumer funds were a little less liquid in a savings account or money market account, banks made such accounts appealing to consumers by offering interest on those funds. Consumers who wanted easier access to their money could use a checking account.

Even though the Federal Reserve has eradicated that mandate, some banks have chosen to continue to maintain transaction limits and charge fees if customers exceed them. The reasoning for this decision may vary at each financial institution, though banks generally leverage fees to make a profit (they are a business, after all).

And remember: The federally imposed transfer limit previously served to ensure banks maintained proper cash reserves; banks still charging this fee may be doing so to discourage excessive withdrawals and thus protect their reserves.

Tips to Avoid Excessive Transaction Fees

How can you avoid excessive transaction penalties? Consider these tips to cut out this common bank fee.

•   Finding a bank that doesn’t charge excess transfer fees: Some banks do not charge excessive transaction fees.

•   Using your checking account: Banks may leverage fees when you make too many savings withdrawals by writing a check or paying bills online. Rather than using your savings account for such transactions, you may benefit from using a checking account, where such fees don’t apply, and making withdrawals from the cleared funds in that account.

•   Banking in person or at ATMs: Withdrawals at physical bank branches and ATMs typically don’t count toward your limit. By using these options to take funds out of your savings account (or money market account), you should be able to avoid excessive withdrawal fees. Just keep in mind that there may be ATM withdrawal limits in terms of how much you can take out in a certain time period.

•   Making fewer (but bigger) withdrawals: If you’re able to anticipate your needs throughout the month, you may be able to make one or two big electronic funds transfers from savings to checking each month, rather than several smaller ones. Doing so may mean you can avoid excess transfer fees.

•   Opting out of overdraft coverage: If your savings account is tied to your overdraft program and you overdraw too many times in one month, you could wind up paying an excessive transfer fee. You can avoid this by opting out of overdraft protection (though it’s crucial that you understand what that means for your checking account if you overdraw). Or you might tap a line of credit as the source for your overdraft protection instead of your savings account.

•   Getting bank alerts: Monitoring your bank account is good for several reasons, including fraud protection and avoiding overdrafts. Opting into banking notifications can also help you keep track of when you’re approaching the monthly withdrawal limit.

The Takeaway

Though federal law no longer mandates limits on monthly savings account withdrawals, many banks and credit unions still charge excessive transaction fees. To avoid such fees, it’s important to monitor your monthly transactions and find other ways to access your savings. For example, you may be able to avoid excessive transaction fees by using ATMs or making fewer, larger transfers and/or withdrawals. Finding a bank whose policies are flexible and suit your needs is a wise move too.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy 3.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings with eligible direct deposit.

FAQ

How much are excessive transaction fees?

Excessive transaction fees can typically range from $3 to $5 each, depending on the institution’s policies.

Do all banks charge excessive transaction fees?

No, not all banks charge excessive transaction fees. Before signing up for any account, it’s a good idea to read the fine print, including the fee structure. Federal law requires that banks disclose these fees to consumers.

Why do banks charge excessive transaction fees?

Regulation D was initially created to ensure banks could maintain enough cash reserves. Though Regulation D no longer limits convenient withdrawals from savings accounts to six, many banks still impose monthly transaction limits and will charge you a fee if you exceed them, potentially to protect their reserves and/or to make a profit.


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Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

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Can You Get Unemployment Deferment for Student Loans?

If you’ve lost your job, you may be able to defer your student loan payments. The unemployment deferment and repayment options available can depend on the type of loans you have.

For instance, if you have federal student loans, one option is the unemployment deferment program offered by the Department of Education. The program allows eligible federal loan borrowers who are out of work or cannot find full-time employment to postpone payments on existing educational debts.

Read on to learn how unemployment deferment works, plus other alternatives, including deferment opportunities for private student loans.

Key Points

•   Unemployment deferment allows you to pause student loan payments if you are unemployed and meet specific criteria.

•   To qualify, you must be receiving unemployment benefits and have federal student loans; private loans may have different policies.

•   Deferment can last up to three years, but interest may still accrue on certain types of loans.

•   You must apply for deferment through your loan servicer, providing proof of unemployment.

•   Consider other options like forbearance, income-driven repayment, or refinancing if deferment is not available.

What Is Unemployment Deferment?

For anyone who has federal student loans, student loan deferment allows eligible borrowers to put student loan payments on hold for a predetermined period.

Unemployment deferment is awarded to eligible federal student loan borrowers who are seeking unemployment benefits or who are unable to find full-time work.

Those who qualify can temporarily pause putting money toward student loans for up to three years for federal loans, assuming that they continue to meet all the requirements.

It’s important to note that if you have unsubsidized loans or Direct PLUS Loans, interest will continue accruing during any deferment period. This means the balance owed on outstanding loans would keep growing. So, over the life of the loan, a short-term savings from deferring repayment could mean owing more in the end.

In general, interest won’t accrue on federal subsidized loans.

What Types of Student Loans Are Eligible for Unemployment Deferment?

If you’re unemployed with student loans, federal student loan unemployment deferment is available for Direct Loans, FFEL Program Loans, and Perkins Loans. Here are a few specific examples of loans that may qualify.

•   Direct Loans

•   Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL Loans)

•   Stafford Loans

•   Perkins Loans

•   PLUS Loans

•   Direct Consolidation Loans

In addition, if a borrower received federal student loans before July 1, 1993, they may qualify for other deferments.

Private loans from private lenders are not eligible for the federal unemployment deferment program. However, some lenders may provide economic hardship programs for borrowers.

Borrowers can contact their loan servicer for details on any hardship repayment or deferment programs they may offer.

Who Is Eligible for Unemployment Deferment?

Deferring payments on federal student loans isn’t automatic. Borrowers first need to apply with supporting documentation to determine if they’ll be eligible for a student loan unemployment deferral.

Borrowers first need to apply with supporting documentation to determine if they’ll be eligible for a student loan unemployment deferral.

Generally, an applicant can qualify either by providing proof of eligibility to receive employment benefits or by demonstrating that a diligent search for full-time employment is underway.

In the second case, certifying that you’re registered with an employment agency (whether privately owned or state run) can help show that an active search for work is being carried out.

Applicants seeking unemployment deferment under the searching full-time employment category may receive a deferment period for only six months.

If you need to extend the deferment past that time, you’ll have to submit a new application certifying that you’ve made at least six attempts to find full-time employment. The deferment period cannot exceed three years.

To pursue unemployment deferral, you must first fill out the unemployment deferment form at StudentAid.gov — answering questions about your job search, current unemployment benefits, and understanding of what loan deferment entails.

What About Private Student Loan Deferment?

Although private lenders aren’t legally required to offer unemployment deferment options, some do.

It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that private loans typically still accrue interest during the approved deferment period (even refinanced student loans with lenders who honor grace periods).

In other words, the total student loan balance would continue to grow even while payments are suspended. This is one of the basics of student loans.

Over the life of the loan, this could add to what the borrower owes overall. Some private lenders allow borrowers to make interest-only payments during a forbearance to help avoid interest capitalization.

Even with the accrual of interest and limited options, deferment is preferable to defaulting on student loans.

Borrowers with private student loans can contact their lender to learn if special deferment is available for those who are unemployed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Unemployment Deferment

So, what are the potential pros and cons of pursuing an unemployment deferment on student loans? These are some of the advantages and disadvantages you may want to think over:

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages you may want to think over:

Advantages

Whether a borrower has been laid off due to an economic downturn or they have recently graduated and are struggling to find employment, unemployed deferment is one way to help ease the financial pressure of repaying student debt in the short term.

For borrowers in need of financial relief, student loan unemployment deferment can help temporarily lower monthly expenses. This can be especially helpful if an unemployed borrower would otherwise run the risk of student loan default.

Defaulting on loans can have a negative impact on your credit history, complicating your ability to pursue mortgage or other loans in the future.

And, with student loans, simply not paying them does not erase the amount owed or the interest that can keep accruing.

If a borrower has only subsidized student loans, the unemployment deferment program comes at no additional cost because interest does not accrue.

And, while it’s completely fine to apply for a deferral, borrowers are typically expected to use the approved deferment period to find a new job; some unemployment protection programs from private lenders even have stipulations to that effect.

Disadvantages

In the case of unsubsidized federal student loans, taking a deferment will increase the total amount owed on the loan. And even if a borrower decides to make interest-only payments, they’re not not chipping away at the principal amount.

Unemployed student loan borrowers may want to weigh whether the short-term savings tied to reduced or suspended loan payments are worth owing more money on those loans later on.

When a borrower does eventually find employment and the deferment ends, the future payments on their student loan payments may be higher each month — to cover the additional accrued interest.

For someone who is just adjusting to a new job, higher loan payments may come as a shock and could be hard to budget for.

Understanding the long-term implications of applying for student loan unemployment deferment can help borrowers to decide whether this sort of program is the right for the current and future financial situations.

Alternatives to Unemployment Deferment

For federal student loan borrowers who don’t qualify for unemployment deferment, there may be other ways to handle student loans during a job loss.

Forbearance and income-driven repayment plans are two potential options:

Forbearance

Similar to deferment, federal or private loan forbearance temporarily suspends or reduces loan payments.

However, while principal payments are postponed, interest will continue to accrue, no matter what type of loans you have. To see if you qualify, contact your loan servicer.

Because forbearance does not suspend the accrual of interest on a student loan, it can make sense to consider other options, such as income-driven repayment.

Income-Driven Repayment

Income-driven repayment plans calculate loan payments based on a borrower’s current income and family size. They also, typically, stretch the loan repayments over 20 or more years.

Although this type of plan may trim monthly loan payments, it could cost borrowers more in interest over the life of the loan. Once your financial or employment situation improves, you may want to switch to an alternative repayment plan.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Having been previously employed in certain public sector jobs may also qualify some borrowers for student loan forgiveness if unemployed.

By definition, loan forgiveness means that the remaining amount owed is forgiven — the borrower is no longer bound to pay it back.

Eligible federal student loan borrowers who’ve completed 10 years of employment with a qualifying job — such as a public school teacher, some non-profit employees, Americorps recipient, or government worker — might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

If you think you may qualify for the federal forgiveness program and your goal is to lower your monthly payments, you may still want to switch to an income-driven repayment plan while the PSLF application is being reviewed in order to lower your monthly payments.

Student Loan Refinancing

After exhausting federal program options, or if none are quite the right fit, borrowers with federal or private student loans may want to look into refinancing student loans.

When you refinance student loans, you replace your loan or loans with one new private loan. Qualified borrowers may either get a lower monthly payment or help reduce the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Note: You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.

It’s important to be aware that by refinancing federal student loans with a private lender, borrowers give up benefits and protections such as federal unemployment deferment, PSLF, and income-driven repayment.

Lenders that offer refinancing options usually look at applicants’ qualifying financial attributes — including employment status, credit history, and income. So, refinancing student loans is not necessarily available to all who apply.

The Takeaway

There are numerous possible student loan repayment options for unemployed borrowers who qualify, including deferment, income-driven repayment, federal student loan forgiveness programs, and student loan refinancing. One good place to start is by calling your loan provider to review all options you may qualify for.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.


With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

What if I am unemployed and can’t pay my student loans?

If you’re unemployed and can’t pay your student loans, contact your loan servicer immediately to discuss options like deferment, forbearance, or income-driven repayment plans. These can temporarily reduce or pause payments, helping you manage your debt until you regain employment.

What qualifies for deferment on student loans?

Deferment on student loans is available if you are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school, unemployed, facing economic hardship, or serving in the military during a war or national emergency. Check with your loan servicer for specific eligibility criteria and application processes.

Can you get unemployment if you owe student loans?

Yes, you can receive unemployment benefits even if you owe student loans. Student loan debt does not disqualify you from unemployment assistance. However, it’s important to manage both by contacting your loan servicer to explore options like deferment or forbearance.


About the author

Ashley Kilroy

Ashley Kilroy

Ashley Kilroy is a seasoned personal finance writer with 15 years of experience simplifying complex concepts for individuals seeking financial security. Her expertise has shined through in well-known publications like Rolling Stone, Forbes, SmartAsset, and Money Talks News. Read full bio.



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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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What Is College Tuition Reimbursement?

If you’re working and want to continue school but aren’t sure how to fund it, your employer may offer assistance. This is called tuition reimbursement, and it’s how many companies help employees pay for continuing their education. Tuition reimbursement programs are growing in popularity as companies work to attract and retain employees.

What is tuition reimbursement? It’s when companies offer programs to help employees pay for a portion of their educational costs. These programs vary by company. Some may only cover course costs if your continuing education is related to your job. Others may require employees to remain with the company for a certain period of time after completing their degree.

If you’re wondering, how does tuition reimbursement work?, read on to learn about the process of tuition reimbursement and find out the requirements involved.

Key Points

•   Tuition reimbursement is an employee benefit where companies cover part or all of an employee’s educational costs, helping them pursue further education while working.

•   Eligibility for tuition reimbursement often includes specific requirements, such as maintaining a minimum GPA and completing relevant coursework, with reimbursement typically occurring after course completion.

•   Employers offer tuition reimbursement to attract and retain talent, as it equips employees with skills that can be beneficial to the company.

•   Receiving tuition reimbursement does not prevent individuals from applying for federal financial aid, but it may affect the amount of aid offered.

•   Tax implications exist for tuition reimbursement, with the first $5,250 being tax-free; amounts above this limit are considered taxable income for employees.

What Is Tuition Reimbursement?

Tuition reimbursement, or tuition assistance, is an arrangement where an employer pays for part or all of an employee’s continuing education whether an undergraduate degree or graduate school.

How does tuition reimbursement work? Your employment contract may lay out the terms of the tuition reimbursement, including how much of your tuition your company will cover, what courses qualify, any minimum GPA requirements, and the minimum time period you must be employed by the company.

Tuition reimbursement is often offered as an employee benefit on top of a salary package, along with other benefits like health insurance, a 401(k), or transportation expenses.

This is different from student loan repayment assistance, when your company provides some amount of money toward student loans you already have.

Not every company offers tuition reimbursement, but many large ones do provide reimbursement or financial support for continuing education. Some companies may stipulate that courses must relate to your current work.

Recommended: What Are College Tuition Payment Plans and How Do They Work?

Why Companies Offer Tuition Reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement is a perk that helps a company attract and retain employees, while also benefiting the company itself, since the courses you take may provide skills or knowledge you can put into practice at work.

Some companies are upping their educational benefits as a way to stay competitive. They may offer a range of benefits to their employees like programs for refinancing student loans and student loan contributions.

Not sure if your employer offers tuition reimbursement? Check with your HR representative to see what options are available.

Tuition Reimbursement Requirements

The specifics of each company’s tuition reimbursement policy are likely laid out in an employment contract, but it’s common for a company to offer a tuition reimbursement only in accordance with certain eligibility requirements.

You’ll probably have to sign up and pay for the courses yourself first, so you’ll want to budget appropriately. In most cases you’ll need to pay for your courses out of pocket and then provide proof of completion and your grades in order to be reimbursed.

Program requirements

Your employer may limit its reimbursement program to certain institutions. For example, they may provide a list of accredited institutions you can choose from. Or they require that you attend a four-year program.

Coursework Requirements

Your company may reimburse you only for classes pertaining to your current job description.

Other times, companies will approve courses focused on moving you into a management role or on gaining skills you can put toward other future roles or assignments. For example, if you work in project management for a large corporation and are interested in learning how to use data visualization, you might be able to take community college courses in data production and visual graphics.

After understanding what courses qualify for tuition reimbursement, you could then look over the other requirements. For example, there may be minimum GPA or attendance requirements.

Timeframe Requirements

Sometimes a company will also require you to continue working with them for a set amount of time, since they’ve invested in your education and don’t want you to take those new skills to a competitor.

Tuition Reimbursement and the FAFSA®

An employer’s tuition reimbursement program doesn’t preclude you from filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) application. In most scenarios, an employer is unlikely to cover 100% of tuition costs, and you may still qualify for aid in the form of federal loans and grants.

That said, you will be asked to note how much you are reimbursed for, which may have an effect on how much financial aid you’re offered.

Is Tuition Reimbursement Taxable?

While you should always consult with a licensed tax professional regarding the current tax law, and in no way should any of this information be considered tax advice, the IRS’ website currently states that employers can deduct the cost of tuition reimbursement (up to $5,250 per employee annually). It’s a business expense for them. The IRS website also states that the first $5,250 of tuition reimbursement isn’t considered taxable income for employees. However, anything above that counts as part of your taxable wages and salary. Again, talking to a tax professional is always recommended.

The IRS does have some requirements on tax-free educational assistance benefits — which are not necessarily the same requirements your employer has.

Typically, for the IRS to consider tuition assistance as tax-free, it should be used to pay for tuition, fees, textbooks, supplies, or equipment.

And typically, it can’t be used for meals, lodging, transportation, or any equipment you keep after the course. It’s also not applicable to sports, games, or hobbies — unless they’re a degree requirement or you can prove they’re related to your employer’s business.

Again, consult with an accountant or tax attorney to get the complete picture.

What Are Other Options to Lower Education Costs?

The average cost of attending a four-year public college as an in-state student during the 2022-23 school year was $10,950, and that price tag only goes up for private schools and out-of-state students.

Federal Student Aid

For those who do not qualify for employer offered tuition reimbursement, there are other options that could be worth considering. As mentioned above, students can fill out FAFSA annually. This allows them to apply for all types of federal student aid, including scholarships and grants, work-study, and federal student loans.

Private Student Loans

Beyond that, some individuals may consider private student loans.

While one of the basics of student loans is that they offer students the opportunity to finance their education, private student loans don’t have the same borrower protections, like income-driven repayment plans, that are afforded to federal student loans. For this reason, they are most often considered only after all other options.

Recommended: Private Student Loans Guide

Refinancing Existing Student Loans

If you already have student loans, when it comes time to repay, you could consider refinancing to a lower interest rate, if you qualify. One of the advantages of refinancing student loans is that it could help you reduce the amount of money paid in interest over the total life of the loan; refinancing at a lower monthly payment could help with budgeting in the short term. However, lowering monthly payments is frequently the result of extending the loan term, which will result in increased cost over the life of the loan.

It’s important to know that federal student loans come with benefits such as income-driven repayment plans and deferment or forbearance options. Refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for these programs and protections.

The Takeaway

Employers who offer tuition reimbursement programs will typically cover a portion of tuition costs if the employee meets specific program eligibility requirements. These requirements vary by company, but may include things like maintaining a minimum GPA, doing certain coursework, and stipulations around the length of employment.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

Learn more about refinancing your student loans with SoFi.

FAQ

What does college tuition reimbursement mean?

With college tuition reimbursement, an employer pays for all or some of an employee’s continuing education. The employer typically has specific terms and conditions, such as the amount of tuition the company will cover, what courses qualify, minimum GPA requirements, and the amount of time you must be employed by the company in order to qualify.

Is tuition reimbursement a good idea?

For employees, tuition reimbursement is an employee benefit and is generally a good thing. It provides employees with financial assistance to attend school, which can save them a significant amount of money. It also allows them the opportunity to gain skills to help advance in their career. In return, the employee typically must remain with the company for a certain amount of time and meet certain other specific eligibility criteria, depending on the company.

Do I have to pay back tuition reimbursement?

As long as you meet the terms and conditions of the tuition reimbursement agreement, you should not have to pay back tuition reimbursement. However, if you leave the company voluntarily before the specified timeframe, you may be required to repay the money. Read the terms of the agreement carefully beforehand.


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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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hands holding cash

How to Stop Overspending Money

If you feel that, despite your best intentions, your hard-earned money gets frittered away, you may need to curb your spending.

Sure, shopping and dining out are part of life, but the convenience of tapping and swiping can make it easy to overdo it. And all the tempting things you see on social media can lead to less than mindful buying, not to mention credit card debt. In fact, the average American currently has $6,730 in high-interest credit card debt, according to Experian®’s latest research, and some of that could be due to overspending.

Read on to learn more about what can cause you to overspend, plus tactics that can help you better control your spending.

Key Points

•   To stop spending money, individuals should identify their spending triggers and understand the emotions behind their spending habits.

•   Creating a budget and tracking expenses helps individuals gain awareness of where their money is going.

•   Practicing delayed gratification by waiting before making non-essential purchases can curb spending.

•   Finding alternative activities or hobbies that bring joy without requiring excessive spending is beneficial.

•   Understanding how FOMO, lifestyle creep, and social media impact your financial habits can help you rethink spending and save more.

12 Ways to Stop Overspending

If you find yourself being a bit too freewheeling with your spending, try some tactics to help you cut back.

1. Mapping Out a Budget

Without a budget, you can spend money mindlessly, without thinking much about it. To create a budget and learn how to be better with money, check your income and track your current spending patterns from bank and credit card statements. You can also use a free tool to track your spending, which makes the process even easier. You can start by seeing what your financial institution offers.

Identify essential expenses vs. non-essential ones. Necessary spending includes such items as housing, groceries, utilities, health care costs, and transportation. Non-essential costs are things like eating out, leisure travel, and entertainment — and they can add up to a lot of money over a month.

Once you see how much you spend in each expense category, it may be easier to reduce spending. Experiment with different budget methods to find the right fit.

Recommended: 50/30/20 Budget Calculator

2. Calculating Hourly Earnings

A night out may not seem like a huge splurge in the moment — especially when compared to your total earnings for the month. But, that same expense can quickly appear more significant when you tabulate how many hours of work are needed to pay for it.

To try this approach, figure out your hourly pay: Divide your after-tax pay by the number of hours worked. If you get paid twice a month and work a 40-hour week, divide your total earnings by 80 (two weeks times 40 hours). Then use that insight:

•   For instance, a birthday dinner and drinks with friends that costs $200 would translate to four hours of work if you earn $50 per hour.

Whether that spend feels worth it is a personal decision, but this process can nudge you to consider carefully to make sure the expense feels worth it.

3. Understanding What Triggers Spending

Whether it’s the gourmet food section at the grocery store, the Instagram influencer with the covetable closet of clothes, or that friend who drops big bucks on concert tickets, for all of us, the urge to spend can be triggered by emotions and outside influences.

Even the physical shopping environment — in-store displays, prominent markdown messaging, and subtler cues like store layout — can trigger people to overspend. When figuring out how to stop spending money, it can be key to understand which emotional or psychological cues make you take out your wallet and short-circuit their impact on you.

💡 Quick Tip: Want to save more, spend smarter? Let your bank manage the basics. It’s surprisingly easy, and secure, when you open an online bank account.

4. Shopping with a Plan

Of course you can’t always avoid spending triggers. We all have to shop sometimes. But here’s how to stop overspending: Create a shopping list, and stick to it. That’s one way to spend wisely.

For example, going grocery shopping may be easiest to do right after work. But that time of day may also coincide with when you’re ravenous. Hungry shoppers, research shows, tend to buy more non-essential items.

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*Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply here. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

5. Finding It Cheaper

There are times when you’ll choose to spend money on specific purchases. Comparison shopping may help you cut back on expenses since you may be able to find the item cheaper elsewhere. Try these tips, too:

•   Try couponing and discount codes. There are many sites that can help, such as Coupons.com and Retailmenot.com.

•   Join a warehouse or wholesale club. These stores can be cheaper than your local supermarket. Are the quantities too big for your household? Share them with friends and split the cost.

•   Shop where you get rewards that lower your costs. Loyalty can pay off.

6. The 30 Day Rule

Want another way to avoid overspending? Before you purchase something, take some time to think it over, rather than giving in to impulse buying.

Studies show that activities that provide instant gratification, such as impulse shopping, activate feel-good chemicals in the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But that purchase could come at the expense of your financial standing. How to avoid that:

•   If you see an item of significant expense that triggers a “gotta have it” feeling, put a note in your calendar for 30 days later. Write down the item, the price, and where you saw it.

•   When that date rolls around, if you still feel you must have the object of your affection, you can decide to get it. But there’s a very good chance that your sense of urgency will have passed. That can be a way to stop spending money.

7. A No-Spend Challenge

You can gamify your spending to help you save. Try a no-spend challenge; you may want to have a friend or family member join you to make it more fun and help you stay accountable.

In a no-spend challenge, you typically pick a period of time during which you will only buy essentials. One popular option is a No-Spend September. Or you might declare that you won’t buy any fancy coffees for a week and put the money saved toward debt. Then, the next month, you could not buy any personal care items that are luxuries rather than necessities.

Recommended: 15 Creative Ways to Save Money

8. Using Cash Instead of Credit

When you swipe or tap a credit card, it can feel almost as if you aren’t spending money at all. But of course you are, and what you spend will accrue high interest if you don’t pay it off promptly and in full.

However, if you instead commit to using cash or a debit card to pay for purchases as often as possible, you can only really spend what you have. This can help you be more in touch with your money and avoid splashing out on random unplanned purchases, whether that’s a daily fancy iced coffee or a new wristwatch you stumble upon at the mall. (Of course, sometimes life happens, you make an error, and spend more than you have. That’s where overdraft protection can come in handy.)

9. Setting Up Automatic Savings Transfers

Many people overspend because they see money in their checking account, feel flush, and go shopping. But then, when it’s time to fund your savings (whether for summer vacation or the down payment on the house), you don’t have enough cash.

That’s why the habit of paying yourself first is a good one, and automating savings by setting up recurring transfers from your checking account to savings can be valuable. It can be wise to have an amount (20% of your paycheck is recommended by many financial experts, but even $25 is a start) whisked out right after your paycheck hits.

This can help you save regularly and fund your financial goals; you can even set up separate savings vaults for different goals.

10. Focus on Value vs Price

Here’s a smart way to think about your spending: Price is what you pay, and value is what you get. So if you spend $300 on a pair of shoes but you don’t wear them often or they fall apart quickly, you haven’t gotten good value for the price.

This is not to say that higher-priced items are never worth the cost. If you pay $300 for a pair of shoes that are top quality, last for years, and can be worn often, you’ve gotten great value. By thinking of value instead of price, you can avoid overspending, whether that means paying too much for an item that isn’t worth it or else buying a bargain-priced product that doesn’t deliver.

11. Reduce Dining Out

Dining out can be a fun way to socialize and enjoy food you couldn’t (or wouldn’t) make at home. But the cost can really add up and empty out your checking account. The average monthly spend dining at restaurants in 2024 was $191 vs. $166 in 2023, according to data from US Foods.

To save some cash, consider meeting friends for, say, a walk in the park or a free day at a local museum instead of a pricey brunch out. Or you might create a recipe club with friends in which you try cooking new dishes together. To save money when dining out, try tricks like skipping high-priced cocktails or splitting a few appetizers instead of ordering main courses.

12. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions

Comb through your credit card charges carefully, and you may discover that you are paying every month for subscriptions that you’ve forgotten about or aren’t getting good value from. That language app you signed up for before last year’s trip to Spain may still be charging you even though you haven’t opened it in months. You could live without it and keep that money. Or you might save on streaming services because you realize you actually aren’t watching one or two and can cancel them.

Recommended: How to Make Money Fast

5 Factors That Contribute to Your Spending Problem

As you work to stop overspending money, you may want to consider and avoid some of the things that can trigger you to dole out too much cash.

1. Social Media

As you scroll on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, you are likely to be exposed to dozens of influencers and offers that can encourage you to buy things you never previously knew about or wanted. Recognize that social media can encourage you to buy items (from kitchen gadgets to gummy candy) that you would never otherwise buy just because you’re a captive audience for clever marketing.

One way to fight back? It may be helpful not to link your credit card to your social media accounts to minimize the possibility of overspending.

2. Emails and Text Messages

Here’s another way your digital life can contribute to overspending: If you get emails or text messages heralding new products, sales, and other offers, it can trigger you to buy.

For example, if your favorite home design retailer sends you a message saying their most popular throw pillows are almost sold out, that may get you to buy. Unsubscribing from these marketing messages can be a budget-wise move.

3. Retail Therapy

Many of us shop as a pick-me-up. If you’re having a bad day at work, had a fight with your significant other, or are stressed about almost anything, hitting some stores can be a welcome distraction. However, this can also lead you to buy things that you neither need nor craved before you set foot inside the shop.

Recognizing what triggers retail therapy can help you break a bad spending habit. Or you can try the tactic of leaving your credit cards at home when you go browsing at boutiques.

4. FOMO

FOMO stands for “fear of missing out,” and it can drive a lot of impulse purchases. If your friend says you must try a pricey new restaurant in your neighborhood or your coworker suggests a life-changing hairstylist, you might feel as if, yes, you must spend money on these things. It can make you feel as if you are part of the in-crowd or “keeping up with the Joneses.”

Understanding this FOMO spending dynamic can be a major step toward stopping this kind of overspending.

5. Lifestyle Creep

Lifestyle creep occurs when, as you earn more, you spend more. Many people think that getting, say, a 10% raise is license to go spend 10% more. However, this can just keep your finances at a baseline level rather than helping you build wealth and reach longer-term goals.

As your income climbs, it can be wiser to raise your debt payments or put more in a high-yield online savings account rather than heading to the mall to celebrate.

The Takeaway

While it’s not possible to stop spending money altogether, adopting a few smart habits — such as budgeting, understanding your spending triggers, and shopping with a list — could help you take control of your money and spend less.

The right banking partner can help with budgeting, tracking your spending, and putting your money to work for you.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy 3.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings with eligible direct deposit.

FAQ

What is it called when you can’t stop spending money?

There are various terms used to describe the issue of spending too much, such as compulsive shopping, impulsive shopping, shopping addiction, and pathological buying.

Is overspending a mental disorder?

Sometimes called money dysmorphia or money disorder, overspending may be considered a psychological disorder. It involves a person being preoccupied with money, spending it, and financial status. It can trigger feelings of anxiety and inadequacy. In addition, compulsive shopping can be considered a form of obsessive-compulsive or impulse-control disorder. Working with a qualified therapist can be helpful in managing the psychological reasons for overspending.

How much is too much spending?

There is no set amount that equals too much spending. Rather, it occurs when spending negatively impacts your financial and personal life. If you can’t stick to a budget, are burdened by debt, or find that your preoccupation with shopping interferes with your work or relationships, then your spending could be excessive.

How do I stop the cycle of overspending?

You can stop the cycle of overspending in a variety of ways, including creating and sticking to a budget, planning your purchases (whether a big-ticket item or just weekly groceries), using cash, and going on a spending freeze.

What is the root cause of overspending?

Overspending has various causes. It could be due to boredom, lifestyle creep, FOMO (fear of missing out), and wanting to reward oneself or boost one’s mood, among other reasons.


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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Ways to Achieve Financial Discipline

10 Ways to Practice Financial Discipline

Financial discipline means making wise, consistent decisions about how to manage your money and achieve your goals. It may come naturally to some people, but many others need to learn and then practice it. Doing so can help you better understand and track your earnings, spending, and savings and make your money work harder for you. Financial discipline can help you on the path to buying a home, saving for your child’s education, or retiring early. And it can pay off by minimizing your money stress and enhancing your confidence.

This guide shares 10 essential ways to achieve financial discipline and enjoy its rewards.

Key Points

•   Financial discipline can require setting clear financial goals to help optimize spending, saving, and investing.

•   Creating a budget and tracking expenses regularly ensures financial control.

•   Paying down existing debt improves financial health and frees up resources.

•   Automating savings and payments builds savings and avoids late fees.

•   Flexibility and patience are essential for adapting to life changes and maintaining long-term financial discipline.

What Does Financial Discipline Mean?

Financial discipline is the act of making smart decisions about your money so that you can achieve your financial goals and a sense of well-being. This can involve setting specific monetary (spending and saving) goals and tracking your progress.

Some aspects of financial discipline include:

•   Budgeting

•   Managing debt responsibly

•   Saving and investing

•   Setting and achieving financial goals


10 Steps For Achieving Financial Discipline

There are many paths to financial discipline, but these 10 steps can help you take control of your money and your financial destiny.

1. Getting Clear About Financial Goals

A vital step toward getting disciplined about money is setting financial goals. Writing down specific short-term, mid-term, and long-term financial goals can help illuminate a plan for how to proceed.

Here are some common examples of financial goals. They range from short-term money goals to longer-term ones:

Short-term Financial Goals

These are typically goals that you hope to achieve within a year or less.

•   Paying off credit cards and charge cards

•   Saving money for summer vacation

•   Setting and sticking to a spending limit for the month

•   Establishing an emergency fund

•   Saving a certain amount each month

Mid-term Financial Goals

Mid-term goals tend to have a longer horizon. Perhaps you work to achieve them in one to five years.

•   Paying off student loan debt

•   Setting aside funds for a wedding

•   Putting away money to buy a big-ticket item like a car

•   Saving up for an important home renovation

Long-term Financial Goals

These are aspirations that will likely take longer than five years to accomplish.

•   Saving for your child’s future college tuition

•   Putting away money for a down payment on a house

•   Investing in stocks and bonds for future returns

•   Setting aside money for retirement

2. Creating a Convenient Budget

Building a monthly budget isn’t necessarily at the top of everyone’s bucket list, but analyzing and tracking your expenses, spending habits, and savings can make it easier to get a handle on overall finances. Whether you use a cool journal, an online spreadsheet, or an app, there are many ways to manage a budget.

It can be worthwhile to try different types of budgets until you find one that is a good fit. Many people like the 50/30/20 budget rule, which says to dedicate 50% of your take-home pay to necessities, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and/or additional debt payments above required minimums. Creating a budget can be a key aspect of becoming financially disciplined.

Recommended: 50/30/20 Budget Calculator

3. Paying Down Existing Debt

Debt comes in many forms — from student loan debt to car loans, medical bills to mortgages, and of course credit card debt. By getting rid of debt, you can save on interest and might positively impact your credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio.

Paying down debt can be a critical facet of financial discipline, making it easier to save money, invest, and plan for a brighter financial future. Adding the debt paydown amount to your budget ensures it’s covered each month.

4. Opening a High-Yield Savings Account

There’s no specific answer to how much money you should have in savings. However, it is important to get started and contribute regularly. Even if it’s as little as $20 a month, setting something aside for savings ensures that funds will start to add up. By opening up a savings account and setting up a recurring deposit, you’ll be putting a pivotal piece of financial discipline on autopilot.

Of the different types of savings accounts, the specific kind you choose can make a big difference. According to the FDIC, the national average interest rate on savings accounts was 0.42% APY as of December 16, 2024.

By choosing a high-yield savings account (typically found at online banks), however, interest rates can reach 3.00% APY. This can help you build your financial position.

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*Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply here. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

5. Establishing an Emergency Fund

Approximately 42% of Americans have no emergency savings, according to recent surveys. That means these individuals would likely have to take on credit card debt, secure a personal loan, or ask family or friends for financial help if they, say, lost their job or had unexpected bills to pay.

Establishing an emergency fund is an important step in gaining financial discipline. Most money experts advise socking away enough over time to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses.

6. Cutting Back on Spending

Despite the best of intentions, overspending happens. Whether it’s a pileup of holiday gift purchases or too much shopping on social media, spending more than what you earn is bound to occur from time to time. Making sure it’s not a regular occurrence is a sign of good financial discipline.

Cutting down on spending can be guided by a good budget. Habits like shopping with a list to avoid impulse purchases, hunting for bargains, and using promo codes can help you make sure that you don’t overdo it with your credit and debit cards.

7. Seeking Sound Investment Strategies

Familiarizing yourself with a wide variety of investment accounts and strategies can help educate you and enhance your financial discipline. By weighing the risks and benefits of certain account types, penalties, fees, and the ability to access funds, you can select the right investment strategy. This in turn may help you achieve some of your longer-term money goals.

8. Automating Savings and Payments

A solid tool for achieving financial discipline can be to tap tech and automate your savings and payments. If you set up recurring transfers from your checking account to your savings right around payday, you can seamlessly build your savings instead of spending that cash.

By automating payments (say, to your utility companies or car loan lender), you help ensure that your bills get paid on time. This helps you avoid late fees and maintain your credit score.

9. Tracking Expenses Regularly

Tracking your expenses is something typically done when setting up a budget, but to achieve financial discipline, it’s important to check in regularly with your money. For example, inflation can take a toll on your expenses. Insurance premiums, rent, heating costs, and other regular payments can creep up and threaten your financial stability.

It’s wise to take a closer look if not monthly, then every few months. There are tools that can help you with this, too. See what your financial institution offers. They may offer a good money tracker to make this task extra easy. If not, third-party products are available.

10. Be Flexible and Patient

Last but not least is the fact that cultivating financial discipline is a process. Sometimes it will be harder than others. Perhaps you have a period in which you’re out of work and your credit card balance creeps up. Or maybe you have a baby or buy a home and are having trouble contributing to your retirement account. These curves along the road to financial discipline are part of life. Roll with them and adjust your plans, seeking help from a qualified financial planner if you like.

Don’t feel that just because you’re not where you want to be means all is lost. Financial discipline is a long haul, so go easy on yourself and keep pushing ahead, one step at a time.

Focusing on Financial Planning

The term “financial planning” might feel more like a unicorn you only get to meet when you’re floating high on a cloud of financial independence, but it’s actually another sound step along the way. These days, financial planning isn’t designated for the already wealthy, it’s becoming accessible and essential for people at every stage of life. In fact, in the age of digital transformation, financial planning can even be automated. This can be another way to optimize the long-term view of your money and your goals.

The Takeaway

Financial discipline revolves around setting specific financial goals and adopting habits that help you achieve them. By practicing financial discipline, you can create a budget, build up savings and an emergency fund, hit your money goals, and make progress toward a more stable financial future.

Finding the right financial institution to suit your needs can be another important step. Doing so can help you manage your money more easily, minimize fees, and earn interest on the money you stash away.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy 3.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings with eligible direct deposit.

FAQ

How long does it take to develop financial discipline?

Financial discipline is at its best when it’s a lifelong habit that provides money guidance and guardrails. That said, the habits that create financial discipline can be adopted in minutes. Establishing recurring transfers from your checking account into an emergency fund, for instance, is a “set it and forget” move that can be quickly accomplished.

What are the most common financial mistakes people make?

Common financial mistakes include not budgeting, not automating finances, and not prioritizing saving. Other issues can be overspending, relying too heavily on credit cards, and not setting short- through long-term goals.

How does financial discipline impact long-term wealth building?

Financial discipline can help you build long-term wealth. It’s a path to funding your financial aspirations, such as automating deposits into a savings account that’s earmarked for the down payment on a house. Also, by adopting and following a budget, you can keep your spending and saving in line with your earnings throughout your life.

What are some tools that can help with budgeting and saving?

There are many tools available to help with budgeting and saving. A good place to start can be with your financial institution. They likely have tools for automating transfers from checking into savings, tracking your spending, and budgeting wisely. If what they offer isn’t what you’re looking for, there are an array of third-party apps, both free and paid, that can help you.

Is it ever too late to start practicing financial discipline?

It’s never too late to start practicing financial discipline. Whether you’re just starting your independent financial life or are much further along, there’s likely a way to make managing your money more effective and easier. That could mean building a better budget, paying down debt, earmarking more funds for retirement, or figuring out the best way to start saving for your child’s education.


Photo credit: iStock/shih-wei

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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