Royal Credit Union is excited to announce that School $ense – our signature student-run credit union program - is back for the 2025–2026 school year!
Since 1993, Royal has proudly partnered with schools to provide hands-on financial education through student-run credit unions inside schools. Today, there are 30 School $ense sites across Royal’s footprint, giving thousands of students the opportunity to build real-world financial and leadership skills.
Each fall, students apply and interview to become School $ense team members. In the Chippewa Valley, selected students attend a training session at the Royal Credit Union Corporate Center, where they learn about quality service, confidentiality, and teamwork. This year, we were proud to host 210 students at our corporate headquarters! Our extended branches in Saint Croix Falls, Balsam Lake, Rice Lake, Colby and River Falls train students at their school sites before schools open in October.
School $ense Opening Week
School $ense sites officially open for business in mid to late October. Each site is open once a week, giving students an easy way to save and learn valuable money management skills.
Did you know? For every 500 deposits made at an elementary School $ense site, Royal donates $250 back to the school!
About Our School $ense Programs
Elementary School Programs
Our elementary sites are staffed by enthusiastic fourth and fifth-grade students who apply, interview, and train for their positions—just like a real job! During training, they learn to use our computer system, maintain confidentiality, and provide excellent Member service.
Elementary sites are typically open once a week, either in the morning or during lunch. Each deposit helps students develop positive saving habits—and every fourth deposit earns a prize! There are two levels of prizes to encourage students to save toward bigger goals.
Middle School Programs
Middle school locations are led by sixth through eighth-grade students who assist classmates and staff with deposits and withdrawals. These student team members also take part in creating marketing materials and promoting School $ense within their schools. Each deposit earns a small giveaway to keep saving exciting and rewarding.
High School Programs
Our high school branches operate much like traditional Royal Credit Union locations. Student team members are hired through Youth Apprenticeship programs, gaining experience in teller operations, Member service, and financial education. Many high school participants also work as tellers at Royal’s community locations—earning both high school credit and valuable real-world experience.
Get Involved!
- If your student attends one of our partner schools and would like to participate in School $ense, you can open an account here: https://www.rcu.org/promos/school-sense-accounts
- To see a full list of School $ense site locations, visit: https://www.rcu.org/education-resources/financial-education/articles/school-$ense-partner-schools
- If your student already has an account and needs a pouch, please email us at School.$ense@rcu.org
