Prairie High School has taken a major step toward financial literacy and convenience with the grand opening of its very own IQ Credit Union campus branch. Making banking easier and more educational for students and staff. Located in the commons next to the attendance office, the branch is open every school day during both lunches (except Wednesdays) and offers services for students and staff with IQ accounts, like deposits, withdrawals, cash exchanges, and new account openings, the IQ campus branch is designed to make banking accessible and stress-free. One unique feature is its “room service” option, allowing busy teachers to request banking transactions without leaving their classrooms during their lunch. “Having a branch right here on campus means students don’t have to leave school to manage their money,” said Jennifer Engelbart, the IQ Financial Operations teacher who oversees the program. The branch officially opened its doors on October 14th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a series of inspiring speeches from staff and student leaders.
The branch is operated by ten student tellers, all juniors and seniors enrolled in the IQ Financial Operations class. The hands-on experience doesn’t just look good on a resume, students can also apply for paid internships with IQ Credit Union while in this program. “It’s a real-world experience for our student tellers, and a huge convenience for our staff and students,” said Engelbart.
Right now they are having a promotional campaign from October 14th through December 19th where every transaction you make you can spin the wheel and have a chance to get put into a raffle to win a $10 dutch bros gift card or win many other cool prizes. Also when opening a new account you are entered into a drawing and have a chance to win $25 credited to your account. Beyond the immediate benefits of convenience and prizes, the campus branch is also fostering financial independence and life skills among students. “Financial literacy is so important for young people,” said Engelbart. “By learning how to budget, save, and make wise financial choices now, our students are setting themselves up for success in the future.”
