Here you will find Stanford Federal Credit Union promotions, bonuses, and offers.
Update 11/4/24: The $500 checking bonus is back through 11/30/24.
About Stanford Federal Credit Union Promotions
Stanford FCU is located in Palo Alto, California. It was established in 1959 and has grown to 5 locations. Stanford Federal Credit Union offers high CD rates and has an A+ health rating.
Eligibility: Membership in Stanford Federal Credit Union is open to anyone through membership in the Friends of Palo Alto Library or the Museum of American Heritage (membership paid through the credit union). Membership is also open to the following: (1) faculty, students and alumni of Stanford University; (2) employees of Sun Microsystems, City of Palo Alto, Facebook and over 200 area Select Employer Groups. |
I’ll review the current bonuses below.
Stanford Federal Credit Union $500 Member Bonus
- What you’ll get: $500 bonus
- Account Type: Checking Account
- Availability: CA (Bank Locator)
- Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes, $2500 (see what works)
- Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull
- ChexSystem: Unknown
- Credit Card Funding: Unknown
- Monthly Fees: None
- Early Account Termination Fee: Account must be kept open for three months
- Household Limit: One
(Expires 11/30/2024)
BMO Smart Money Checking ($300 cash bonus) | KeyBank Checking ($300 bonus) |
Chase Private Client ($3,000 Bonus) | Fifth Third Bank Preferred Checking ($300 bonus) |
HSBC Premier Checking (Up to $2,500 Cash Bonus), |
How To Earn Bonus
- Open a Stanford FCU Everyday, Premier or High Yield Spending account with the promo code NEW500 and a minimum $2,500 monthly payroll direct deposit for 3 consecutive months.
- The bonus will be credited to your spending account within 30 days from satisfaction of the requirements.
- Membership eligibility required. Open a Stanford FCU Everyday, Premier or High Yield Spending account with the promo code NEW500 and a minimum $2,500 monthly payroll direct deposit for 3 consecutive months. The first recurring direct deposits must be posted to your new spending account within 60 calendar days of your account opening date. Payroll direct deposit is defined as recurring ACH payments from your employer or the Social Security Administration. Other deposits such as checks, transfers, Venmo, Zelle® and PayPal do not qualify.
- Offer does not apply to second or multiple spending accounts and/or existing members with a spending account, and will be limited to one bonus per household. The spending account must remain open a minimum of three months. The bonus offer is only available to new Stanford FCU members from 11/1/24 – 11/30/24. The bonus will be credited to your spending account within 30 days from satisfaction of the requirements. The 3-month new member period begins on the first day of the month following your account open date. Any taxes due on the bonus deposit are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Stanford FCU will report the bonus deposits to the appropriate state and federal agencies, as required by applicable law. This offer is not valid with any other Stanford FCU promotional offer, and is subject to change without notice.
Stanford FCU $250 Checking Bonus (Stanford Alumni)

Stanford FCU $250 Checking Bonus (Stanford Alumni)
Stanford Federal Credit Union is offering Stanford Alumni a chance to earn $250 bonus when you open an account and meet all requirements.
- What you’ll get: $250 bonus
- Account Type: Checking account
- Availability: CA
- Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes (see what works)
- Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull
- ChexSystem: Unknown
- Credit Card Funding: Unknown
- Monthly Fees: None
- Early Account Termination Fee: Account must be kept open for three months
- Household Limit: One
(Limited time offer)
BMO Smart Money Checking ($300 cash bonus) | BMO Smart Advantage Checking ($300 cash bonus) |
Bank of America ($300 bonus offer) | Chase Total Checking® ($300 bonus) |
Fifth Third Bank Momentum® Checking ($300 bonus) | SoFi Checking and Savings ($325 bonus) |
KeyBank Key Smart Checking ($300 bonus) | Truist Checking ($400 bonus) |
How to Earn Bonus
- $250 cash bonus for new members when you use promo code NEW250 (with checking and direct deposit of your paycheck)
- New Stanford FCU members open a Stanford FCU Basic or Premier Checking account with at least $5 and a minimum $1,000 monthly direct deposit throughout the 3-month new member period
- The recurring direct deposits must be posted to your new checking account within 60 calendar days of your account opening date.
- Open a Stanford FCU Basic or Premier Checking account with at least $5 and a minimum $1,000 monthly direct deposit throughout the 3-month new member period.
- The recurring direct deposits must be posted to your new checking account within 60 calendar days of your account opening date.
- Offer does not apply to second or multiple checking accounts and/or existing members with checking, and will be limited to one bonus per household.
- The checking account must remain open a minimum of three months.
- The bonus offer is only available to new Stanford FCU members beginning August 20, 2021, and eligibility requirements apply.
- The bonus will be credited to your checking account within 30 days from satisfaction of the requirements.
- The 3-month new member period begins on the first day of the month following your account open date.
- Any taxes due on the bonus deposit are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
- Stanford FCU will report the bonus deposits to the appropriate state and federal agencies, as required by applicable law.
- This offer is not valid with any other Stanford FCU promotional offer, and is subject to change without notice.
Stanford FCU $250 Checking Bonus (Juniper Networks Employees)

$250 Checking Bonu
Stanford Federal Credit Union is offering Stanford Juniper Networks Employees a chance to earn $250 checking bonus when you open an account and meet all requirements.
- What you’ll get: $250 bonus
- Account Type: Checking account
- Availability: CA
- Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes (see what works)
- Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull
- ChexSystem: Unknown
- Credit Card Funding: Unknown
- Monthly Fees: None
- Early Account Termination Fee: Account must be kept open for three months
- Household Limit: One
(Limited time offer)
BMO Smart Money Checking ($300 cash bonus) | BMO Smart Advantage Checking ($300 cash bonus) |
Bank of America ($300 bonus offer) | Chase Total Checking® ($300 bonus) |
Fifth Third Bank Momentum® Checking ($300 bonus) | SoFi Checking and Savings ($325 bonus) |
KeyBank Key Smart Checking ($300 bonus) | Truist Checking ($400 bonus) |
How to Earn Bonus
- $250 cash bonus for new members when you use promo code NEW250 (with checking and direct deposit of your paycheck)
- New Stanford FCU members open a Stanford FCU Basic or Premier Checking account with at least $5 and a minimum $1,000 monthly direct deposit throughout the 3-month new member period
- The recurring direct deposits must be posted to your new checking account within 60 calendar days of your account opening date.
- Open a Stanford FCU Basic or Premier Checking account with at least $5 and a minimum $1,000 monthly direct deposit throughout the 3-month new member period.
- The recurring direct deposits must be posted to your new checking account within 60 calendar days of your account opening date.
- Offer does not apply to second or multiple checking accounts and/or existing members with checking, and will be limited to one bonus per household.
- The checking account must remain open a minimum of three months.
- The bonus offer is only available to new Stanford FCU members beginning August 20, 2021, and eligibility requirements apply.
- The bonus will be credited to your checking account within 30 days from satisfaction of the requirements.
- The 3-month new member period begins on the first day of the month following your account open date.
- Any taxes due on the bonus deposit are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
- Stanford FCU will report the bonus deposits to the appropriate state and federal agencies, as required by applicable law.
- This offer is not valid with any other Stanford FCU promotional offer, and is subject to change without notice.
Stanford FCU $100 Checking Bonus *Graduates*

Get a $100 offer at Stanford Federal Credit Union
Stanford FCU is offering new Stanford University graduates a $100 bonus when you open a qualifying checking account and meet certain requirements.
- What you’ll get: $100 bonus
- Account Type: Checking account
- Availability: CA
- Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes (see what works)
- Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull
- ChexSystem: Unknown
- Credit Card Funding: Unknown
- Monthly Fees: None
- Early Account Termination Fee: Account must be kept open for three months
- Household Limit: One
(Limited time offer)
BMO Smart Money Checking ($300 cash bonus) | BMO Smart Advantage Checking ($300 cash bonus) |
Bank of America ($300 bonus offer) | Chase Total Checking® ($300 bonus) |
Fifth Third Bank Momentum® Checking ($300 bonus) | SoFi Checking and Savings ($325 bonus) |
KeyBank Key Smart Checking ($300 bonus) | Truist Checking ($400 bonus) |
How to Earn Bonus
- Account requirements are not listed on promotional link
- However, if they are similar to the other checking account requirements you will need to meet these requirements:
- Must open with minimum $5
- Establish a monthly recurring direct deposit of at least $500
- The first recurring direct deposit must be posted to your account within 60 calendar days of your account opening date
- The checking account must remain open for a minimum of three months.
- Bonus $100 will be credited to your account within 30 days after satisfaction of conditions.
- All offers subject to membership eligibility, credit approval, and proof of graduation.
- Accounts must be opened within six months of graduation.
- Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.
Stanford FCU $100 Referral Bonus
Stanford Federal Credit Union is offering members a chance to earn $100 bonus per qualifying referrals.
- What you’ll get: $100 bonus
- Account Type: Checking account
- Availability: CA
(Limited time offer)
BMO Smart Money Checking ($300 cash bonus) | BMO Smart Advantage Checking ($300 cash bonus) |
Bank of America ($300 bonus offer) | Chase Total Checking® ($300 bonus) |
Fifth Third Bank Momentum® Checking ($300 bonus) | SoFi Checking and Savings ($325 bonus) |
KeyBank Key Smart Checking ($300 bonus) | Truist Checking ($400 bonus) |
How to Earn Bonus
- Generate your unique promo code and share it with your friends and family
- Your referrals will need to open any Checking or Savings account with a minimum monthly direct deposit of $500 or debit card purchases of $500 in the first 90 days from account opening.
- You each get $50—refer as many friends as you want to earn more!
- The Stanford FCU Refer A Friend program is available to Stanford FCU members age 18 and older.
- Both the referring member and referred member will receive a $50 bonus deposited into their accounts after the new member opens a qualifying account, as described below, and meets the specific requirements.
- The bonus deposit may take up to 101 days, due to the length of time needed to meet the requirements.
- The referring member must be identified at the time of account opening either via a unique promo code or in-person when the referring member is identified by name.
Stanford FCU $25 Student Referral Bonus
Stanford Federal Credit Union is offering members a chance to earn $25 bonus per qualifying referrals.
- What you’ll get: $25 bonus
- Account Type: Checking account
- Availability: CA
(Limited time offer)
BMO Smart Money Checking ($300 cash bonus) | BMO Smart Advantage Checking ($300 cash bonus) |
Bank of America ($300 bonus offer) | Chase Total Checking® ($300 bonus) |
Fifth Third Bank Momentum® Checking ($300 bonus) | SoFi Checking and Savings ($325 bonus) |
KeyBank Key Smart Checking ($300 bonus) | Truist Checking ($400 bonus) |
How to Earn Bonus
- Generate a unique promo code and share it with Stanford students
- Remind them to join the credit union today at sfcu.org/students (it’s free!)
- You each get $25 when they become members — refer as many as you want to earn more!
- The Stanford FCU Refer A Student program is available to Stanford FCU members age 18 and older. Both the referring member and referred member must be students at Stanford University. Each will receive $25 deposited into their Student Checking accounts after the new account is opened, and the referring member was identified at the time of opening either via a unique promo code or in-person when the referring member was identified by name.
- The promo code generated online is unique to the referring member, and can be used by an unlimited number of referred new student members. There is no maximum to the number of new student members that an existing member can refer. A referred student may only receive one $25 deposit, regardless of the number of accounts or memberships opened. If the promo code is not used and the referring student was not identified at the time of account opening, no payment will be made to either student.
- Stanford FCU reserves the right to change or cancel this program without notice. Stanford FCU employees, family members and volunteers are not eligible. We reserve the right to disqualify any referrals in circumstances where we reasonably believe they were not sent to us in good faith.
- The $25 will be deposited into both accounts by the following business day. Taxes due on the bonus deposits are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Stanford FCU will report all bonus deposits to the appropriate state and federal agencies as required by applicable law. This offer cannot be combined with any other Stanford FCU promotional offers. This offer is invalid if the referred member had a Stanford FCU account that was closed within the last two years. Accounts are subject to all terms and conditions set forth in the current Important Account Information for Members Booklet and the Disclosure Fee Schedule.
How To Waive Monthly Fees
- Basic Checking: None
- Premier Checking: $10 monthly fee, waived with $20,000 combined savings and loan balances or $2,500 minimum daily account balance
- Student Checking: None
- Student Club Checking: None
- Sigma Teen Checking: None, be a parent or legal guardian as a joint owner on the account.
- Savings Account: None
- Money Market: $10 monthly fee, waived with $2,500 minimum daily account balance
- Companion Account: None
- eBusiness Checking: $7.50 monthly service fee, waived with $2,500 minimum daily account balance
- Business Checking: $10 monthly service fee, waived with $5,000 minimum daily account balance
- Business Plus Checking: $12.50 monthly service fee, waived with $7,500 minimum daily account balance
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Bottom Line
These are all the current Stanford Federal Credit Union promotions. Stanford FCU treats their members well. However, the membership is catered to Stanford University students, faculty, or alumni.
Are you interested in saving money through a CD or Savings Account? Check out our list of the best Bank Rates and CD Rates so you can start saving today.
Compare Stanford Federal Credit Union Promotions with other bank bonuses from banks like Citi, Huntington, HSBC, Chase, TD, Discover Bank, Aspiration, Axos Bank, PNC Bank, BMO Harris, SoFi, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and more!
*Check back at this page for updated Stanford Federal Credit Union promotions, bonuses, and offers.
Just in case somebody needs a referral, they can use this code: F6R4W5U
Were you ever able to get referred?
Is anyone a member at Stanford FCU who can refer me? I live out of state, but was told I can become a member if someone refers me. Referring member gets $50. Thanks.
I just checked with on-line support, and I was informed this account is open to public, but not just student, faculty and alumni of Stanford. Residents outside of CA and apply as well, “they may also apply as long as they can show proof of residency we will open the account”.
looks like the offer has changed. you must be an employee of one of the companies listed here: https://www.sfcu.org/about/what/sponsors/
wonder if they’ll honor the PDF you uploaded? although the T&Cs do say “subject to change”…
if I deposited the $ as per the T&C, maintain for 3 months, took the bonus and close account after that. will that impact my credit score?
It’s listed in the Terms and Conditions, but they do reinforce the reoccurring direct deposit. I just got denied the bonus because I only made one DD. Just a friendly warning to everyone who wants to cash in on this bonus.