Mos Review: Fee-Free Banking For Students

When it comes to banking, many of us feel lucky if we can avoid paying fees. But college students looking for a banking experience that’s more actively pushing them toward their financial goals can be hard-pressed to find a good option. 

That’s where Mos steps into the spotlight. The platform offers a positive banking experience packed with plenty of opportunities for college students to make the most of their funds. 

If you are looking for a new kind of banking experience, take a closer look at what Mos has to offer. 

What Is Mos?

Mos is a financial technology company changing the face of banking for students. Instead of making do with a stuffy bank account from a regular financial institution, Mos is giving students the chance to take advantage of banking services with a twist. 

Importantly, Mos isn’t a bank. Instead, the banking services are provided by the Blue Ridge Bank. The platform started as a way for students to find scholarships for college but has expanded into a fee-free banking experience. 

What Does It Offer?

Mos offers an interesting mix of features that college students can take advantage of. Here’s what stands out about Mos. 

Rewards Debit Card

The base of Mos’s offer is its fee-free debit account. It’s similar to a checking account, but there aren’t any physical check options. 

Instead, you’ll spend funds with your handy Mos debit card. As a verified student, you’ll have access to a free customizable debit card. Plus, you’ll get a $20 welcome bonus and a free financial aid advisor to answer your money questions. 

After you open an account, Mos will send you points when you use your debit card to make certain kinds of purchases and complete actions in the app. 

When you sign up, you can choose a favorite category to earn points for your spending. But if you don’t select another category, Mos sets the default category to Food & Drink. You can redeem the points for cash back in the app. 

If you need to get cash out of your account, you can make free withdrawals at any Allpoint ATM. 

Spot Cash Advance

As you make your way through the semester, you might come up short of funds every now and then. Paying for higher education is an expensive endeavor. But the stress of not having enough on hand can cut into your study time. 

Mos offers a helping hand by providing cash advances of up to $25 to students when they need it. As a student, you won’t have to undergo a credit check to finalize this advance. Plus, you’ll have 14 days to repay the advance without paying any interest. 

Find Opportunities To Earn Extra Cash

It’s no secret that college costs can add up quickly. Between paying for living expenses and tuition, a little bit of extra cash can go a long way. 

Within the Mos platform, you can find gigs that might help you make ends meet. Although you could find gigs without Mos’s help, the app vets and sources opportunities so that you don’t have to. 

Painless Scholarship Searching

The platform actually started out as a way for students to find free money to pay for school in an efficient way. 

Within the Mos app, you can take short quizzes to give the platform some information about your scholarship eligibility. From there,  the software will hunt down any scholarships, grants, tuition discounts, and tuition appeals that you might qualify for. 

Are There Any Fees?

One of the best parts about working with Mos is that you won’t encounter any fees. There are no overdraft fees, ATM fees, transfer fees, or minimum balance fees. You won’t even find a fee attached if you accept a cash advance from Mos. 

How Do I Contact Mos?

If you need to get in touch with Mos, you’ll have the option to contact your advisor directly in the app. If you have a fraud claim, you can call the Claims Support Department at 1-833-333-0417 around the clock. Otherwise, you’ll need to reach out over social media on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @mosdotcom. 

Based on the promising 4.8 out of 5-star score on Trustpilot, you should expect a positive experience with Mos. Both the iOS and Android versions of the app have earned over 4 out of 5 stars in their respective stores. 

How Does Mos Compare?

Mos is unique because it combines so many different features into one platform. You aren’t going to find another platform that offers fee-free banking, scholarship help, access to a financial aid advisor, help finding extra earning opportunities, and more. But you can find other fee-free student banking experiences that could fit the bill if you aren’t interested in the other features Mos has to offer. 

If you are looking to work with a bigger bank, Chase’s college checking account is a worthwhile option. If you prefer to stick with a mobile banking app, then consider Current. 

How Do I Open An Account?

If you are at least 18 years old, you can sign up for a Mos account by downloading the app. If you aren’t 18 yet, you’ll need a parent or guardian to act as a sponsor for your account. 

When you sign up, you’ll need to create a tag, which acts like a username for your account. Also, be prepared to provide your phone number, Social Security Number, and email address. 

After your account is approved, you should receive your debit card within seven to 10 business days. But you’ll be able to start using the virtual version of your debit card right away. 

Is It Safe And Secure?

Although Mos isn’t a bank, it works with an FDIC-insured bank to protect your funds. With that, your deposits are insured for up to $250,000. If you are worried that your debit card has been compromised, you can turn off transactions within the app. 

Additionally, the platform employs fraud monitoring systems to protect your account from unauthorized transactions. 

Is It Worth It?

Mos offers a worthwhile opportunity for students to manage their money needs in one place. It’s helpful to have access to a financial aid advisor and know that the platform is tracking down all available scholarship opportunities. However, the platform could be improved by adding a high-yield savings account options or automatic savings features. 

If you aren’t sure about Mos, check out these other banking options for students. 

Mos Features