Is the Bold Debit Card Legit?

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Pathward^®.

If you're here, you might be asking, "Is the bold debit card legit?" I'm here to tell you the Bold Visa^® Debit Card is legit, and from my perspective, it stands out as a compelling option for students, primarily because it fosters essential financial habits and illuminates ways to leverage banking advantages.

You see, the Bold Debit Card offers legitimate features that redefine how students think about their spending and helps students pay for school.

So, why is the Bold Debit Card a good option? It will help you acquire beneficial money habits and pay for school faster, all while understanding how to maximize banking benefits. In this blog, I will explain how the Bold Debit Card might be among the smartest choices for students seeking financial empowerment.

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What Is the Bold Debit Card?

The Bold Debit Card is a demand deposit account that is super convenient for students to view their transactions and track their Bold Points earned.^* You can use it to make purchases in stores or online, and it's really simple to link it to your Venmo account for extra flexibility.

The Bold Debit Card was created for students so you can earn Bold Points every time you spend–It's like getting rewarded for your everyday spending. You can redeem the points for cashback (added to your balance) or to pay off your student loans,^* making contributions to reduce loans very practical.

The best thing is that you don't realize how much your spending can contribute to reducing your balance of student debt owed because of the wonderful redemption option (redeeming points for student loan payments) offered by our debit card. Why is this a great habit?

How The Bold Debit Card Works

The Bold Debit Card works exactly the same as any other debit card but stands out as a way to optimize financial rewards and pay student loans.

The best thing is to realize that at the end of the year, you will see how much of your spending actually contributes to reducing your balance of student loans. This is a great habit because it allows you to make progress toward paying off your debts without feeling like you're sacrificing too much.

Earning Bold Points* and redeeming them for cashback or applying them toward your student loans can potentially reduce your student debt every time you make a purchase. It's a subtle yet powerful way to take control of your finances and work toward financial freedom.

Key Features and Benefits

Earning Bold Points* is simple and rewarding – upon account opening, for every $2 spent across any category, users accumulate 1 Bold Point. With every purchase, users earn Bold Points, which is essentially money that can be redeemed directly towards cash that goes back to your account balance or student loan payments, effectively reducing debt with every swipe.

Again, for those not inclined towards student loan repayments, Bold offers the flexibility to cash out Bold Points for additional spending. Whether it's grocery stores, coffee runs, or travel purchases, every purchase contributes to accumulating points.

Users can also capitalize on opportunities to boost their points through exclusive deals, partnerships, and targeted bonus points opportunities on the Bold.org platform.

Cashback^*

The cashback feature is pretty straightforward. Here's a simple breakdown of a few benefits of the Bold Debit Card and how to get the best out of them. 🛍💰

Earning Bold Points*:

• Every time you spend $2 using the Bold Debit Card, you get 1 Bold Point.
• This means the more you spend, the more points you earn, and the more rewards you get! Cardholder perks can be obtained by using your card in multiple locations such as gas stations, hotel stays, car rentals, grocery stores, or combined purchases.

Rewarding System:

• You can use the points like money.
• Rewards programs can be redeemed for cash that goes back into your account.
• Or, you can use your bonus rewards to pay off your student loans.

Reducing Debt:

• So, every time you use your Bold Debit Card, you're earning points.
• And these points help you earn more points and pay off what you owe.
• It's like turning your spending into a way to make your student debt smaller!

Pay Student Loans

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to be aware and conscious of how much money you are taking from student loans. With all the responsibilities of being a student, it's difficult to focus on your financial health and ignore the fact that we, as students, continue borrowing money that we have to pay back soon after we graduate.

So, although getting ready to tackle those student loans might seem overwhelming, you've got this. The best advice I've received from other students is that it's all about taking small steps and staying focused on your goals.

From creating a budget to exploring repayment options, we consistently share ways and habits to break it down for you. Our team consistently shares strategies to pay off your loans that align with your current financial situation. Take a look!

Say No to Fees

We all know how frustrating it can be to see our money disappear due to unnecessary charges. Whether it's ATM fees, overdraft fees, foreign transaction fees, or maintenance fees, they can quickly add up and eat into your savings. The Bold Debit Card ensures you can say goodbye to fees for good.

With multiple "fee-free banking" options, sometimes we trust and forget to stay on top of our account balances, and this is where surprising fees show up. A good example is the annual fee cards, which often charge a fee yearly.

This is why the Bold Team makes sure to have your back and has provided a debit card with no surprising fees! We want you to keep more money in your wallet. 

Foreign Transaction Fees

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do as a student. It's like hitting the refresh button on my mind, recharging me with energy and excitement for learning. That's why having the no foreign transaction fees feature^† on the Bold Debit Card is crucial. Whether exploring other cultures, visiting family abroad, or studying in a foreign country, you can rely on your Bold Debit Card wherever you go.

Just remember to check the fees for currency exchange in your destination country, and we recommend paying for travel purchases in the local currency whenever possible. With these habits, you can make the most of your card and avoid paying extra fees at local banks, currency exchanges, or any other purchases.

Customer Service and Security Protections

Protecting your finances in an age of predominantly online fraud is also one of our top priorities. With the Bold Debit Card, you can be assured that your money is protected by robust security measures, ensuring peace of mind in every transaction.

Your money will be backed by $250k FDIC insurance.^** The FDIC ensures the protection of your deposits at banks and savings institutions with FDIC coverage, offering a guarantee of up to $250,000 per depositor. This guarantee is valid at each bank where you hold deposits and applies across every category of account ownership. 

Additionally, with the Bold Debit Card, streamlining your finances with direct deposit and easy transfers makes money movement seamless.

Remember that transferring money to your Bold Debit Card takes a couple of days, so plan ahead if you need it for something important. Once the funds clear, you're good to go! Plus, you can manage everything from your Bold.org account, like setting up direct deposit or ordering a new card if you need one.^†

What Users Are Saying

Ease of use: "It's fairly straightforward: I've utilized it for in-person chip and contactless payments, as well as online, sometimes all in the same day, and have had no problems. The account and routing number can be linked to a Venmo account and you have an added flexibility with the movement of funds."

Cashback and Rewards Experience: "It's definitely earned free money. I've only utilized the Cashback redemptions so far, and it's incredibly lovely, it gives one the incentive and motivation to pursue more Bold Points - with every 100 acquired equivalent to $1 in Cashback or $1.50 if applied to student loan repayments. With my redemption experience, it's about a 24-hour turnaround for the funds to be applied, sometimes lesser. If you've been sitting on a large amount of Bold Points, or have been putting off what you know might be a rewarding opportunity to accrue as such, it's definitely earned free money."

Receiving the card in the mail: "I filled out my application on a Friday, and this was a federal holiday weekend, so the card came in the mail the following Friday."

Transferring funds to your card: "It takes around 5 business days with a minimum $10 deposit from another checking account, so take that into consideration when setting up the card or planning for future transactions if it's something time-sensitive. Nonetheless, once the funds clear and you see them on your Card Dashboard, they're ready for use and you can see any payment/transaction history then and there, as well as having the options to lock your card, set up a PIN, direct deposit, or order a new card if the original gets lost or damaged."

 - Julio Villegas

Julio Villegas, a Bold.org member and user of the Bold Debit Card, provided these insights, highlighting his personal experiences and benefits from using the Bold Debit Card.

Company Background of Bold.org

Bold.org is a nonprofit platform that connects students with scholarship opportunities to help fund their education. It provides a platform for students to find scholarships and grants based on their interests, background, and academic achievements.

Additionally, Bold.org partners with various organizations and individuals to create and fund unique scholarship opportunities. At Bold.org, we aim to make the scholarship application process fun, simple, and effective. Our platform guides students to complete their profile, earn Bold Points, and have multiple funding opportunities, such as no-essay scholarships, that are available and ready for you to apply!

Endorsements and Partnerships

Our team proudly partners with renowned companies such as Capital One, NBA, and Sallie Mae to bring you the best scholarship opportunities. For instance, NBA stars Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony recently launched the $10,000 Social Change Fund United Scholarship.

Celebrities like Terry Crews also surprise deserving students with scholarships, such as the $20,000 Performing Arts Scholarship. Even MMA star Cat Zingano awards scholarships, like the $10,000 Overcoming Loss Scholarship. These partnerships and endorsements not only provide valuable financial support but also open doors to exciting opportunities for students across the globe.

Should You Get the Bold Debit Card?

Absolutely! I have it, and it's been incredibly easy to use. Not only does it help me stay connected to my educational and financial journey, but maintaining several accounts also helps me separate my expenses, which comes in handy when doing taxes every year.

By using the Bold Debit Card, I can allocate my expenses toward paying off my student loans while also keeping track of my spending as a student. This makes the tax filing process at the start of the year much easier and straightforward.

Is the Bold Debit Card a Great Resource for Students?

Managing your money effectively as a student is important, especially for students navigating the complexities of financial independence. The Bold Debit Card presents a convenient and user-friendly approach to managing finances. 

Whether you're making purchases in-store or online, this card simplifies the process, allowing seamless transactions and integrating apps like Venmo, providing added flexibility and enabling swift and hassle-free payments.

Tailored for students, this system rewards you for your everyday spending, essentially turning your purchases into opportunities for financial gain. With every transaction, you earn Bold Points, which can be redeemed for cash back or used to pay off student loans.

This approach to spending encourages good habits while offering real benefits for your financial well-being. By earning Bold Points with each purchase, you gradually contribute towards your student loans, making significant progress towards financial freedom.

In my opinion, the Bold Debit Card is empowering for students. Its features and benefits equip you with the resources needed to navigate the complexities of finances with confidence. So, if you are a student seeking to take control of your finances, the Bold Debit Card can be the perfect companion on your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bold Debit Card

How do I redeem Bold Points?

You can redeem Bold Points by logging into your Bold.org account and navigating to the rewards transfer points section. From there, you can use your points for cashback, which will be added to your balance, or use them to pay off your student loans.

How do I deposit funds on the Bold Debit Card?

Depositing funds onto your Bold Debit Card is simple. You can set up direct deposit from your employer or transfer money from another bank account directly to your Bold Debit Card using the routing and account numbers provided.

How do I make the most of the Bold Debit Card?

To make the most of your Bold Debit Card, use it for everyday spending at places such as grocery stores. Every time you use your card, you earn Bold Points, which can be redeemed for cashback or applied towards your student loans. Additionally, maximize your rewards by taking advantage of any exclusive deals, rewards card partnerships, and bonus opportunities offered on the Bold.org platform.

We will make sure to keep you informed and updated on all the benefits and financial information for your Bold Debit Card.

Get ahead of your student loans. Visit Bold.org, apply for multiple scholarships, and keep your cash safe with the Bold Debit Card!

Bold.org Visa® Debit Card is a demand deposit account provided by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC. Bold.org Visa Debit Card is issued by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Card can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa U.S.A. Inc. All other trademarks and service marks belong to their respective owners. Register your Card for FDIC insurance eligibility and other protections.

*This product or service is independent of Pathward® and Visa and is neither endorsed nor sponsored by Pathward® or Visa.

**Funds are FDIC insured, subject to applicable limitations and restrictions, once Pathward receives the funds deposited to your account.

†The features associated with the Bold Debit Card discussed in this blog post are provided by Bold.org and are not affiliated with our Bank partners, Pathward®, or Visa.