June 18, 2026

NMU Just Leveled Up Its Money Game with Two New Financial Platforms

Northern Michigan University just rolled out partnerships with two platforms—Collegiate and AlumniFi—that are about to change how the entire NMU community thinks about banking and financial wellness.

Think of it as your financial sidekick, minus the tights and cape.

What’s Happening Here?

NMU is teaming up with Collegiate and AlumniFi to give students, faculty, staff, and alumni access to smarter banking tools, real financial education, and personalized support that doesn’t feel like reading a mortgage contract. Both platforms are backed by MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) and federally insured by the NCUA, so we’re talking legitimate, secure financial services—not some sketchy app your roommate found on Reddit.

The goal? Help everyone in the NMU orbit make better money decisions, whether they’re navigating student loans, saving for a house, or just trying to figure out why their checking account is crying.

Collegiate: Banking That Gets Student Life

Starting fall 2026, Collegiate will set up shop right on campus in the Northern Center. This isn’t just another ATM in the corner of the student union. We’re talking about a full physical space where students can get hands-on help with their accounts, dive into financial education sessions, and get personalized guidance without feeling judged for that late-night DoorDash habit.

Plus, NMU is adding three fee-free ATMs on campus and connecting students to a network of over 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. Because nothing stings quite like a $3.50 ATM fee when you’re already broke.

What students get with Collegiate:

Checking and savings accounts with zero monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements (finally!)
Built-in financial education resources that actually make sense
Secure tools that let families support students financially without the awkward “can I Venmo you rent money” texts
Student lending options designed for real educational financing needs

The platform is built specifically around how students actually live, not how banks think they should live. It’s about promoting independence and building financial literacy that sticks around long after graduation.

AlumniFi: For Everyone Else in the NMU Family

Faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader university community aren’t left out of this financial glow-up. AlumniFi offers a more sophisticated digital banking experience for people juggling everyday expenses alongside those big life goals—buying a home, funding continuing education, or helping their own kids pay for college.

Here’s what AlumniFi brings to the table:

High-yield savings accounts that actually earn you something
Fee-free checking (because everyone deserves this)
Budgeting and spending insights that show you where your money’s really going
Automated savings tools for the “set it and forget it” crowd
Lending solutions for major life moments, including student loan refinancing and parent financing options

Why This Matters

“From our students, faculty, and staff to our alumni and local community, Collegiate and AlumniFi will connect the NMU community with modern banking experiences to help build solid financial futures,” said Chris Olsen, President of NMU. “This is an advantageous partnership that integrates comprehensive financial support directly into the NMU experience, ensuring our community has the tools necessary to achieve long-term financial health.”

Translation: NMU is bringing the bank to you, not the other way around. And they’re doing it with tools that don’t require a finance degree to understand.

April Clobes, President and CEO of Collegiate, AlumniFi, and MSUFCU, put it pretty plainly: “Student success extends beyond the classroom. With extensive experience supporting student success, we focus on helping individuals build the financial confidence and skills needed to navigate life’s milestones. Through Collegiate and AlumniFi, the NMU community now has access to meaningful education and personalized resources at every stage to support long-term financial well-being.”

Financial wellness isn’t just about having money—it’s about knowing what to do with it, whether you’re 19 or 59.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re part of the NMU community—student, parent, alumni, faculty, or staff—you can explore these new financial platforms and start opening accounts by visiting the Collegiate and AlumniFi websites. Your future self will probably thank you.