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You could turn everyday banking into $2,500.*
Whether you're a student, parent, faculty member, or staff member, UCU can help you build stronger financial habits for whatever comes next. Use your debit card and earn entries for a chance to win!
Built for everyday moments.
The biggest financial decisions aren't always about major milestones. They're the everyday choices that help you stay on track, prepare for the unexpected, and make progress toward your goals. The right checking account, savings strategy, and financial tools can make those choices easier.
- University Checking: Manage everyday spending with convenient digital banking, debit card access, and tools that help keep your finances on track.
- Money Market Plus & Money Market Advantage: Grow your savings while keeping your money accessible for the goals and opportunities ahead.
- Financial Wellness Resources: Access educational tools, guidance, and support to help you build healthy financial habits at every stage of your journey.
Higher Earning Sweepstakes
Taking the next step toward your financial goals could come with $2,500.
Open a qualifying account and earn entries into the Higher Earning Sweepstakes every time you make an eligible purchase with your UCU debit card.
How to enter:
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New to UCU? Open a University Checking Account and use your UCU debit card to earn entries.
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Already have University Checking? Open a qualifying UCU Money Market Account and continue using your UCU debit card to earn entries.
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Make eligible purchases with your UCU debit card.
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Earn one sweepstakes entry for every eligible debit card transaction.
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Get a chance to win a prize package and up to $2,500
Four winners. Up to $2,500 each.
Campus winners
- One winner each from UC Davis, UCLA, and UC San Diego
- Campus prize package + $500 cash
Community winner
- One winner from the remainder of UCU's field of membership
- UCU prize package + $500 cash
Grand prize
- One of the four winners will receive an additional $2,000
- Total winnings: up to $2,500
Start earning entries today.
Open a qualifying account, use your UCU debit card, and automatically earn an entry for every eligible transaction.
Open your checking or money market account in digital banking!
If you are already a UCU member-owner and wish to open a University Checking, Money Market Plus, or Money Market Advantage account, log in to your UCU digital banking account, select 'Menu', then 'More', and submit the secure request form to our team. For further assistance, call us at 800.UCU.4510.
Not a member? Click the link below and become one today!
Frequently asked questions
- How do I enter the Higher Earning Sweepstakes?
To enter, open a qualifying UCU account and use your UCU debit card. Each qualifying debit card transaction earns an entry into the sweepstakes.
- What accounts qualify for the sweepstakes?
You can qualify by:
- Opening a University Checking account
- Opening a Smart Checking account
- Opening a Money Market Plus account
- Opening a Money Market Advantage account
- Do I need a UCU checking account to participate?
Yes. Eligible debit card transactions generate sweepstakes entries. If you do not currently have a UCU checking account, you can open a University Checking or Smart Checking account to begin earning entries.
- I already have a UCU checking account. How can I participate?
Existing checking account holders can qualify by opening a Money Market Plus or Money Market Advantage account. Once your qualifying account is opened, each eligible UCU debit card transaction will earn an entry.
- How do I earn sweepstakes entries?
You earn one entry for each eligible transaction made with your UCU debit card during the promotional period.
- What transactions earn sweepstakes entries?
You will earn one (1) sweepstakes entry for each qualifying debit card transaction of $5.00 or more made with your UCU debit card during the promotion period, subject to the Official Rules.
What types of purchases qualify?
Examples of eligible transactions may include:
- In-store purchases
- Online purchases
- Mobile wallet purchases made using your UCU debit card (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
- Recurring merchant charges paid with your UCU debit card
- Dining, retail, entertainment, and everyday spending purchases
What transactions do NOT qualify?The following transactions do not earn sweepstakes entries:
- ATM withdrawals
- Cash advances
- Returned or refunded purchases
- Reversed transactions
- Person-to-person (P2P) transfers, such as Zelle® or Venmo transfers funded by your account
- Balance transfers
- Account-to-account transfers
- Loan payments
- Fees or service charges
- Transactions that are canceled, disputed, fraudulent, or unauthorized
- Is there a limit to how many entries I can earn?
Each qualifying debit card transaction earns one (1) entry. There is no limit to the number of entries you may earn during the promotion period. Qualifying transactions must post to your account during the promotion period to be eligible.
- What prizes can I win?
Four winners will each receive a prize package and $500 cash. Additionally, one of the four winners will receive a $2,000 grand prize, bringing their total winnings to $2,500.
- How many winners will be selected?
Four winners will be selected:
- One winner from UC Davis
- One winner from UC San Diego
- One winner from UCLA
- One winner from the remainder of UCU's field of membership
One of those four winners will also receive the additional $2,000 grand prize.
- What is included in the campus prize package?
Each campus winner will receive a campus-themed prize package plus $500 in cash. Specific prize package items will vary.
- I'm not a UCU member. Can I still enter?
Yes. If you're eligible for UCU membership, you can become a member, open a qualifying account, and participate in the sweepstakes.
- Does using my debit card increase my chances of winning?
Yes. Every eligible debit card transaction earns an entry, giving you additional opportunities to be selected.
- Will opening an account automatically enter me into the sweepstakes?
Opening a qualifying account makes you eligible to earn entries, but you'll also need to use your UCU debit card to generate entries on qualified purchases.
- How will winners be notified?
Winners will be contacted using the contact information associated with their UCU account or entry record.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes open only to eligible U.S. residents age 18 or older who qualify for membership and open a qualifying University Credit Union account during the promotion period. Eligible participants will receive one (1) entry for each qualifying debit card transaction of $5.00 or more. Void where prohibited. Promotion begins September 10, 2026 and ends November 30, 2026. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Four winners will each receive a prize package and $500 cash. One of the four winners will also receive an additional $2,000 grand prize. See Official Rules for complete eligibility requirements, entry methods, prize details, restrictions, and free alternate method of entry.