Who Can Join Navy Federal?
Navy Federal Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the United States, serving millions of members worldwide. While its name suggests that membership is limited to Navy personnel and their families, it’s actually open to a much broader group of people. In this article, we’ll explore who can join Navy Federal and highlight the various ways to qualify for membership.
The Basic Eligibility Criteria
To join Navy Federal Credit Union, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Active-duty, retired, or Reserve personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- Family members of eligible personnel, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents.
- Civilian employees of the Department of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or NOAA.
- Retired employees of the aforementioned organizations.
- Rotary members and their families, as part of Navy Federal’s partnership with Rotary International.
- Other groups, including educators, students, and business partners, as outlined below.
Eligible Groups
In addition to the above criteria, Navy Federal also offers membership to certain groups, including:
- Educators: Teachers, professors, and administrators at schools and institutions of higher learning.
- Students: Students currently enrolled in a degree program at a college or university.
- Business Partners: Employees of businesses that have a partnership with Navy Federal, including companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
- National Cooperative Bank Members: Members of National Cooperative Bank (NCB), a financial cooperative that serves the needs of cooperatives and their employees.
- Other cooperatives: Members of select cooperatives, such as the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU).
Eligibility for Specific Types of Membership
Navy Federal offers different types of membership, each with its own eligibility criteria. Some of the most common types of membership include:
- Primary Membership: Eligible individuals who meet one of the basic criteria can join Navy Federal as primary members.
- Joiner Membership: Individuals who are not eligible for primary membership can join Navy Federal as joiner members through a primary member.
- Student Membership: Current students can join Navy Federal as student members, with the option to upgrade to a primary membership after graduation.
- Business Partnership Membership: Employees of partner businesses can join Navy Federal as business partnership members.
How to Join
To join Navy Federal Credit Union, you can:
- Apply Online: Visit Navy Federal’s website and complete the online membership application.
- Apply by Phone: Call Navy Federal’s membership hotline to apply over the phone.
- Visit a Branch: Stop by a Navy Federal branch to apply in person.
- Mail or Fax: Download and print a membership application, complete it, and mail or fax it to Navy Federal.
Benefits of Joining Navy Federal
Membership in Navy Federal Credit Union offers a range of benefits, including:
- Competitive Rates: Navy Federal offers competitive rates on loans, credit cards, and deposit accounts.
- Low Fees: The credit union has low or no fees for many services, including checking accounts and loan applications.
- Advanced Technology: Navy Federal provides online and mobile banking access, as well as state-of-the-art security features.
- Financial Education: The credit union offers financial education resources, including articles, webinars, and workshops.
- Exclusive Discounts: Navy Federal offers exclusive discounts on products and services, including insurance, travel, and entertainment.
Conclusion
Navy Federal Credit Union is a financial institution that offers membership to a wide range of eligible individuals and groups. While its name suggests that membership is limited to Navy personnel and their families, the credit union is actually open to anyone who meets one of the basic eligibility criteria. By joining Navy Federal, you can take advantage of competitive rates, low fees, advanced technology, financial education, and exclusive discounts. Whether you’re a student, educator, business partner, or part of another eligible group, Navy Federal has a membership option that’s right for you.