Kids, Teens & Money

School Supplies

School Supply Drive

Come into any Sunward branch to donate much needed school supplies for this upcoming school year.

Books in Lobby

Thank You for Your Book Donations!

This year’s Read to Me Book Drive collected over 50 boxes of children’s books that were distributed to schools and community groups throughout the Albuquerque area.

Six Students studying outside

Sunward 2024 Scholarship Competition: $4,000 Top Award

Sunward members attending college in 2024-2025 are invited to enter our annual essay scholarship competition!

Kids Managing Money

April is National Credit Union Youth Month

Teaching kids and teens about money can be easy with Sunward. From youth accounts to free financial education for teens, we can help teach money management at any age.

Kid Reading Outside

Read to Me Book Drive

Sunward is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories for this year’s Read to Me Book Drive!

Group of college students

Navigating Student Debt

If you are one of the 43 million Americans with a federal student loan, then you know that after more than three years, loan payments resume in October 2023.

Two Girls Graduating

Congratulations to Our 2023 Scholarship Winners

For 29 years, Sunward has supported student members with our annual Scholarship Competition. 

Muddy Jeep

Enter Our Yellow, Blue, and Sunward Auto Photo Contest!

Show love for your credit union by entering our first-ever Yellow, Blue, and Sunward Auto Photo Contest! You could win a special prize!

Hundred dollar bill inside of a jeans pocket

Calling All Teens! Earn $100 for Published Articles

Sunward members ages 13-17 are invited to submit articles on a financial topic of their choice to be considered for publication on our website.

College student sitting in library, studying

College is Stressful… But We Can Help

At Sunward, we know the last thing you want to be worried about is how you will pay for your next semester of college.

Three students hanging out in library

Sunward 2023 Scholarship Competition: $4,000 Top Award

Sunward members attending college in 2022-2023 are invited to enter our annual essay scholarship competition.

Mother and young daughter putting money into a piggy bank

April is National Credit Union Youth Month

Teaching kids and teens about money can be easy with help from Sunward. We have options to help teach money management at any age.

Discover STEAM Day with Sunward

Discover STEAM Day - February 18, 2023

On Saturday, February 18th from 10 am to 3 pm, Sunward invites the community to join us at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History's Discover STEAM Day.

Little girl with Sunward Savings Laboratory stickers

Teach Your Child the Magic of Saving

Sunward’s Savings Laboratory® Program is an exciting way for kids 12 and younger to learn about saving money.

Sunward Teen Member Daniel Gonzales

Teen Article: From Dishwashing to Dollars

Sunward Teen Member Daniel shares how his first job is helping him learn how to manage his money and develop good spending habits.

Lucas Heimgartner, first place winner of our scholarship competition

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Congratulations to our 2022 scholarship winners, and thank you to the 27 members who volunteered their time as judges. 

Close up photo of someone typing on a laptop in class

How to Stay Cyber-Safe During the School Year…Or Anytime

Now’s a great time to make sure computers are ready for a busy school year, and to learn how to avoid common online dangers. 

Teen talking with her mom

Help Teens Prepare for Financial Success

The teenage years are an ideal time to introduce young people to hands-on financial experiences and help them develop smart money habits.

Sunward Teen Member Landon Stewart

Teen Article: Why Saving is Important

Sunward Teen Member Landon Stewart shares how he keeps track of his spending to encourage better savings habits for the future.

Child holding dollar bill and piggy bank

April is National Credit Union Youth Month

Sunward offers resources and tools to help young members have a financially successful future.

two teens at school

College Scholarship Opportunity for New Mexico Students

The New Mexico Credit Union Education Foundation (NMCUEF) is accepting scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 school year.

Carson Stock

Congratulations to Our 2021 Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to our 2021 scholarship winners, and thank you to the 19 members who volunteered their time as judges. 

Sunward Teen Member Nico Grayson

Teen Article: The Profits of Community Service

Sunward Teen Member Nico Grayson shares how his acts of kindness grew into something more meaningful during the pandemic.

Little girl with Sunward Savings Laboratory stickers

Sunward Savings Laboratory® Program Updates

Sunward’s Savings Laboratory® Program has recently been updated to help children learn more about money.

Sunward Teen Member Delaney Montoya

Teen Article: Making Money as a Teen During the Pandemic

Sunward Teen Member Delaney Montoya shares her experience in starting a fashion business as a teen during the pandemic.

Sunward Teen Member Rebekah Payne

Teen Article: What My First Job Taught Me About Earning Money

Sunward Teen Member Rebekah Payne shares what her first job taught her about earning money and setting financial goals.

Sunward Teen Member Jaelyn Sigmon

Teen Article: SOLD! How to Resist Impulse Buying

Sunward Teen Member Jaelyn Sigmon shares her tips on how to resist impulse buying.

Sunward Teen Member Delia Bradley

Teen Article: Is Friendship Expensive?

Sunward Teen Member Delia Bradley breaks down the impact that friendship can have on a teen's spending habits.

Sunward Teen Member Nathaniel Morgan

Teen Article: The Importance of Building Credit in Your Teens

Sunward Teen Member Nathaniel Morgan talks about the importance of building credit in your teens.

Young woman holding diploma and hugging friend at graduation

Congratulations to Our 2020 Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to our 2020 scholarship winners, and thank you to the 27 members who volunteered their time as judges. 

Mom and daughter sitting at kitchen table looking over finances

Financial Fitness: One More Thing to Learn in College

College is often the first time young adults are making their own money decisions, and budgeting should be discussed well ahead of campus arrival.

Little girl with Sunward Savings Laboratory stickers

Sunward Savings Laboratory® Program

Sunward’s Savings Laboratory® Program is an exciting way for kids 12 and younger to learn about saving money.

Sunward Teen Member Taryn Ortiz

Teen Article: How to Decide Where to Put Your Money

Sunward teen member Taryn Ortiz details how she manages her money into four different categories.

Sunward Teen Member John Wendt

Teen Article: Saving is Like Gaming

Sunward teen member John Wendt explains how saving money can be like playing a video game.

Sunward Savings Laboratory Coloring Contest

Sunward Savings Laboratory Coloring Contest

Share a photo of your completed coloring page on our Facebook page for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a local restaurant.

Sunward Teen Member Dallin Gariety

Teen Article: The Benefits of Budgeting

Sunward teen member Dallin Gariety goes over many of the benefits of budgeting.

Sunward Teen Member Megan Stein

Teen Article: A Teen's Guide to Budgeting

Sunward teen member Megan Stein offers tips on how to budget and save.

Sunward Teen Member Hailey Robbins

Teen Article: Three Saving Tips for Teens

Sunward teen member Hailey Robbins offers three saving tips for teens.

Young woman laying on bed using laptop.

Beware of Social Media Scams

Learn ways to help protect yourself from frauds and scams on social media.

Sunward Teen Member Simran Bhardwaj and her HOSA Bowl team members, Hannah Smith and Leo Wang

Teen Article: A Lesson in Fundraising

Sunward teen member Simran Bhardwaj reflects on the trials and errors of trying to raise money for her high school club.

Young adult with glasses sitting on floor with financial papers

Teen Article: Why You Should Save Money

Sunward teen member Mary Brannon explains why she believes teens should save money, even if they think they're too young.

Young woman holding diploma and hugging friend at graduation

2019 Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to our 2019 scholarship winners, and thank you to the 24 members who volunteered their time as judges. 

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College Planning Timeline

Whether you’re starting or returning to college, it’s a good idea to set up a plan so you can feel confident about your responsibilities.

Mom and son adding money to piggy bank.

Make Saving Fun for Your Kids

Sunward’s Savings Laboratory® is an exciting way for kids 12 and younger to learn about saving money. 

Photo of Sunward teen member Simran Bhardwaj

Teen Article: Baking Up Business

Sunward teen member Simran Bhardwaj talks about how she turned her baking hobby into a business.

Photo of teen member Mariah Martinez

Teen Article: Money – It Comes, It Goes

Mariah explains why saving your money is a wiser choice than spending it, and how Sunward's Savings Laboratory® Program encouraged her to save. 

Photo of teen member Rebecca Merchant

Teen Article: Writing and Submitting a Check

Since payments have turned digital, Rebecca feels the new generation doesn’t know the process of writing or cashing a check. 

Photo of member Madison Hogans

Teen Article: Early Birds and Money Worms

This summer I made a big decision. With the proceeds from my first job, I decided to open a Roth IRA. 

Mom helping young boy insert coins into a piggy bank.

Children Can Earn Prizes by Saving Holiday Gift Money

The holidays can be a great opportunity to teach children valuable lessons about money. 

Photo of member Hunter Walkos

Teen Article: Advice to New Debit Cardholders

If you do these things, being a cardholder will be a lot easier, and you'll be more comfortable handling your own money.  

Ryan and Lincoln McCoy posing in front of a Sandial Laboratory Federal Credit Union Logo.

Teach Saving Habits Early

With the Sunward Savings Laboratory®, teaching your child positive financial habits can be both fun and rewarding.

three young girls in graduation gowns taking a selfie on a cell phone.

Smart Ways to Pay for College

What to do when school grants, scholarships and government loans don’t cover the costs of attending college.  

Photo of member Sara Weber.

Teen Article: A Lesson in Giving

I will be making a tangible difference in our New Mexico community, and I know that someone’s life is improving. 

Teen sitting on floor with her laptop and some papers

Investing Basics for Teens

Although investing isn’t necessary to become financially stable or independent, it may provide benefits to someone looking for a smart way to grow their extra cash.

The Maki family shows off their Sunward Savings Laboratory notebooks

Family Finds Value for All Ages at Sunward

The Maki parents make sure their kids have regular opportunities to think about saving and spending money.

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What Do Teens Need to Know About Credit?

Good credit is the key to a solid financial foundation. It can help you secure a loan for school and a car, often at a better rate than someone with a low score would receive.

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Reward Kids for Saving

Designed to help encourage savings habits and financial responsibility at an early age, the Sunward Savings Laboratory program offers an engaging way for kids to get excited about saving.

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Choosing the Right Account Type for Children

When opening a savings account for a child, it's important to consider what purpose the account will serve.