Smart Solutions for Savvy Families: Explore GFCU’s Services Designed to Make Back-to-School More Affordable and Less Hectic. 

School bells will be ringing before we know it, and with the start of a new academic year comes the annual back-to-school shopping spree! While the excitement of fresh supplies and new clothes is undeniable, the costs can quickly add up. But what if we told you that getting ready for school doesn’t have to break the bank? At GFCU, we’re dedicated to helping families navigate these expenses with services designed to make your back-to-school budget more manageable. 

We understand that immediate needs often arise during this time. That’s why we offer services like GEN Pay¹. Imagine seeing an offer to Buy Now Pay Later when you make qualifying purchases with your GFCU debit card. This can be incredibly helpful for larger items like a new laptop or a sports equipment set, allowing you to spread out the cost without incurring immediate interest. It’s all about empowering you to make the purchases your family needs, when they need them, on terms that work for you. 

We also understand that life can throw unexpected curveballs, and sometimes a little breathing room can make a big difference. That’s where our Skip-A-Payment² option comes in. If you have an eligible GFCU loan in good standing, you might qualify to skip a payment up to two times per year. This can free up cash flow just when you need it, perhaps to cover those back-to-school expenses without added stress. You can easily find more information about your eligibility and how to utilize this service within our Online & Mobile Banking platform. 

Looking ahead, we encourage you to plan for future expenses with our Vacation Club Accounts. While it might seem early, setting up this account now for scheduled withdrawals means you’ll have funds transferred directly to your checking account on April 30, 2026. This is a fantastic way to proactively save for next year’s back-to-school season, a spring break trip, or any other significant future expense. It’s never too early to start building a financial cushion! 

And here’s a crucial reminder for all Texas residents: Mark your calendars for the Texas Back to School Sales Tax Holiday (Tax Free Weekend), which takes place from Friday, August 8th, to Sunday, August 10th, 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to save even more on eligible back-to-school items, so be sure to plan your shopping accordingly! 

At GFCU, we’re more than just a financial institution; we’re your partner in building a strong financial future for your family. Let us help you make this back-to-school season a smooth and successful one! 

¹Subject to credit approval. Installment payments for BNPL (GEN Pay) loans must come from the GFCU Checking Account in which the initial transaction was made. An eligible purchase for GEN Pay is a debit card purchase made in the past 60 days that is at least $100 and was not a cash equivalent purchase (e.g., ATM withdrawal, money order, cash advance, etc.). Other restrictions surrounding the merchant type and transaction limits do affect GEN Pay eligibility.

²When a Skip-A-Payment request is accepted for an eligible loan, the terms and conditions of that loan will change in that the maturity date on the eligible loan will be extended and may cause an increase in the final payment amount. Skipping a loan payment will not affect the payment record of the account. The Interest will continue to accrue on all affected loans and the first payment after the skipped period may be all or in part applied to interest that has accrued on the eligible loan. Extension of the note may not be covered by Insurance products such as Payment Protection Credit Insurance and Guaranteed Asset Protection. The Credit Union may terminate this program at any time. If approved, the Skip-A-Payment request will amend the loan agreement and the regular monthly payment schedule will resume immediately following the month in which payment has been skipped. The following loan types do not qualify for skip payments: Real Estate, Home Equity, Home Improvement, Share and Share Certificate Secured Loans, Auto loans with Collateral Protection Insurance added, Mobile Home, Credit Cards, Line Of Credit, Single Payment & Balloon, Commercial and Business Secured loans, Members Business loans and Employee Brand Attire. A minimum of six (6) months of payments are required before the first Skip-A-Payment can be approved. Eligible loans can have no more than two (2) monthly payments skipped per 12 month rolling period (Loan Extensions included). In addition, there must be six (6) months between Skip-A-Payment requests. There will be a $25 processing fee for each skipped loan payment.