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Frequently Asked Questions

Use the search bar below to sort through our library of FAQs to learn more about a specific product, service, or process.
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How do I make a payment on my Direct Federal Loan from a Direct Federal Account?

To make a payment to your Direct Federal Loan from a Direct Federal Account, navigate to the “Transfers” feature. For the most payment options, including Principal only payments, click on the “Classic” tab. From there you will be able to select which account you want the payment to come from, which loan it should go to, how much you want to pay, and other payment options.

Why is my checking account balance more than my available balance?

Possible  reasons for the difference in balance and available balance could be as  follows:

-SAME-DAY AVAILABILITY

Funds from the following deposits are available on the day of deposit:

• Cash.

• Electronic deposits, including wire transfers and pre-authorized credits (such as social security benefits and payroll payments), but not including check deposits sent to the Credit Union through Mobile Deposit.

• Checks drawn on Direct Federal Credit Union.

• The lesser of (1) $1000 or (2) all other deposits (except Foreign Checks).

NEXT-DAY AVAILABILITY

Funds from the following deposits are available on the first business day after the day of deposit:

• Checks drawn on the United States Treasury and payable to you

• The following checks, if they are payable to you and are deposited in person at a branch: • Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local government checks

• Cashier’s, certified, and teller’s checks

• Checks drawn on a Federal Reserve Bank or a Federal Home Loan Bank

• U.S. Postal Money Orders

SECOND-DAY AVAILABILITY

Funds from the following deposits are available on the second business day after the day of deposit:

• The following checks, if they are not payable to you and/or are not deposited in person at a branch: • Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local government checks

• Cashier’s, certified, and teller’s checks

• Checks drawn on a Federal Reserve Bank or a Federal Home Loan Bank

• U.S. Postal Money Orders

• The lesser of (1) all other deposits (except Foreign Checks) or (2) the first $5,000 of all deposits you made that day minus any portion of such amount that has already been made available to you.

FIFTH-DAY AVAILABILITY

All other deposits (except Foreign Checks) will be available no later than the fifth business day after the day of your deposit.

LONGER DELAYS MAY APPLY    

-Pending  transactions have yet to post to the account.

Do you offer 529 plans?

We currently do not offer 529 plans.

View our banking account options >

What does my credit score need to be to qualify for a mortgage?

Different Mortgage programs will have varying qualifications. Please contact a mortgage specialist to discuss your options.

Send message to Mortgage Specialist >

Will my credit be pulled if I need a Home Equity increase?

Yes, you will need to submit a HELOC application and select "Home Equity Increase (Refinance)" as the purpose.

Home Equity Line Refinances/Increases have a $295 fee.

Click here to apply to refinance/increase your existing Home Equity Line >

Do I need to sign up to receive fraud alerts?

You will automatically be enrolled to receive all fraud alerts via the contact methods on your account, ie., email address, cell phone, home phone, work phone, etc.

What if I or the RMV lose my Title while doing a state or name change?

One of the following must be done if you have lost or misplaced the title that was mailed to you while the loan is still open:

Contact Direct Federal at 888.2DIRECT to request a duplicate title. Processing time will depend on the RMV. You will be responsible for the state’s duplicate title fee.

Contact your state’s RMV if you live in an owner retained title state for a duplicate title. You will be responsible for the state’s duplicate title fee.

How does Bill Pay work?

Bill Pay allows you to pay all of your bills, outside of Direct Federal Credit Union, in one place. Your payments will be delivered electronically or by check depending on the recipient. You can schedule one-time or recurring payments.

How do I change or remove names from my Title?

If you are adding, changing, or removing a name on the title, you can submit a name change request through Online Banking or by calling our Contact Center at 888.2DIRECT.

IMPORTANT: Direct Federal cannot process the name change for you. You must complete this process with the applicable RMV.

This request allows us to print/prepare the title so you can process the name change at the RMV. We will mail the title and permission letter to the address you have on file with us. Then bring those documents to your RMV so they can process the name change and send the title back to us.

Where can I find my account number online?

You can find your account numbers within Digital Banking under Account Details.

View Account Information >

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