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Young Investors StewardAccount®

Assist the children in your life to take the first steps on their financial journey — starting early to build their accounts over time with a Young Investors (Y.I.) StewardAccount.

Open a Y.I. StewardAccount now

About the Y.I. StewardAccount

Starting your child’s financial journey early can make all the difference. Whether celebrating a new addition to the family or creating a lasting legacy for your grandchildren, the Y.I. StewardAccount offers a meaningful way to invest in their future.

This account grows with your young investor, building both their savings and their financial responsibility. By age 16, they can explore the freedom of a debit card and online account access (with custodian approval). Plus, high school seniors with a Y.I. StewardAccount can apply for the Take Heart Scholarship each February, giving them another step toward a bright future.

Students walking back and forth in a highschool hallway.

Great Grades and Service Hours Earn Extra Dollars

Young Investors ages 7–18 can earn* up to $50 each year by submitting grades and service hours to their Y.I. StewardAccount®️. Submit for extra credit now through August 31, 2026, to earn up to $25 for good grades and up to $25 for service hours (min. 10 hours).

*Active Y.I. StewardAccount required

Submit grades and hours

Explore the Benefits

Minimum of $25 to open the account

Premium interest rate

Interest compounded daily and paid monthly

Accessible savings that grow with your child

Support LCMS ministry growth

Earn extra dollars for service and good grades

MinimumRateAPY*
$253.000%3.042%
* APY is the annual percentage yield, representing the effective rate of interest when all principal and interest payments are retained in the investment balance.

FAQs

What is a Young Investors StewardAccount at LCEF?
The Young Investors StewardAccount at LCEF is designed for children ages 0 through 18 to begin their financial journey while supporting the LCMS. It’s an accessible method for teaching investing and financial responsibility to members of the next generation as savings grow with them.

Additionally, children in this program can earn extra credit dollars in their Young Investors StewardAccount for good grades and community service when they are ages 7-18.

Finally, high school seniors with a Young Investors StewardAccount are eligible to apply for LCEF’s Take Heart Scholarship, which opens in February and closes in May each year.

How old does a young investor need to be to earn funds for their grades and service hour extra credit?
Young investors between the ages of 7 and 18 may earn additional account credit dollars by submitting a valid report card, minimum of 10 service hours or both.
What is the Take Heart Scholarship? When can I apply?
The Take Heart Scholarship was developed for high school seniors who will soon advance to the next level of higher education. This scholarship is open to high school seniors who hold a Young Investors StewardAccount with LCEF. The application involves responding in essay form to the year’s prompt. Applications open in February of each year and close in May.
Does the Young Investors Extra Credit program apply to any other LCEF accounts?
No. Extra credit can only be earned by Young Investors StewardAccount holders.
How can I submit grades and service hours for extra credit dollars on a Young Investors StewardAccount?
Please submit your student’s grades and service hours through our online form. The form accepts submissions from May 1 to August 31 each year. Extra credit applications for a Young Investors StewardAccount may only be submitted via the online form—mail and email submissions for extra credit are not accepted. Award dollars will be added to Young Investors StewardAccounts in September, once the application window has closed and all submissions have been processed.
How much extra credit can my young investor earn?
Young investors can earn a total of up to $50. In extra credit dollars per school year: up to $25 for each for grades and community service.

 

  • Grades: Account holders may earn $1 per “A” grade per quarter, trimester or semester with a maximum award amount of $25. Any variation of an “A” grade will be accepted (e.g. A+, A, A-). If a student’s school awards non-letter grades or employs an alternative grading scale, please count the mark equivalent to a top or passing grade as an “A” for our purposes. Homeschooled students may attach any sort of written report card as proof of grades earned.
  • Community service: Young investors may earn up to $25 per year for completing 10+ hours of community service during one school year.
Award dollars will be applied directly to the student’s Young Investors StewardAccount.
Does the Young Investors Extra Credit program work without an account through LCEF?
No. Only Young Investors StewardAccount holders between the ages of 7 and 18 may apply for extra account dollars for grades and community service. If a student would like to earn extra credit dollars, then a Young Investors StewardAccount can be opened in preparation for next school year’s extra credit submission period. Open an account today.
Can I submit grades and community service hours for the most recent school year if I open a Young Investors StewardAccount today?
Young Investors StewardAccounts are only eligible for extra credit earned during the time the account has been open. For example, accounts opened prior to the beginning of the school year are eligible to receive extra credit for the entire school year. Accounts opened during the school year are eligible to receive credit for any grades earned after the account was opened. The submission window for extra credit opens May 1 and closes August 31 each year. If you would like to earn extra credit next school year, we encourage you to open an account today.

Open a Y.I. StewardAccount Online

All you will need to apply is your personal information, banking details and an image of the custodian’s driver’s license.

Get started

Helpful Documents

Beneficiary Designation Form
Investment ACH Authorization Form for Individuals
Y.I. Debit Card and MyAccount (Online Account Access) Form
Y.I. StewardAccount Application
Y.I. Gift Certificate

Young Investor (Y.I.) Stamp Program

Saving is fun with the Y.I. Stamp Program! This hands-on program makes saving tangible and teaches stewardship in an exciting, memorable way.

Learn more

Open a Y.I. StewardAccount Online

All you will need to apply is your personal information, banking details and an image of the custodian’s driver’s license.

Get started