General Information

Q: What is the WaMoola for Schools^® program?
A: The WaMoola for Schools program is a program in which enrolled customers can support their local schools every time they make a purchase with their Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard^®. This program is a way to make a difference for schools. At the end of the year, points are converted to cash and donated by Washington Mutual. Schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education. Each year the program is conducted, it runs on a calendar year basis beginning on January 1 and ending December 31 and is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to add to, delete or change any rule, term, practice, benefit and/or condition of the WaMoola for Schools program. Any such change may reduce, modify or eliminate accrued or earned benefits under the WaMoola for Schools program at any time.

Q: Why is Washington Mutual offering this program?
A: Washington Mutual created the WaMoola for Schools program to deepen relationships with customers and communities and to empower customers to make a difference in education.

Q: Do other companies offer a similar program? How is the WaMoola for Schools program different than other fundraiser programs?
A: Although many companies have reward programs, we believe that Washington Mutual is the only financial institution offering a national program that supports education when customers use their Debit MasterCard for purchases.

Q: How much will it cost to participate in WaMoola for Schools? Is it really free?
A: There is no cost to you or enrolled schools to participate in the program. Washington Mutual pays all program operating costs including donations.

Enrollment Information

Q: How do I enroll in the WaMoola for Schools program?
A: To start accumulating points, you must have a Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard (if you don’t already have one, you can open a checking account and sign up for one) and enroll in the WaMoola for Schools program by designating a school. You can designate a school during the enrollment process in person at a financial center.

Q: How long does it take to enroll?
A: Just a couple of minutes and in most cases you'll have the ability to start earning points within 72 hours.

Q: Are there any requirements for enrollment?
A: Customers pay nothing to enroll in the program and there is no limit to the points a school can earn. However, to start accumulating points, customers must have a Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard and enroll in the program by designating a school.

Q: I have a WaMu Free Checking account. Can I enroll in the program?
A: Customers with a WaMu Free Checking™ account can enroll their card(s) in the WaMoola for Schools program. If you have a WaMu Free Checking account and you choose to enroll or remain enrolled in the WaMoola for a Schools program, you will NOT be eligible going forward for the cash back debit rewards benefit of your WaMu Free Checking account. This choice would apply to your debit card as well as all other cards linked to your account, i.e. your enrollment in the program means that no cards linked to your account will be eligible to participate in the cash back debit rewards benefit. By enrolling or remaining enrolled in the WaMoola for Schools program, you are agreeing to this condition. Also you agree to inform all other accountholders of this change. If other accountholders wish to participate in the program as well they must individually enroll.

Q: Where can I use my Debit MasterCard?
A: Use it wherever MasterCard debit cards are accepted. You earn a point with every debit card purchase – use it for groceries, movies, travel and everyday purchases, by enrolling in the WaMoola for Schools program. ATM transactions are not included in this program.

Q: How do I talk about this program with family and friends?
A: Visit www.wamoolaforschools.com for more information and free tools such as newsletters and fliers that you can use to let others know about the WaMoola for Schools program and how they can start earning points for their schools, too.

Q: Where can I find information about program rules?
A: Official program rules can be found in the Program Rules section of wamoolaforschools.com.

Q: My kids go to different schools. Can I register more than one school?
A: No, you can designate only one school for each Debit MasterCard. If there is more than one Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard attached to a checking account, each cardholder may designate a different school. Donations are based upon each card's usage. Schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education.

Selecting a School

Q: How do I designate a school in the WaMoola for Schools program?
A: You can designate a school during the enrollment process in person at a financial center. All you'll need is the school name, city and state.

Q: My school isn't included on your list. Can it be added?
A: If you don't see your school listed and it meets our eligibility criteria, visit a financial center for assistance. Any school that meets the following criteria is eligible to receive a WaMoola for Schools donation: K-12 public and private schools that have Section 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt status, and that are located in the United States.

Q: My school is new and is not yet open. Can it be added?
A: The school must be officially open before it can be added to the list and start accruing points.

Q: If I move, how do I change my school?
A: You may change your designated school in person at a financial center.

Q: My school has closed. What happens to my points?
A: Donations can only be sent to an eligible school if it is open. If your Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard is currently enrolled and your designated school has closed, you need to re-enroll your card and select an eligible school. You are still accruing a point every time you use your Debit MasterCard for a purchase, but re-enroll by December 31 because any points attached to a closed school at the end of the current calendar year cannot be carried over to the next year and will be void.

Q: If I change my school in the middle of the year, which school will benefit from my points?
A: The school on record at the end of the calendar year will receive the donation. Schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education.

Q: Are day cares, pre-schools or "home schools" eligible to participate?
A: Any school that meets the following criteria is eligible to receive the WaMoola for Schools donations: K-12 public and private schools that have Section 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt status, and that are located in the United States. Therefore, in most cases, day cares, pre-schools and home schools are not eligible.

Q: My grandchildren live in another state and I don't think Washington Mutual has financial centers there. Can I still support their schools through the WaMoola for Schools program?
A: Yes. When you enroll in the WaMoola for Schools program, you can select any K-12 public or private school that has Section 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt status, and that is located in the United States. However, to participate in the WaMoola for Schools program, customers must have a Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard and enroll in the WaMoola for Schools program by designating a school. Schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education.

Q: Can I see a list of people who are supporting a school?
A: No, due to our privacy policy, you cannot view other customers' information, so names of enrolled customers are not available.

Q: How many points have I earned for my school?
A: You can find out your point total by visiting a financial center or calling telephone banking at 800-756-8000.

School Donation

Q: How much money will my school receive when I make purchases with my Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard?
A: You'll accumulate a point for your school every time you make a purchase with your Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard. The overall donation your school receives depends on how many customers choose your school and how many times they make purchases with their card. Each purchase generates one point. Please note that ATM transactions do not earn points. Schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education.

Q: Does the dollar amount of my purchases affect the amount given to my school at the end of year?
A: No, we do not take the dollar amount of your purchase into consideration when calculating the donation amount.

Q: How much is a point worth?
A: The value of a point is as determined from time to time at Washington Mutual's sole discretion. Any change made to the value of a point may be made retroactively to the b and that the determination may be retroactive to the beginning of the year in which the change is made.

Q: What if my school does not cash their check?
A: Schools must cash their checks within six months of their original issuance or the funds will be reallocated to organizations supporting education. For example, if a school receives a donation with an issue date of February 15, 2007 (for points accrued during calendar year 2006) and does not cash it by August 15, 2007, then they will have their funds reallocated to organizations supporting education. For more information, please review the Program Rules page on the Web site.

Q: Can I see how much has been donated to my school?
A: You can view the 2007 donation (for points earned in 2006) at www.wamoolaforschools.com by clicking the View School Stats button.

Q: Does 100% of the donation go to the school or does Washington Mutual deduct any administrative costs?
A: Washington Mutual pays all the costs of administering and operating the program. Points earned are converted to donations that go to local schools. However, schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education.

Q: What does the donation go towards at schools?
A: Washington Mutual imposes no spending requirements or guidelines; we trust that the money will be used to contribute to the betterment of schools.

Q: Does the donation go into the school's savings account or does the school get all the money at once? When will schools receive the donation?
A: Shortly after the end of the calendar year, all points are converted to cash and donated by check directly to the designated schools. The WaMoola for Schools program donations for points earned in 2006 will be distributed to schools in the first quarter of 2007. Note: Schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education.

Q: I am part of the school administration and have questions about our 2007 donation check. What should I do?
A: Please contact us at 1-888-354-7099 if you have any questions about your donation check. Please note:

1. All checks must be cashed by the stale date printed on the check. A stop payment will be issued for any check not cashed by the stale date and the funds pertaining to same will be reallocated to organizations supporting education. A new or replacement check cannot be issued.
2. All checks must be made payable directly to the school. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.

Not a Washington Mutual customer? We hope you'll become one! To open a Washington Mutual checking account and get a Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard®, just visit your local financial center, or visit wamu.com to learn more about the accounts we have to offer. Have a checking account but not a Washington Mutual Debit MasterCard®? Visit your local financial center, or call us at 1.800.788.7000.

School Eligibility: This fundraising program is for K-12 public and private schools who have a 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt status, and who are located in the United States. Program Donations: Schools must earn a donation of $50 or more to receive an individual donation. Schools that earn less than $50 will have their donations allocated to organizations supporting education. For more information, view the official Program Rules.