Cash or check. They will deposit it or spend it. My nephews definitely use cash at restaurants.

You can still give cash. They can spend it, go to an actual bank to deposit or give it to parents and they transfer the money. Or give a check and they can mobile deposit. Whatever is easiest for you.

My kids give us the cash and we transfer the money to their accounts.

He needs to learn investing, personal finance and not just receive cash via Zelle.
My 18- year old opened Roth for 2025, picked his own investments, and is now working on building his credit.

If you still have checks around, the kids cash them through mobile deposit through their phones.

You can also have your banking app send them checks like you do when paying any other bill

Back in my day, cash was an excellent gift after high school. Having some spending money for college pizzas went a long away. In 2026 we are practically cashless. When giving money, is cash best? or a check? or ask the grad how you can venmo them? My kid is a Junior this year, and he likes to keep his cash to look at but does not spend it. He has a bank account he does not really touch either, so this will help me for next year too.