I tried getting the Nusenda card about a year ago because the 5% education category is unique. As KDM suggested, they were a pain to deal with.
They required a hard pull for membership (Exp if I recall), and I was auto approved online. Then, a day or two later, I received a message saying that my new account had been declined. I called in to find out why and they said that it looked suspicious because I had multiple other accounts opened recently, and that I wasn't in New Mexico. They suggested I stop by a branch to verify my identity. I'm a thousand miles or two away from the nearest branch so decided not to do that.
So, the hard pull definitely sucks (not that unusual for a CU I guess), and they seem to be very conservative (also not that unusual for a small CU I guess). I think the suggestion of calling in to open an account might make sense, but the HP is still a downer just to get membership set up. Overall, the card is still interesting, but not sure if it's worth the hassle.
@fliphusker wrote:Was wondering if anyone had further comments about Nusenda and issues with applying. Like many, I had the Barclays card and now without the bonuses that came with it. I do have the Chase Freedom but running out after June for the rotating category for groceries.
I currently do have Discover IT, Chase Freedom, Chase Slate, Chase Amazon, Barclays (no longer use.) CITI Double Cash back, Cap One Quicksilver (Fist card only use couple times a year.) Some may say I would do better getting a card with better signup bonus, but they have not changed their categories in three years. BCP is not worth it for me as only spend $225/month on groceries, tops and no gas expense.
Is there a list of organizations they ask you to be a member of?
I think it was New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, I joined as whatever was cheapest, i think it was student. that group does send you stuff in the mail constantly, and even after i didnt pay to continue after the first year they keep sending me stuff occasionally. its not pestering for money, its asking for support over some wildlife issue, etc.
make sure to check nusenda's fee listing, becuase its quite large and comprehensive. if they send you anything in the mail and it comes back to them, they charge a fee, probably after sending a few more mailings to generate more fees.
in spite of that, i did apply back in November 2014. They did approve a card for me, but at only $1000 limit and it was the one with no cash back, or maybe its 1% I forget which. So i declined the card.
$25 for the membership for the wildlife.Will have to rethink this one. Thought I had read somewhere it was $10.
Fees do not bother me, I never carry a balance over. Only in it for them to pay me for using their money. 
Along those lines, the $1k line is fine by me, as I am just looking at it for the rotating categories.