Going to College? Consider a College Student Credit Card

If you're a parent of a college student it may be a source of great anxiety. If you're a student getting ready to start the next stage of your life, it's another piece of freedom that you have been waiting all of your life to gain. What is it? Your first credit card.

College student credit cards have been the subject of debate and controversy. Some argue that credit card companies are targeting the less than responsible spending habits of college students. They're offering students a credit card knowing that money will most likely be made in finance charges, late fees, and high interest rates. Additionally, colleges and universities often receive kickbacks from the credit card companies for allowing them to set up booths on campus, send offers to students and parents on the university mailing list, and give students the offer they can't refuse. Colleges and universities selling student information to credit card companies is sometimes seen as a conflict of interest.

Others argue that learning to spend wisely and hopefully build a credit history should start as early as possible. If a credit card with a responsible limit is established, it may be the perfect time to build a positive credit report especially when most students aren't bogged down with other financial obligations like house and car payments and the expenses associated with having a family.

If you believe that college student credit cards are right for your child, there are a variety of options available in two major categories. First, if an actual unsecured credit card is desired, very attractive cards geared towards students can be found. Some give extra rewards points for the types of the typical college student purchases like books, music, movies, and food and normal points for all other purchases.

The interest rates on these cards are at a manageable level but like any credit card, students should practice good credit habits by paying the full balance at the end of each billing cycle. Many cards have an introductory rate as low as 0% and no annual fee.

There is another class of college student credit cards that aren't actually credit cards but represent an option with less risk of abuse or irresponsible spending habits. Parents can take out a prepaid credit card where a set balance can be added to the card at selected intervals. This does not build a credit history but prevents the student from getting overwhelmed with credit card debt.

Many of these prepaid cards come with helpful benefits including no annual fee, free automatic bill pay, and free e-mail and text messaging alerts with information on the card's current balance. Additionally, places like Western-Union and many others serve as places where money can be added to the card.

Legislation protecting college students from unlawful credit card practices has been proposed but if you believe that a college student credit card is a good idea, many options are available. As always, going to one of the many popular websites that compare the numerous credit card offers is the best place to get started.

If you're ready to apply for a student credit cards, here are some of the best college student credit cards. Don't just apply for the first card you find though. Make sure you compare college student credit cards to ensure you get the best deal.

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Student Credit Cards - Avoid Bad Debt

For many people, full-time studying at college or university often means that money is in short supply. This article aims to give an overview of student credit cards and to show some ways in which bad debt can be avoided when in full-time study.

Credit cards which are aimed specifically at students may sound like a bad idea to some people, however, for some they can be a lifeline which enables them to financially survive full-time study. Studying away from home can be particularly expensive, with rent for accommodation, bills, travel expenses and the cost of course materials soon mounting up. It could mean the difference between being able to afford study and it being out of reach financially. It's also a good thing for building up a good credit history early on in life. This could prove to be useful later in life when applying for a mortgage for example. It is unlikely that students would qualify for a normal card, as they would usually have insufficient history to get one. Many universities offer their own, and often the applicant will be pre-approved if studying at that university. An advantage of student cards when compared to ordinary ones is the lower spending limit. This means that you are less likely to end up with bad debt.

To avoid bad debt and its harmful effect on your financial future, it's essential to make the card payments on time. Late payment could mean future problems getting loans or mortgages, and most people will need these at some time in their life. Try to live within your means and avoid adding non-essential things to your balance, for example big restaurant bills, expensive nights out partying etc. Do your best to stick to paying for only the essentials such as groceries, bills, and books.

If you have a student loan in addition to a card, it's important to remember that at some point you will have to pay back the loan as well as the card's balance. It's a good idea not to stretch yourself too far money-wise, or you could end up with bad debts.

If you use your common sense and judgment when handling your finances, and avoid excessive spending on non-essential items, it's relatively straightforward to avoid money problems. If you are having difficulty meeting your monthly payments and don't spend on items which aren't essential, it could be that you need to find a source of extra income such as a part-time job. If this is the case, do try to find one that won't interfere with your studies too much.

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American Express Student Credit Card

American Express was ranked as one of the best credit card issuers whether it is for corporations, professionals and students. It provides great financial advantage to its client making sure they are well provided with their needs. For those college students who are eager of getting a credit card, the American Express student credit card must be on their top choices. With its high credit limit assessment, you can surly get the card that has full potential to buy all the things that you need in your academics and extra curricular activities. It will never fail you; it is accepted in almost all establishments in your area. You can use it almost anywhere so you will never be afraid going out even without cash. This credit card is good as cash and it can maintain your financial capacity to afford anything that you want.

The internet is one of the best advertising medium that can be used to reach the market that's why the American Express credit card offer can be found online. Once you check the official website of American Express, you can immediately find it after some clicks. When you're their and you are decided to apply, you can fill out the application form. There are only couple of questions that you have to answer so spend some minutes completing the application. It's made fast and convenient to suit the busy schedule of a college students. What are you waiting for, apply now top get your credit card approval within the day or the next.

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Credit Cards For a Student

When you start off life as a student then you're probably going to quickly learn about money management. Whilst every student needs to scrimp and save as much as possible, there are a number of credit cards for those students who want a little more flexibility when it comes to their spending.

There are a number of credit card deals made especially for students. These credit cards are often simple to apply for, and have one requirement - you must be studying at college/university. Other than that they may have much less strict requirements and credit checks, and offer various limits when it comes to how much you can spend.

One reason why it can be a great idea for students to get hold of a credit card is due to the fact that they can help teach money management and the importance of finances. If you keep up with all of your monthly repayments, then you'll also quickly build up a great credit score which will serve you well when you apply for accounts or loans in the future.

Many student credit cards will often come with great rewards. Some may offer you an interest free amount of spending, where others will give you free items or cash sums when you sign up. Though some of these offers can look inviting, you should carefully read the small print to ensure you know just what you're getting. It's also worthwhile to think about which card will save you the most money over the period of your course. If you are careful, credit cards for students can be a useful addition to your student life.

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