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If you’re in college, a student credit card can be an important step in your financial journey. Even non-traditional and international students can take advantage of these credit-building tools to grow their credit scores and practice good credit habits. Building credit with a student card can make it easier for you to take out low-cost loans, rent an apartment and even land a job. And you may even get to enjoy select credit card perks like cash back rewards or free access to your credit score and credit report.
Here you’ll find our top picks and tips to make the most of a student credit card.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
5%
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.49% - 23.49% Variable
Recommended credit
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
The Discover it Student Cash Back makes it possible to skip the "starter card" phase even if you don't have a credit history. It features a full-fledged cash back program, earning 5 percent on rotating bonus categories when you activate each quarter (up to the quarterly maximum of $1,500 in combined purchases, then 1 percent).
Discover’s Cash Back Match program will match all of the cash back you earn with this card at the end of your first year.
There are a fair amount of redemptions options with this card, including direct deposits, charity donations and gift cards.
Cons
You’ll have to keep track of bonus categories and enrollment dates.
The intro APR period on purchases is rather short at only 6 months.
No credit score required to apply.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
New! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 14.49% - 23.49% applies.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
5%
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Intro offer
$100
Limited Time Offer: Earn $100 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Fair to Good (580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Students in the market for a card that offers flat-rate cash back rewards and few fees will find a pretty good match in this Capital One credit card. There are no foreign transaction fees and the 1.5 percent flat cash back rate, plus 5 percent back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, is one of the most generous rewards rates for a student credit card.
This card does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
The welcome offer is attainable; students only have to spend $100 in the first three months to earn $100 back.
Cons
This card does not offer an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers.
This card charges a late fee. While standard for most cards, some student cards do not charge one.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Limited Time Offer: Earn $100 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
You can help build your credit with responsible use of a card like this
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1.5%
Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
1%
1% cash back on eligible purchases right away.
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
15.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Recommended credit
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
If you're a student with a credit history that's a work in progress, the Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card could help you graduate to the next level. This card also offers an incentive-driven cash back program.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
8%
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats
5%
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
3%
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
1%
Earn 1% on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$100
Limited Time Offer: Earn $100 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Fair to Good (580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
If you’re looking for a card to fund a solid night in or out, consider the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. It handsomely rewards popular dining and entertainment purchases, while also granting you the opportunity to earn a higher credit limit in as little as six months with positive credit activity. The card also has an attainable welcome offer; students only have to spend $100 in the first three months to earn $100 back.
With no foreign transaction fees, this card could be a solid study abroad tool.
This card doesn’t have a penalty APR.
Cons
The regular APR is high with this card, at 16.49 to 26.49 percent variable.
Superstores like Target and Walmart do not count for the 3 percent cash back rate.
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases. Plus, earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats
Limited Time Offer: Earn $100 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
You can help build your credit with responsible use of a card like this
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
2%
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.49% - 23.49% Variable
Recommended credit
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This card is a great example of why it’s important to find the credit card that rewards you for purchases you most often make. The Discover it Student chrome offers bonus cash back automatically at gas stations and restaurants—two of the most common spending categories for college students.
This card is fairly affordable to hold with no annual fee, foreign transaction fees or penalty APR.
Benefit from Discover’s Cash Back Match program with this card and get all the cash back you earn in the first year matched.
Cons
You must have at least $5 in cash back rewards to redeem for a gift card.
There is a quarterly cap on the 2 percent cash back you earn at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined quarterly purchases, then 1 percent).
No credit score required to apply.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
New! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 14.49% - 23.49% applies.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
Intro offer
$50 Bonus
$50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
An easily attainable intro bonus, no annual fee and a chance to earn no hassle, flat-rate cash back makes the Chase Freedom Student credit card a great choice for students just starting out on their credit journey. You can also snag $20 Good Standing Rewards each account anniversary for up to 5 years.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
22.24% - 31.74% (Variable)
Recommended credit
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This card is designed for the credit newcomer who wants to create good financial habits. With the ability to create and track monthly budgets, calculate interest costs and monitor your credit score, Petal gives you all the tools you need to build a positive credit history.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1%
Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.99% Variable
Recommended credit
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
With the Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students, you don’t have to take a crash course in personal finance. This card has a simple and straightforward rewards rate and international students can qualify for this card without having a Social Security number, a fairly rare advantage that provides key access to credit for a much wider range of students.
You aren’t required to make a deposit to carry this card.
International students may find value in this card, given that a social security number is not required to apply.
Cons
There are no intro APR offers on purchases or balance transfers.
You are required to at least have a checking account when applying for this card.
Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student on Deserve after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles with your EDU card (Lifetime Value of $59).
Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.
Feel secure with cell phone protection up to $600.
No deposit required. No annual fees.
No international transaction fees on purchases abroad so you can travel with confidence.
No Social Security Number required for international students to apply.
Refer A Friend Program: Refer anyone to Deserve using your personal referral code. Upon approval, card activation and use, you'll receive $30 and so will your referral. Referral bonuses are unlimited!
Manage and track your spending, set automatic payments and securely freeze your card all through one easy to use app.
See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score in minutes.
Deserve Mastercards are issued by Celtic Bank, Member FDIC.
Enjoy Mastercard Platinum Benefits intended to make your life easier like Mastercard ID Theft Prevention™ and Master Rental®.
A closer look at the best credit cards for students
Discover it Student Cash Back: Best for rotating cash back bonus categories
What we love about the Discover it Student Cash Back: Students can build credit, earn top-of-the-line rotating cash back rewards and take advantage of one of the best sign-up offers around. It’s rare to find a student credit card with a welcome offer, let alone the same offer available on rewards cards for people with good-to-excellent credit.
Who this card is good for: Students looking to earn cash back in categories typically offered as part of Discover’s rotating cash back calendar — such as dining, online shopping and gas. Back-to-school shoppers who need to stock up on college supplies can also take advantage of an intro APR offer for six months from account opening (then a variable APR of 14.49 percent to 23.49 percent applies)
Alternatives: If you’re looking for a simpler way to earn rewards, a flat-rate credit card like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card could be easier to keep up with while still offering you consistent cash back on all of your purchases.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate cash back
What we love about the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: The card’s 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases is one of the highest base rates available on a student card. This is also one of the few cards that offers more than 1 percent back on general purchases as well as bonus rewards in other categories — 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Who this card is good for: Student travelers looking for a hassle-free way to earn rewards on all purchases. Students who plan to study abroad or make online purchases with foreign merchants will also love that this card lets you avoid foreign transaction fees.
Alternatives: If you typically spend more on food and entertainment than hotels and rental cars, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good alternative thanks to its impressive rewards rate in popular categories like grocery stores, restaurants and streaming services.
Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card: Best student starter card
What we love about the Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card: It has a relatively low barrier to entry and is accessible to students and other people with a limited credit history. And thanks to its great flat rewards rate of up to 1.5 percent cash back (after 12 on-time monthly payments) and a mobile app packed with helpful features, this card could be a good long-term option even after you’ve graduated.
Who this card is good for: People with no credit or a limited credit history who want to avoid a security deposit and annual fees. Just note that you may need to look elsewhere if you have a history of late payments or bankruptcy.
Alternatives: If you can’t qualify for an unsecured student rewards credit card, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a good option that will help you build credit and earn rewards in the popular everyday categories of gas and restaurants.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best overall student credit card
What we love about the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers the same great cash back rate and has many of the same features and benefits as the non-student version of the SavorOne. That means students can build credit without sacrificing rewards on food, entertainment and more.
Who this card is good for: Students looking for a single card that earns rewards on everyday staples like groceries and dining as well as extras like concert tickets, travel and streaming services.
Alternatives: If you’re looking for even more category variety or spend heavily outside the food and entertainment category, you might have an easier time racking up rewards with a rotating cash back card like the Discover it Student Cash Back Card.
Discover it Student chrome: Best for gas, dining, and large purchases
What we love about the Discover it Student Chrome: Instead of forcing you to deal with rotating categories, this Discover card lets you earn cash back year round on gas station purchases and dining — two popular spending categories for students.
Who this card is good for: Students who want to focus on building credit while also earning cash back on everyday essentials. And if you need to make a large purchase, this card’s intro APR offer can give you time to avoid interest charges.
Alternatives: You may be able to earn more cash back with a flat-rate card like the Petal 2 or Capital One Quicksilver Student card, especially if you tend to spend a lot of money in categories other than gas and dining, such as groceries.
Chase Freedom Student credit card: Best student card for benefits
What we love about the Chase Freedom Student credit card: This card’s features encourage students to develop good financial habits. You can get a credit limit increase after making five monthly on-time payments within 10 months of account opening (if you meet the score requirements) and earn a $20 reward each year on your account anniversary if your account is in good standing (for up to five years). It’s also a bit safer for beginners since its APR is just 16.49 percent variable — far lower than the rate you’ll find on most student cards.
Who this card is good for: Credit-building students more interested in being rewarded for their solid financial habits than for spending money.
Alternatives: The Petal 2 is another great credit-building card that rewards good financial habits, boosting your rewards rate from 1 percent back to up to 1.5 percent back after you make your first 12 on-time monthly payments.
Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card: Best for local cash back offers
What we love about the Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card: The Petal 1 mobile app comes loaded with credit-building tools like access to your credit score, a calculator to see how much interest you may face based on your balance and a tool that can help you avoid paying for subscriptions you no longer use. There’s also a map that shows local offers that earn 2 percent to 10 percent cash back at select merchants.
Who this card is good for: Credit builders who prefer an unsecured credit card and could benefit from an approval process that factors in alternative data like their income, bill payment and banking history in addition to their credit report.
Alternatives: If you have negative marks on your credit report and struggle to qualify for student cards, there are a number of secured and unsecured credit cards for bad credit that have more lenient credit score requirements and can help you build your credit.
Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students: Best for students with no credit history
What we love about the Deserve EDU Mastercard: This card has a nice perk for students: Cardholders who spend $500 in their first three billing cycles will receive a credit for a one-year Amazon Prime Student subscription, valued at $59. It’s also accessible for international students as it doesn’t require a social security number to apply.
Who this card is good for: Students who need a more accessible card. For example, international students may have an easier time qualifying for this card, as there is no minimum credit score requirement and a Social Security number isn’t required for the application.
Alternatives: If you want to boost our rewards earnings, the Discover it Student Cash Back card might be a better choice for you. Cardholders are rewarded with 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1 percent, enrollment required) in rotating categories—whereas EDU Mastercard holders earn just 1 percent cash back on all purchases.
What are student credit cards and how do they work?
If you’re enrolled in college and have little or no credit history, a student credit card can help. Like traditional credit cards, student cards give you access to a line of credit you can use to make purchases. How you use the card is then reported to one or more of the three major credit bureaus.
If you pay your bills on time and don’t use too much of your available credit, you can begin to build up a positive credit history and grow your credit score. This will go a long way toward showing creditors that you know how to use credit responsibly. Once you graduate, the hard work you’ve put in building and maintaining good credit can pay off in a number of ways, as you’ll likely qualify for more rewarding credit cards and have an easier time financing a car loan or mortgage at an affordable rate.
Why building credit is important for a college student
A credit card is one of the best ways to build credit, but it can be hard to get approved for one if you have limited or no credit history. Without access to credit, you’re more likely to face numerous financial challenges.
Student credit cards give you a chance to get a head start on building credit, which can help you overcome some of these obstacles. Here are the benefits that come with using a student card:
A student credit card gives you access to a line of credit you can use to make purchases. And as long as you pay off those purchases in full by your card’s due date, you’ll avoid interest charges. This can be especially useful when returning back to school in the fall or in case of an emergency like your car or computer needing repairs.
If you start to build good credit as a college student, you’ll have an easier time borrowing money later in life. Having a long history of good credit not only improves your chances of getting approved for large loans like a mortgage or auto loan, but also unlocks better interest rates that can help save you a lot of money over time.
When you use your student credit card responsibly, you’re practicing the good credit habits that show creditors you can be trusted to pay back the money you borrow. Many student cards also come with features that can improve your financial literacy skills.
The good credit habits you practice now can boost your credit score, which will make it easier to rent an apartment in the future. Landlords perform credit checks to see if you have a good credit history, which helps determine how likely you are to make on-time payments.
Employers perform credit inquiries, looking at a modified version of your credit report that shows some of your financial data, including outstanding balances, any bankruptcies and available credit. Depending on the job you apply for, late payments and signs of financial distress could impact your chances of being hired.
A poor credit score could lead to you paying thousands of dollars more in insurance costs than people with stellar credit. According to 2022 rate data from Quadrant Information Services, you’ll pay an average of $3,002 per year for full insurance coverage if you have a poor credit history — 93% more than drivers with excellent credit. And it gets worse if you’re a homeowner with a poor credit history: You’re likely to pay 150% more for homeowners insurance than someone with excellent credit.
Pros and cons of student credit cards
Pros
Less strict credit requirements— Student credit cards are designed for those who are just starting out, so a lack of credit history is less likely to prevent you from approval.
Student-centric rewards—While some credit cards with lower credit requirements are lacking in the rewards department, plenty of student cards offer cash back or points in popular student spending categories.
Specialized benefits—Student credit cards often feature perks designed to appeal to credit beginners, like lenient late fee policies, automatic review for a credit line increase, and credit education tools.
Low cost—Many students want to avoid credit cards that cost money to carry. Luckily, many of the top student credit cards are free of annual fees.
Cons
Less robust rewards programs—While plenty of student credit cards offer modest rewards, the highest-earning rewards cards generally require good-to-excellent credit.
Potential for high interest rates—In general, lower credit requirements tend to mean higher interest rates.
Lower credit limits—Students are often considered a higher-risk borrower for lenders and these lenders may offer lower credit limits until student borrowers prove creditworthiness with responsible card use.
Borrowed funds—Remember that money on a credit card is borrowed and must be repaid, so it’s important to carefully monitor credit card spending.
Credit cards have a minimum age requirement. You have to be at least 18 to get your own credit card, but your chances of getting one before you’re 21 are slim unless you have a cosigner or can show a steady income as a student (note that this could include income from grants and scholarships, but not from loans). Student credit cards are also typically reserved for people in college who have little or no credit history. If you have a history of making late payments or have defaulted on a credit card in the past, your best option may be a credit card for bad credit.
Your credit score does more than show lenders your creditworthiness. It also shows you the credit cards you are qualified for. Knowing your credit score can help you avoid applying for a credit card you have little chance of getting approved for or a card you’re overqualified for and isn’t worth your time.
If you’re new to credit cards, you should know the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards. If you can’t qualify for an unsecured credit card, you may have to settle for a secured card, which requires a refundable security deposit. This deposit acts as your credit limit, though you can’t use it to make payments. Instead, issuers hold on to it in case you are unable to pay off your debt (and will return it to you when you close your account or upgrade to an unsecured card).
Your student card can do more for you than help you build credit. For example, some will have student card perks like free credit score access or the chance to earn cash back on your purchases. Or if you plan to study or travel abroad, you might like a credit card that charges no foreign transaction fees.
Each credit card will come with its own set of credit card fees. It may be impossible to avoid all of them, but picking the right card for you and using it responsibly can help you avoid many of these charges. Typical fees to watch out for include annual fees, late fees, cash advance fees and balance transfer fees.
Still unsure if a student credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
How students can avoid credit card debt
The average American holds over $5,000 in credit card debt. To make matters worse, once you’ve fallen into debt, it’s not easy getting out. You may not be able to control all the factors that get people into debt, but there are some moves you can make that can help you avoid it or be ready to manage it efficiently. Here are five tips to help you with credit card debt.
Choose the right card for you. Your credit history, finances and lifestyle will all play a role in helping you narrow down your choices for a student credit card. If possible, pick a card that has a low ongoing APR in case you end up needing to carry a balance.
Have a budget. If you know how to budget, you can avoid some of the common missteps that lead to debt.
Pay on time. Late payments wind up as negative marks on your credit report and can come with late fees as well as trigger penalty APRs, which could lead to more debt.
Pay off your balance in full whenever possible. Paying more than the minimum payment due and even trying to pay in full each month will help you avoid excessive interest charges that push people deep into credit card debt.
Try to avoid cash advances. A cash advance creates an unnecessary burden on your finances, thanks to excessively high interest rates that begin to add on to your debt the moment you withdraw funds.
Bankrate insight
It’s best to not use your credit card to pay for tuition, but some schools will allow you to do it. However, be aware that you may be charged a convenience fee, and interest will stack up quickly if you don’t pay it off right away.
Alternatives to student credit cards
Whether you struggle to gain access to credit or don’t want to deal with the disadvantages of using a credit card, there are a number of alternative options out there that can help.
Secured credit cards
If you’re searching for a way to build your credit with a lower barrier to entry, secured credit cards provide a good alternative. The best secured credit cards have much more lenient requirements. Some don’t require you to even have a credit score when you apply
Credit-builder loans
For some, a credit-builder loan is one of the best ways to build credit without a credit card. Since you’ll have to pay off the amount of the loan before you actually get to use the loan amount, you not only build credit but also put money aside in savings. Credit-builder loans are accessible to many people, even those with bad credit. According to a study done by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, this alternative is best for people with limited or no credit history.
Authorized user
When you’re an authorized user on the account of a parent, partner or trusted friend, their credit habits can impact your credit profile. If the primary account holder has a long history of good credit behavior, their credit history can help improve a thin credit file, while their credit limit can help improve your credit utilization. Each of these factors can help boost your credit score.
Checking account
A checking account won’t help you grow your credit score, but how you use it will go a long way to preparing you to manage funds efficiently. And once you’re a pro at handling your own finances, you’ll be ready for a credit card. Your bank may even have its own line of credit products. If so, your loyalty and good financial habits could make it easier to gain access to credit.
How to apply for a student credit card
If you’ve picked out the credit card that best suits your student lifestyle, then the next step is to get it. When you’re ready, here’s how to apply for a student credit card.
Check your credit score. Determining your credit score will let you know which cards you are likely to be approved for.
Go to the issuer’s website and find the card’s application. Once you know what card you like, simply head to the issuer’s website and find the application for that card. You may be able to check if you prequalify for the card before you apply (with no impact to your credit score), which can give you some extra peace of mind about submitting an application.
Fill out the application. Be sure to have all of your application information ready before getting started. Besides your name, address and identifying information, you’ll need to state your income, which can be more than what you earn at a job if you are over 21. This includes a partner’s income or any allowance, as long as you have reasonable access to the funds.
Receive the application decision. Sometimes issuers will send out an instant decision, but it could also take a few days. If your application is denied, the issuer is legally required to send a letter explaining the reason for denial.
Have your budget and repayment plan ready. Responsible credit use starts with a stable budget and a concrete plan to repay what you spend. Make note of your payment due date and your minimum payment amount so you can always pay on time.
Bankrate insight
Want to know which credit cards you may prequalify for and unlock special offers from our partners? Use our CardMatch™ tool to find your personalized matches in 60 seconds or less with no impact on your credit score.
In the news: How to prepare for back-to-school shopping as a college student
Back-to-school shopping isn’t just for parents. Whether it’s your first or last year of college, you’ll have to prepare for the upcoming school year. But your needs go a lot further than notebooks and Sharpies.
As a college student, you’ll face a number of expenses beyond classroom staples like textbooks and a laptop. You may also have to think about dorm life, and that means having to buy bath and bedding supplies, laundry bags, and other essentials. All of this can get pretty expensive, and if your parents aren’t footing the bill, these costs could make it harder to manage your money.
Make sure to map out your finances before you start shopping and take advantage of any opportunities to save money. This includes keeping an eye out for the back-to-school shopping sales and student discounts. Cash back apps like Rakuten and Capital One Shopping can make it easy to shop around and find the best deals. And a student credit card like the Discover it Student Chrome can help thanks to an intro APR offer that gives you a limited time to pay for any big-ticket items without having to deal with interest charges.
How we chose our top picks for student credit cards
Credit cards reviewed by Bankrate receive scores based on a unique 5-star rating system. Our evaluation of best student credit cards focuses closely on specific qualities and benefits including:
Credit requirements
The typical person shopping for a student credit card might not have excellent credit or even much credit history at all. Most of the cards on our list are open to new-credit, fair-credit or limited-credit applicants.
Fees
If you don’t yet have a full-time career, obviously you would be better served by a credit card that goes easy on the fees and charges. Annual fees, foreign transaction fees and other charges make the card more expensive to own, especially if it doesn’t have a rewards program that helps offset those costs.
Rewards
Some of our top student credit cards have rewards programs that earn cash back for gas, groceries and other everyday purchases. Rewards offer a surefire way to get more value from your card.
Additional reviews and research
Need to do more studying before you make a decision? No worries. Choosing the right credit card as a college student is a big deal. Check out these resources from Bankrate.
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
Frequently asked questions about student credit cards
Applying for a credit card as an international student can be an intimidating process. In some cases. card issuers allow students to apply with an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of an SSN.
You must be 21 years old to be a primary cardholder for a credit card, or show proof that you can independently pay your bills or have a willing co-signer if you’re at least 18.
It is not a requirement to be employed to get a credit card, though most issuers will request proof that you will be able to pay your credit card bill.
As a staff writer for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Sarah offers sound advice that will improve your financial life and help simplify topics like travel hacking and credit card rewards.
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at Reviews.com and worked as the loans editor at The Simple Dollar.
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