Student Credit Cards
Jan 15, 2009
Student credit cards are available for students with no credit, fair credit, good credit, and excellent credit – with rates and terms to match the credit ratings. Rates start at 11.99% and go up to 19.8%.
The rewards also vary between cards, and are generally geared toward the interests of the younger generation.
For instance, the
Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select® Visa® Card for College Students offers 5 Thank You Points for every dollar spent at restaurants, bookstores, record stores, movie theaters and video rental stores, while offering 1 Thank You point for all other purchases.
Students earn 250-2000 extra points twice a year for maintaining a good GPA. These points are redeemable for gift cards, MTV events, and airline tickets.
While one card offers points redeemable toward the purchase of a new or used car, others offer airline miles or merchandise.
Cash back student credit cards offer an extra percentage for such expenses as gasoline, groceries, and drug store purchases. Discover offers a choice of cards that give 5% or more cash back on purchases from their on-line store.
For students with no credit or poor credit, Capital One offers a choice between a card with an annual fee of $29 and 16.9% interest, or a card with no fee and 19.8% interest.
Students with no credit or poor credit can also obtain a
secured credit card, which will help them build credit.
As with all financial decisions, the choice of a credit card should not be made lightly. Examine all the choices and decide which offers the most advantages to you before making application.
Be sure to check the rate and term details listed with each card before making your decision. Then, as you make your application, read the more extensive terms to be sure that this is the correct card for you.
Responsible student credit card use will go a long way toward building your credit rating, so be sure to make all payments on time, and try not to use more than 30% of your available credit at any time – even if you pay the balance in full each month.
As your credit rating builds, your credit expenses will go down. Responsible credit card use and on-time bill payments during college years will put you in a good position after graduation. You’ll get lower interest rates on everything from a car to the purchase of your first home.