Credit Cards for College Students - Finding the Best Available

Summary: This article describes how to compare and select the best credit cards for college students available in the marketplace.

Student credit cards are geared primarily toward college students. But there are many factors that can make credit cards for college students the right choice for young people. So, it is very important for all consumers, not just students, to first learn about each type of available card and then choose the one that is most suitable. Secured credit cards are one type of card for students to consider. These cards are funded in advance of purchases and do not actually extend a line of credit in the form of a loan. Rather, the cardholder sends money to the card ahead of time and uses those funds to make purchases later. In essence, a secured credit card is a bank account that does not earn interest, but can be accessed easily with the swipe of a credit card. Secured credit cards for college students are a popular choice with many students and their parents. One of the reasons for the popularity of these student credit cards is the fact that it is not necessary to have a credit history in order to receive the card. Of course, most college students have not yet had the opportunity to build a credit history. Therefore, a secured credit card is an attractive option. In addition, secured student credit cards typically offer instant approval and do not require employment verification or even a bank account in order to receive a card. Secured credit cards are also popular with parents because they can "load" the credit cards with as much money as they see fit for their college student. Loading a credit card is simply placing money on the card. Parents can generally choose to have money directly added to the card with each paycheck. Or, they can send money through the mail in the form of a money order or cashier's check. There usually are also banks that will accept payments to be added to the credit card. With a secured student credit card, parents can essentially provide their college-going child with an allowance to pay for food, school materials, or any other need the student may have. At the same time, there is no risk of the college student building a huge debt on an unsecured credit card. Once the money is spent, there is no more for the college student to spend. Secured credit cards for college students are a great way for parents to help teach their children to be responsible and independent while still providing a little help along the way. Another benefit to using secured credit cards for college students is that many report to the major credit bureaus. In this way, the college student can begin building credit without the concern of harming his or her credit rating by being unable to pay the debt off. For some college students, secured credit cards are not the most attractive option. One reason is because there tends to be a great number of fees associated with secured credit card. Theses fees include application fees, processing fees, and annual fees. There is generally also a fee associated with loading funds onto the credit card. Thought these fees usually range from $1 to $5, the fees can add up over time. Another reason secured credit cards may not be attractive to a college student is because the student is truly on his or her own and unable to receive financial assistance from the parents. Or, the college student may simply not have the funds available to place on a secured credit card ahead of time. No matter the reason, unsecured student credit cards are also a popular option with credit cards. Credit cards geared toward college students are specifically designed for individuals with little credit history. Often, the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on these cards is higher than average. Therefore, it is best for the college student to pay off the card at the end of each billing cycle whenever possible. As with secured student credit cards, unsecured credit cards for college students go a long way toward building the student's credit history.