Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
We consider the best credit cards for students ones that offer tools or features to help you build your credit and build good financial habits. Some may even offer rewards, perks or other incentives.
You may want to look for a credit card that combines a competitive rewards program with services and features that can offer security and value as well as information about your credit score. A card that has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees is another plus. Some cards may offer a feature if you lose your card that essentially turns off your card, until you find it again, so that no new purchases, cash advances and balance transfer transactions will be approved while the card is frozen.
Another perk to look for is if you can set up payment alerts and reminders, which if utilized properly by you, can help you so you don’t miss a payment. Additionally, you may be interested in looking for a credit card that offers visibility to your credit score.
Student credit cards 101
You’re planning to apply for a credit card, but do you really know how to use one wisely? Here are the basics which may help you to set yourself up to be a responsible cardholder.
How do credit cards work?
Credit cards are a loan, in a manner of speaking, not a source of income. If you don’t have cash on hand at the moment, swiping your card for your purchases is a way of borrowing money from the issuer until the time comes to pay the bill. As long as you pay the balance for your purchases in full and on time every month, for most credit cards you’re effectively getting an interest-free loan. Be careful and read the fine print there are some credit card issuers who may charge you interest on new purchases commencing from the transaction date.
You also have the option to pay a smaller amount (minimum due) if you can’t afford to pay back what you spent during the month. If this happens, the credit card company will charge interest on the remaining balance, meaning you could end up paying a lot more over time if you continue to carry a balance. This is one way that people find themselves accruing credit card debt.
Besides helping you stay out of debt, paying your balance promptly is a way to build credit. Credit card issuer’s use your credit score as one way to assess how responsible you are with credit. Paying on time and spending within your means helps show you’re trustworthy with other peoples’ money. Reckless behavior with a credit card can lead to less favorable rates (or application denial) on other credit card or loans in the future. Also, new rules in the mortgage industry require lenders to look at whether you pay down your debt or just make minimum payments, carrying old debt with you from month to month. You could risk your chance of getting approved for a mortgage if you don’t make headway on your balances.
Rewards programs incentivize people to choose one card over another. If you don’t incur interest or fees on your transactions or have an annual fee to pay, a cash back program can actually “pay” you back a small amount for purchases made with your credit card.
Keep in mind secured credit cards are a bit different in that you are required to put down a deposit which is used for collateral in the event you’re unable to pay your credit card balance. The card issuer will determine your credit limit, usually equal to the amount of your deposit. If you demonstrate responsible credit management you may qualify for an unsecured credit card (a credit card that does not require a deposit).
When you need a parent to co-sign
The CARD Act of 2009 requires students under 21 years old to provide proof of income or have a parent or guardian co-sign in order to acquire a credit card. If you’re taking the second option, you’ve got a couple of potential advantages. However be sure to check with the credit card issuer as to their policy around co-applicants and co-signing as not all credit card issuers allow or accept co-applicants and co-signing.
- A responsible parent can help teach you smart credit habits.
- A co-signer with good credit can help you qualify for a card with a stronger rewards program than you could get on your own.
Co-signing risks for parents
The downside to co-signing is that it is risky for the co-signer (in this case, your parent or guardian). Issues to consider include:
- If the student is late on payments, the co-signer’s credit will be negatively impacted.
- If the student defaults, the co-signer is legally responsible for the entire debt.
- The co-signed account will show up on the co-signer’s credit report and affect that person’s utilization ratio.
- Lenders will take debt on the co-signed card into account when considering either of you for a loan.
- If the student defaults on the payment, the co-signing parent is legally on the hook for the balance.
- Co-signing is not an easily reversible decision.
- Irresponsible card use can be a point of stress in the relationship between students and parents.
If you go this route, make your expectations for the account use clear. Keep communication lines open to head off mistakes before they become a major problem for both of you. And as we mentioned before be sure to check with the credit card issuer as to their policy around co-applicants and co-signing, as not all card issuers accept co-applicants or co-signing.
How can students use a credit card the right way?
Establishing good credit habits as early as possible can benefit you for years to come. Financial institutions review your credit to decide whether to offer you a loan, and on what terms. Over time, responsible behavior shows banks and other lenders that you can be trusted.
- Spend based on your income, not your credit limit. Treating your credit limit like a second bank account is an easy way to get into financial trouble. Make your purchase decisions based on your paycheck – your available income, your budget.
- Keep utilization low. The rule of thumb is 30%, but that’s not to say that 29% guarantees you a good credit score or that 33% spells doom. It just tends to make you look more financially stable if you use less loaned money on a regular basis than if you’re constantly close to maxing out your account. The lower your balance, the better.
- Use your card regularly. You need to demonstrate the ability to use credit responsibly, and you can only do that by making purchases and paying them off. Charge a small amount each month and pay the bill in full and on time.
- Pay on time every month. Almost a third of your credit score is based on payment history. Meeting deadlines is crucial.
- Pay the full amount due. When you pay interest, you increase the cost of everything you buy on the card.
- At least pay more than the minimum. Sometimes, it’s not possible to pay the whole balance at once. Making just the minimum payment means you’ll pay maximum interest over time, so send in as much as you can. Tweak your budget so you don’t have to make the same mistake again.
- Use rewards, but don’t let them lead you astray. You wouldn’t be tempted to buy something you didn’t need in a store just because you saw it was marked down by 1%. Treat cash back rewards the same way. It’s a nice perk that can add up over time, but it’s not worth spending more than you otherwise would.
Using a Credit Card to Save for College
Once cash back rewards start growing, you might decide to apply them toward college. Why not? College is expensive, and every bit helps. There are a few cards out there that will automatically funnel cash back rewards into a 529 plan. Of course, you can also redeem cash back from any credit card account that offers it and deposit the funds in a college savings plan. The big trap to watch out for is overspending to try to earn rewards for a college fund or to earn rewards in general.
A great option is to earmark cash back rewards for a college expense, like textbooks. Depending on the rewards program and your spending habits, annual rewards could cover a decent chunk of your class materials. As always, pay on time and avoid carrying a balance. That’s the best way to keep interest and other fees from wiping out any gain you’ve accrued from a rewards program.
Final notes
Getting a credit card can be very exciting, especially if it’s your first. Take your time and find out as much as possible about the card or cards you’re interested in before you apply, make sure it’s a fit for you, and that you know what you’re getting into (as far as interest rate, fees, rewards, etc.) as opening a credit card is an important financial decision. Keep in mind a credit card can offer you tools to assist you in maintaining your account but ultimately it’s up to you practice responsible credit card management. And as we mentioned before, pay on time and avoid carrying a balance, to help build positive credit history and to keep interest and other fees from wiping out any gain you’ve accrued if you have a credit card with a rewards program.
Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Credit Sesame receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Credit Sesame provides a variety of offers, but these offers do not include all financial services companies or all products available.
Credit Sesame is an independent comparison service provider. Reasonable efforts have been made to maintain accurate information throughout our website, mobile apps, and communication methods; however, all information is presented without warranty or guarantee. All images and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Editorial Content Disclosure: The editorial content on this page (including, but not limited to, Pros and Cons) is not provided by any credit card issuer. Any opinions, analysis, reviews, or recommendations expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer.
Provider’s Terms: *See the online provider’s application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts have been made to maintain accurate information, however, all information is presented without warranty or guarantee. When you click on the “Apply Now” button, you can review the terms and conditions on the provider’s website. Offers are subject to change and the terms displayed may not be available to all consumers.
The information, including rates and fees, presented in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date of the article. Please refer to issuer website and application for the most current information. Verify all terms and conditions of any offer prior to applying.
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Reviews: User reviews and responses are not provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the banks, issuers and credit card advertisers. It is not the banks, issuers, and credit card advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts are answered. The Credit Sesame website star ratings are an average based on contributions from independent users not affiliated with Credit Sesame. Banks, issuers and credit card advertisers are not responsible for star ratings, nor do they endorse or guarantee any posted comments or reviews.
Disclaimer: The article and information provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
