Can students under 18 get a credit card?

Yes, you can get a credit card at 17 as an authorized user on someone else’s account. But you have to be at least 18 years old to open a credit card account in your own name. And when you turn 18, you’ll need to show that you have your own independent income to qualify. In the meantime, you can begin to … read full answerbuild credit as an authorized user, and you can always use a debit card for everyday purchases.

Alternatives to getting a credit card if you’re 17:

• Become an authorized user: If someone makes you an authorized user on their card, the account will be added to your credit report. And if the main accountholder pays the monthly bills on time, your credit score will improve. The main accountholder may or may not decide to give you a card that you can use to charge purchases to the account. But you won’t be responsible for making payments either way.
• Get a debit card: Most banks will give you a debit card connected to your checking account. You’ll be spending your own cash, not borrowing money. So, you don’t need to be 18 to get one. Different banks have different rules, but most require you to be 13 or 14 years old. You won’t build credit with a debit card, but having one can make life more convenient until you turn 18.

So, keep in mind that you can’t get a credit card at 17, at least not one of your own. But if you find someone to back you, then you can start building credit right away. And in just a year, you’ll be eligible for student credit cards, secured credit cards, and other options for people new to credit.

No, you can’t get your own credit card account at 16 because the law prohibits issuers from offering credit cards to anyone under 18 years old. The only way to get access to a credit card at 16 years old is if a friend or family member makes you an … read full answerauthorized user on their account. You won’t be responsible for bill payments as an authorized user, but you will build credit as long as the primary cardholder pays on time.

Alternatives to Getting a Credit Card at 16

• Become an authorized user: There’s generally no minimum age requirement for authorized users. You may get your own card that’s connected to the cardholder’s account, and any purchases you make will show up on your credit card statement.
  
  The primary cardholder is the one responsible for paying. This is a great way to build credit. However, you won’t build it as quickly as you would with your own card.

• Cards to consider: You can get your own credit card account when you’re 18, as long as you have enough independent income for monthly bill payments. You should get a student credit card if you go to college, as they tend to have much better terms than other starter credit cards. A secured credit card is a good backup plan, too.
• Get a debit card: This won’t help you build credit, and you won’t be able to borrow money. But a debit card linked to your checking account will free you from having to carry cash all the time.

You can get a credit card at 16. You just can’t get an account in your own name. But if someone is willing to add you as an authorized user, you can start learning about, using, and building credit. And in a couple years, you’ll be able to get your first card.

A 16 year old can build credit by becoming an authorized user on an adult’s credit card account. You cannot get your own credit card account until you turn 18 and you’re able to demonstrate enough independent income to make monthly bill payments. But being an authorized user will help you … read full answerbuild credit in the meantime, as long as the primary accountholder pay the bills by the due date.

How to Build Credit as an Authorized User

When you become an authorized user on someone else’s account, you receive a card connected to that person’s account and are able to make purchases drawing on their credit limit.

The account holder is responsible for making payments, but the account information will appear on your credit report, too. Being an authorized user won’t help you build credit as quickly as with your own card, but it’s certainly worthwhile.