What is a student credit card?

Yes. You have to be a student to get a student credit card most of the time. Most student credit cards require applicants to provide the name of their school, their expected graduation date, or some other proof of enrollment.

The terms and conditions for some student credit cards also state that the card is specifically for currently-enrolled students. It’s illegal to lie on a credit card application, so applicants are legally compelled to be honest about their college enrollment status.… read full answer

Even if a student credit card application doesn’t ask you about your enrollment status, student cards are meant for students. If you don’t qualify as a currently-enrolled student, there are plenty of alternatives for people just starting to build their credit. You can get a secured credit card or a starter credit card, for example, without needing to be a student.

Yes, it is a good idea for college students to have a credit card because it is the best way to begin building credit history. Simply owning a credit card account and keeping it in good standing can allow a student to go from having no credit at the start of college to fair credit or even good credit by graduation.… read full answer

In other words, responsible credit card use will give students a leg up when they enter the real world. Without a strong credit profile, students may have a difficult time renting an apartment, getting a car loan, finding cheap car insurance, and even landing a job.

At the very least, college students should have a credit card as an authorized user on a parent’s account. You can build credit as an authorized user while the primary cardholder is responsible for making payments. The primary cardholder can also monitor the account. If there’s any sign of reckless card use, they can remove the authorized user at any time.

Why Some People Think Students Should Not Have Credit Cards

Missing payments and racking up debt are the biggest reasons people say not to get a credit card as a college student. But there are easy ways to minimize the risk while still reaping all the benefits. For example, you’ll be less likely to miss any due dates if you set up automatic payments from a bank account. You could also pay any annual fee the card may have and then lock the card away somewhere safe – to resist the temptation to overspend. You’ll still build credit that way.

Furthermore, it’s just a myth that college students can’t get credit cards. To qualify, you have to be at least 18 years old and demonstrate the ability to afford monthly bill payments. More specifically, anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 must prove their ability to independently pay back debt before they can own a credit card, per the Credit CARD Act of 2009. Or, an applicant may have a co-signer who is at least 21 years old. The cosigner would be financially liable for the account. Most credit card companies don’t allow co-signers anymore, though.

Final Thoughts

If you wait until after college to get a credit card, you could be costing yourself when it comes it annual fees and rewards. Credit cards for college students tend to be a lot more attractive than other credit cards for people with limited or no credit.

Best Credit Cards for College Students to Have