Are there any high school student credit cards?

You can generally apply for a student credit card online or at a branch. In some cases, you can also apply over the phone, depending on the card. To be eligible for approval, applicants must be at least 18 years old, earn enough income to afford monthly bill payments, and have limited credit or better (just not bad credit). ... read full answer

To fill out a student credit card application, you will need to provide your annual income, your Social Security number (or an applicable alternative for international students). Some other personal information might be required as well, along with information about your school. Note that when you apply for a student credit card, you could receive a decision instantly. But in some cases it could take as long as 10 business days. It usually takes 7-10 business days to receive a card in the mail after approval.

How to Get a Student Credit Card

1. Apply online, over the phone, or in-person. Make sure to have your SSN (or an accepted alternative) and annual income at hand. If you’re under 21, you’ll need to have independent income to get approved for a credit card.
2. Wait for a decision. Sometimes, you’ll get an instant decision. If not, the typical waiting period for credit card applications is 7-10 business days.
3. Watch your mailbox. If you’re denied, the credit card company will send you a letter explaining your denial. If you’re approved, you’ll receive your credit card in the mail 7-10 days after you’re approved.

Student credit card issuers obviously expect applicants to be students, and many require proof. But they all do it a little differently. For example, certain cards ask for your school’s details and your expected graduation date on the application. But there is at least one student credit card, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One, that doesn’t require applicants to be students in its terms and conditions.

Student credit cards are a good way for students without much credit history to build credit. Their rewards can also work in a student’s favor. Some offer statement credits for good grades and perks for paying the bill on time. And you definitely need to pay all the bills on time if you want to be successful after you apply for a student credit card.

A student credit card is a card designed specifically for college students with limited credit history or better in general. Student credit cards are easier to get than the average credit card, and they usually have $0 annual fees, rewards, and minimum credit limits of $300 or so. Some student credit cards offer low introductory APRs, but the regular APR on student credit cards tends to be above average.... read full answer

Students generally have less credit history and less income than professionals and older adults. However, they come with assumed future earning potential. So, credit card companies are more willing to approve a student with no credit history than a non-student newcomer. Student credit cards work just like regular credit cards. They’re just aimed at students.

Notable Student Credit Cards

It’s important to remember that student credit cards are definitely real credit cards. So, make sure to use your student credit card responsibly. The high APRs can be a big extra weight if you carry a balance.

What You Should Know About Student Credit Cards

1. Overview

Student credit cards can help students with fair, limited, or no credit build their credit history. The right student card can also teach responsible credit card habits to people who are new to the game. For example, some give bonus rewards for on-time bill payments and/or good grades.

2. Requirements

You’ll need to be at least 18 years old to apply for a student credit card, just like with any other credit card. If you’re under 21, you’ll need independent income and won’t be able to use shared household income. Money from even a part-time job will help your approval odds.

Plus, you’ll most likely be asked about your school information on the application. Limited or no credit history usually is not an issue with student cards, but if you already have bad credit, you may not get approved. In that case, you may want to aim for a secured credit card, like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.

3. Card perks

Student credit cards tend to offer $0 annual fees and rewards on purchases. These perks aren’t always available on credit cards for people with less-than-good credit. Some student credit cards even offer an initial bonus or a low introductory APR.

4. Reasons to get a student credit card

The main reason why you should get a student credit card is to build credit inexpensively. Most student cards come with no annual fees and accept people with no credit history. Plus, student cards tend to have better rewards and lower APRs than other starter credit cards.

Another good reason to get a credit card as a student is to have some additional security in case of emergency situations.

5. Risks of getting a student card

Missing payments and racking up debt are the biggest concerns when it comes to credit cards 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.

6. How to apply for a student card

You can generally apply for a student credit card online or at a branch. In some cases, you can also apply over the phone, depending on the card.

Keep in mind that you will need to provide your annual income and your Social Security number (or an applicable alternative for international students). Some other personal information might be required as well, along with information about your school.

Alternative Options for Students Under 18 Years Old

If you’re under 18 and you’re interested in getting your first credit card, you can become an authorized user on someone else’s account. This can help you build credit and be well-positioned when you’re old enough to qualify for your own credit card account.

The easiest credit cards for students to get are student credit cards for applicants with limited or no credit history and secured credit cards, which are available to people with no credit or even bad credit. Since college students tend to have higher incomes in the long term, issuers are willing to extend them better offers than most people without established credit could get. Think of it as an investment in a student’s future financial needs, which could prove quite profitable for a bank that gets in on the ground floor.... read full answer

The best student credit cards, including Journey Student Rewards from Capital One and the Capital One SavorOne Student Card, will be easy to get as long as you’re enrolled in school and have at least a small income as well as a credit score that’s anything but bad. In fact, you can get them even if you don’t have a credit score yet (you’ve never had a loan or line of credit before). And if you do have bad credit, a secured card will still be pretty easy to get.

Easiest Student Credit Cards to Get

In general, student credit cards allow young people to begin building credit before entering the real world. If you use your card responsibly and pay your bills on time, you should be able to get a better deal once you graduate. And that’s true whether you’re starting with a student credit card or a secured card.