Student Credit Card - Manage and Build Credit

Manage and Build Credit Cards

The use of credit cards by students is at an all time high, and each year more and more students and young people are signing up to use credit cards. The alarming increase in these numbers has generated a lot of concern from various sources about the easy availability of credit cards and the potential pitfalls of irresponsible credit card use. But there is significant benefit that student credit cards can offer, including the opportunity for young cardholders to learn how to manage and build credit.

An alarming percentage of students and young people are already more than $10,000 in credit card debt and to complicate things even further, many of these students have yet to start earning a stable income. Financial responsibility is something that has to be taught at home, but most parents do not have the time nor the patience required to adequately guide their children about the vagaries and responsibilities of using and managing credit wisely. 

The cornerstone of proper personal financial planning is living well within your means. But peer pressure plays a major role in a student's life and, for young people in particular, it is extremely difficult to ignore the latest trends. Easy access to student credit cards is part of the problem for students trying to establish and build credit, and it has become very difficult to avoid credit card offers that allow students to complete a "brief" application form and obtain a credit card in such a short amount of time.  

But wise use of these credit cards can help those students who might otherwise struggle to pay their college fees and meet their day to day expenses as well as those who are just looking to get an early start on building their credit. Credit card issuers have recognized the market opportunity and have been offering increasingly competitive student credit card offers everyday. 

Another distinct advantage of having a student credit card is that it helps in starting the process of building a good credit history. Starting to build credit early will go a long way for young people trying to establish a financial track record prior to that first car or first home purchase. 

A highly recommended alternative of an unsecured student credit card is a debit or prepaid card with a credit limit. Money for purchases made on this card is just deducted from existing funds deposited in the student's account and when the spending reaches the limit, the student simply is not allowed to make any more purchases.

Before you decide to get a student credit card, you should pay special attention to any fees, exclusions and restrictions that might limit the use of the card.  Also, lookout for the rewards they are offering and then compare the overall costs that you have to bear. Also, don't forget to check for balance transfer transaction fees, blackout dates on rewards offers or for any restrictions or limitations which will fall under the terms and conditions.

Student Credit Card - How To Choose The Right One

How To Choose The Right Credit Cards

Getting a student credit card is not hard to do. The problem comes in how it is used. Your student should not be carrying large sums of cash each month to get through the month. It could easily be lost or stolen. I had a friend that was considered a genius.  While we were at school he couldn't remember from one day to the next what he had done the previous day, or where he put anything, including his money. Another friend constantly ran out of money by the middle of the month and was either borrowing form other students or on the phone crying to his father about needing more. Not to say I was a saint, but that is another story.

A student credit card may be the first line of credit your child has. It will depend on the child if they understand the responsibilities of having one. Student credit cards can come with a monthly limit or with no limit at all except for the bank limit. You have a choice in that matter, because usually the student will need a co-signer for that card.

In a credit based family a child may have signature loans by the time they are twelve. My uncle was one of those people. They used a well known institution for signature loans and he would take out six month to one year loans for music equipment that he was easily able to pay back in half the time. By the time he was sixteen his credit rating soared and to this day he has no problems with getting what he wants when he wants it.

Most of us are not that lucky however, and some students just are not driven by desire. A student credit card should not be a gift and should not be considered a gift by the parents. The students themselves should be mentally-aware of how to handle finances. If your child is one of those that still has a quarter when you give them the second one a week later, then chances are they can handle a credit card. If it was lost or spent, you may need to start worrying. 

For the sake of the article we will assume that, while yet unproven, there is no indication that your student will use the credit card for junk. First sit down with the student and decide what the credit card will be used for. Keep in mind that a cola and pizza a day adds up to over $4475 plus tips, in credit over a year! The sum does not take into consideration other meals and snacks. A single candy bar at a school could easily add up to $365 dollars in credit over a year, if they only ate one a day. Try to remember your eating habits when you were a student.

Dormitory, apartment rent, books and tuition should be paid by check. If there is a car involved it should also be paid for by check, unless you and your student are familiar with online banking and the great benefits a good system offers.

If you are giving support to your student you can setup an auto withdrawal from your bank account each month to payoff the student credit card payments. The credit card can be great for just about anything but it, just like everything else, needs to be in moderation, and I mean moderation within your budget, not necessarily the students budget.

After you have decided on what the credit card will be used for go online and start searching.  Make sure you pay attention to the all of the details of the card, and all of its terms and conditions. Above all, make sure there is an automatic bill payment feature so the card is never paid late.

Student Credit Card - Choosing Your First Card

Choosing Your First Card

Every young student going off to college wants the liberty of having their own credit card. What a great privilege it is, and sometimes, it could even be a great gift idea for a student, too. If you are in the process of choosing your first student credit card, or helping that special student of yours get their own card, before you start looking, some things should be considered - both about the young person, and about the types of cards available. 

A Word About You

If you are a young person looking to get your very first credit card, then listen for a moment to a couple of things. A credit card can be a blessing or a curse -- all depending on how you use it - and on who is footing the bill. Regardless of what you do with that credit card, the world is watching, and if you overcharge it, make late payments on it, or whatever, it will go toward your credit rating and affect it for years to come. When you get ready to buy that car, or those electronics, or clothes, it can affect that, too. Learn the proper use of finances and how to best use a card. The Internet would be a good place to pick up on this information if you do not already know it. Just by typing in the words "student credit card" you will find many Webs sites that can instruct you on how to best use it. 

A Word About The Cards

Here are some things to look for when you want to get that special student credit card.

· The APR 

This is the amount of interest that will be added to your student credit cards each month, and it will vary with each card. The best is 0% APR. Unless you have a good job and an excellent credit history already established, it might be difficult to get this kind of card. You need to note just how long of a time this introductory rate applies to the particular college student credit card. For most, it is about a year, but with some it is only good for three months. After that time frame, there is a standard interest level.

· The Cash Back Rewards

Many credit cards will now give some sort of incentive to get their card. Usually, it is somewhere between a 1 and 5% return on a specific type of purchase. Often there is one level of rebate given on groceries, medicines, and gas, and a different percentage on general purchases, and then another percentage given if you shop at certain stores. These student credit cards work out great for gas purchases, and other things. Some cards will give you air miles for your purchases, and that could be a good way to save money for flying home during the summer, or holidays. The benefit, however, pretty much ends if your payments are late, or if the card is not paid in full each month. These cards normally charge a little higher percentage in interest, and the benefits may not outweigh the losses.

· The Annual Fee

Most cards do not carry an annual fee, but enough of them do to make a note of it here. This fee can vary anywhere between $15 and go up to $135 per year. Some college student credit cards may waive this fee for the first year, but charge it later.  

Student credit cards are a great idea in that they also can prevent you from needing to have a lot of cash in the dorm. It gives you an added safety feature - and a good record of your purchases, too, so you can see where the money is going.

Student Credit Card – Good Idea

Student Credit Card – Good Idea

Applying for your first credit card can be a fun and exciting time. This is the first step to adulthood. When you think of the word, “credit card”, you probably instantly think of trouble. This is because most Americans today don’t know how to manage their money properly putting them in severe debt.

A Student Credit Card is a good idea depending on the user and how you use it. If you’re able to manage your money and stay clear of debt, you’re going to be on the right path. If you don’t think you’re going to have the responsibility and you think you’ll get into debt quick, steer clear of credit cards for a while. It would probably be best until you get a stable job before thinking of applying.

Credit cards are a great way to put your money on hold. If you say, get paid every other week and you won’t have access to your spending cash for a few weeks, this is where a credit card comes in handy. Once your bill comes in the mail, you will have access to your cash by then and will then be able to pay off the bill in full. It’s important that you pay off this bill in full because interest rates apply for every dollar you don’t pay off!

One of the nicest things about carrying around your new credit card is that you don’t have to worry about fraud or theft. You are only responsible for the first fifty dollars. This is great if you like to spend money online. Even though you should still worry about security, it’s important that you check your credit report at least once a year to avoid credit fraud. The government has made it so that you can check your report absolutely free once a year.

Credit cards are a great item to carry around if you know how to use it. The key is to spend what you can afford. You can’t treat this credit card as if it’s free money because believe me; the card can rack up quick. If you make a few small purchase that are around twenty dollars, five of those add up to a quick hundred bucks. Do you see where this is going? It’s important that you create an online account via your credit card companies website. Every week or so you should log in and check out your transactions. You’ll have to make sure you’ll be able to pay off these bills in full at the end of each month.

Credit cards overall are a great idea. It’s a lot safer than carrying cash and it’s a lot more traceable. If you think about it, every time you spend a dollar in cash, you tend to forget down the road on where you spent that money. With a credit card, like mentioned above, you’ll be able to track every penny and see where all of your money has been going. This is a great tool if you want to track your budget.

If you don’t like the idea of carrying around cash and you love to shop around not having to worry about your money being lost or stolen, a student credit card is a great idea for you. It has so many advantages and if you’re responsible enough, it can go a long ways!

The Student Credit Card

The Student Credit Card

There is a ton of extra literature the high school senior receives in the mail during their twelfth grade year. There are special scholarship offers, student financing, and special college programs, not to mention the number of invitations from Uncle Sam to come join the Navy, Marines, and Army. Having just been through this, I can add to that, at least fifty offers for a student credit card.

Now, no offense to these hard working people and their advertising campaigns, not to mention the U.S. Postal Service who delivered these documents; but, the majority of these offers ended up in the round file, aka as the trash, unopened. There is just too much, too fast, and you're busy with other things, like just getting through those last few months of school.

As a parent of a recent college graduate and another one coming up, I realize it is important that the college student have a credit card. Now that all of the excitement of final exams and graduation is over, it's time to start looking forward to the next step. With the new college year just around the corner, it's time to look at and compare those college student credit cards offers.

That is what is so great about the internet. You can enter college student credit card into any search engine and come up with a number of sites that give you a choice right here online. You don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home. You can shop right here and even sign up and order your card any time day or night. No need to take a trip to the post office to mail your application, you just press enter.

When applying for a student credit card, there are a few things you need to keep in mind and consider.

-First, talk to your student about the responsibility that comes with having a credit card.

-Student credit card interest rates are a little higher because they usually have no previous credit history.

-Student credit cards have lower credit limits, normally $500 to $1,000.

-Caution your student about having more than one credit card.

-To avoid running up too much debt, the credit card should be used just for necessities.

-Try to pay the entire credit card balance each month.

-Explain to your student that if they fall behind in payments, the credit card issuer will increase their interest rate.

-Used properly, a student credit card can build up good credit, which is a valuable tool in today's world, along with that college degree.

Most college students obtain their first credit card either before they enter college or during their freshman year. Student credit cards can be a good thing, when used responsibly. Your student has used his time wisely thus far, enabling him to be admitted into college. Now it's up to them to earn a good credit rating, by following the rules of the credit card issuer. This is called education by experience.