When it comes to college, most experts tend to steer students away from credit cards. That’s because credit cards, when used improperly, can create a financial nightmare for young adults. Careless spending and little to no income may be a recipe for disaster, but so is graduating college and setting out on your own with no credit history and being unable to get a loan when you need it the most.
Building a solid credit history and credit score is a catch 22. In order to get credit you need to have a good credit history, but if you don’t have a credit history not many people will be willing to lend to you so that you can build that history. Luckily, most cards aimed at students take this into account and you can sometimes qualify with little or no credit history and the initial credit limits are usually low. This is perfect for a college student just starting out. The key is to continue using credit responsibly and maintain that good standing.
So, if you are looking for a credit card geared towards college students, here are some recommendations:
Author: Jeremy Vohwinkle
My name is Jeremy Vohwinkle, and I’ve spent a number of years working in the finance industry providing financial advice to regular investors and those participating in employer-sponsored retirement plans.