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Student Credit Cards

Student Credit Cards

Compare credit cards for college students from our partners
A credit card is a rite of passage for college students, but did you know some cards are specifically designed with college students in mind? Choose the right one and you'll get rewarded for the kind of spending others like you tend to make. Use our syllabus below to narrow down your choices.


Compare Student Credit Cards

Disclaimer: The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back and Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by CreditDonkey. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.


Student Benefits

Benefits of a Credit Card for College Students

from a Parent's Point of View

College life is the time for your son or daughter to establish freedom and individuality – and a time to start establishing a good credit profile. College students are a big target for credit card companies. However, with the right attitude and strategy, your student can receive many benefits from a credit card as a new consumer in the spending world.

  1. Establishing Good Credit
    The most important benefit of acquiring a credit card as a student is the chance to firmly establish a credit history. Believe it or not, the first steps taken with a credit card can determine a credit history, good or bad, for possibly decades to come.

    An excellent strategy for your student is for him or her is to make small purchases and pay them off immediately, usually within a month. First, small purchases keep the available credit higher, and that’s a positive mark on a credit report. Second, making frequent payments to keep the balance at zero or just above zero shows that your student “pays as agreed” on his or her report.

  2. Low Interest and No Annual Fee
    Many credit card companies that offer deals with a zero percent introductory offer and zero annual fees. These benefits can help your student start smart by not being saddle with excess costs when using his or her first credit card.

  3. Budgeting and Financial Management
    Credit cards come with new responsibilities but they also offer good financial practice. Once they have a credit card, students must learn to budget and prudently manage their finances. Help your student set up a spending guideline that can be met each month. The figure takes into account what type of expenses should be charged, how much money should be used toward credit card debt, if applicable, and, regardless of the credit limit, the most they should charge on the card each month in your view.

  4. Low Initial Credit Limit
    Often, credit cards for college student will come with a low limit, which helps prevent overspending and overcharging.

  5. Financial Buffer
    Students often run out of money. Having a credit card for the first time can be a financial “buffer” for when they need a tank of gas to get home or a sack of groceries after they have spent their monthly budget.

  6. Convenience
    Convenience is another benefit of credit cards. Charging gas, textbooks, or even groceries keeps students from having to carry cash all the time. However, be sure to help your student keep careful track of all receipts so he or she does not overspend.


Articles for College Students

Earnest Student Loan Review: Pros and Cons

Earnest

Earnest offers low student loan refinance rates and customizes payments based on your budget. But approval may be harder. Read on for the pros and cons.
SoFi Review: Student Loan Refinance Worth It?

SoFi Student Loan Reviews

Is student loan refinancing a good idea? Is SoFi legit? Is NOW a good time to refinance? Read on. The answers may surprise you.

Money Saving Tips for a Road Trip

We've found the secret to saving money on road trips: A big dose of planning. Okay, that might not be much of a secret, but everything from those junk food indulgences to the stomach-churning cash spent at the pump can be managed -- and often ...
Best Student Checking Accounts

Best Bank for College Students

A student checking account allows you to manage your money with fewer fees and requirements. Find the best student checking accounts offered by the top banks.

Discover it Student Card Review

College students looking to build credit, earn cash back, and pay no annual fee should consider the Discover It Student Cash Back. With the combined generous rewards program, intro APR on new purchases and no late fee on the first late payment, ...
Average IQ by Country

Average IQ by Country

The United States ranks 24th in the world in IQ scores. Which country is the smartest? And what do IQ tests actually measure? Keep reading to learn more.
Negative Effects of Homework

Negative Effects of Homework

Experts say that students should have no more than 10 minutes of homework per grade, starting in the 1st grade. Many students have much more homework than this, though, and it could be detrimental.
Benefits of Reading

Benefits of Reading

Reading makes you smarter, more confident, and better able to hold a conversation. Do you read enough to earn these benefits?
How Much Does it Cost to Go to Harvard

How Much Does it Cost to Go to Harvard

It can cost as much as $270,000 to attend Harvard for a four-year degree. However, Harvard gives out a lot of financial aid based on student needs.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by Discover. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Discover.

Disclaimer: The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by CreditDonkey. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

About CreditDonkey
CreditDonkey is a credit card comparison website. We publish data-driven analysis to help you save money & make savvy decisions.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

†Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditDonkey receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CreditDonkey does not include all companies or all offers that may be available in the marketplace.

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CreditDonkey does not know your individual circumstances and provides information for general educational purposes only. CreditDonkey is not a substitute for, and should not be used as, professional legal, credit or financial advice. You should consult your own professional advisors for such advice.

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