Student Credit Cards

A student credit card is designed for high school and college students and usually works the same way as any credit card that has been issued by a financial institution. In general a student credit card merely has a few more restrictions relative to non-student cards.

College students are leaving their higher education institutions with more educational loan debt than ever before. From academic year 1994- 1995 to 1999-2000, the amount postsecondary education students borrowed through the federal student loan programs jumped from $24 billion to $33.7 billion. What has led to the increased use of student loans? Is the rising indebtedness harming students' futures? 

REASONS WHY BORROWING INCREASED

There is no question that postsecondary education costs grew rapidly during the 1990s. The College Board's most recent Trends in College Prices report shows that, when adjusted for inflation, tuition and fee charges at four-year public colleges and universities increased 49 percent during the decade; at four-year private institutions, tuition prices rose 32 percent. Meanwhile, median income for families with a head of household age 45 to 54 grew by just 4 percent, and appropriations for Federal Pell Grants increased only 15 percent. 

When you are a student a credit score is a fairly abstract concept. All you want is access to funds to pay for the things you want and need like clothes, food, rent, books and tuition. Student credit cards can be a great tool for being able to acquire the needs and desires that confront all college students but like all tools they need to be handled carefully. But it is ultimately your credit score that will determine how you will lead your future financial life and vice versa.

Once you get the ball rolling all it takes is to use credit as a tool to acquire the things you need in life while consistently paying back what you owe, always on time with at least the minimum payment amount. A history of late payments will take your credit rating south in a hurry so be diligent and don't wait until the last minute. And don't let your outstanding balances pile up – apply the same discipline you have as a student to keeping your burgeoning financial life in balance.

Bank of America Student Visa® Platinum Plus®
	Build your credit history No cosigner required * No Annual Fee Online Banking Service Total Security Protection® Card issued by FIA Card Services, NA.

Discover® Open RoadSM Card for Students
	$0 Fraud Liability Guarantee* Advanced fraud early warning alerts Secure online account numbers Fraud specialists dedicated to helping you 24/7

Discover® Student Clear Card
	Build your credit history* 0% Interest* on Purchases for 6 Months No minimum income or cosigner required No Annual Fee Easy Online Account Management tools

Discover® Student Monogram Collection
	$0 Fraud Liability Guarantee* Advanced fraud early warning alerts Secure online account numbers Fraud specialists dedicated to helping you 24/7

Discover® Student Card
	$0 Fraud Liability Guarantee* Advanced fraud early warning alerts Secure online account numbers Fraud specialists dedicated to helping you 24/7

Discover® Student Tropical Beach Card
	$0 Fraud Liability Guarantee* Advanced fraud early warning alerts Secure online account numbers Fraud specialists dedicated to helping you 24/7

financialaid.com
	Easy 10 Minute Process with Online E-signature Get a fixed interest rate as low as 5.375% Combine your loans into one easy payment Reduce monthly payments by up to 54%