Student credit cards come in a variety of forms. But, there are two primary forms in which a student credit card can be found. The first is an unsecured student credit card while the other is a prepaid debit card. Understanding the differences and the pros and cons of each will help you to better determine which is best for you.
The Unsecured Student Credit Card
An unsecured student credit card is like a traditional credit card. With this type of student credit card, the college student (or high school student, as the case may be) receives a line of credit. Typically, student credit cards keep low lines of credit of about $500 to $1,000. This is partly because those applying for student credit cards typically have very little credit history and do not qualify for higher credit limits. The lower limit is also in place in order to help prevent the college student from accruing an insurmountable debt.
Not all credit cards for college students have such a low credit limit. So, if you require a student credit card with a larger limit, you might want to shop around. Similarly, if you want the restriction of a small credit limit in order to keep yourself under control when it comes to spending, be sure to seek a student credit card with a low credit limit.
The Student Prepaid Debit Card
A student prepaid debit card is a card that looks like a credit card and is accepted everywhere a credit card is accepted, but has one major difference: a line of credit is not extended to the cardholder. In order to make purchases with a student prepaid debit card, money needs to be placed on the card first. This money can come from a variety of sources. The student can place the funds on the card him or herself. Or, the student’s parents can choose to add money to the card. In fact, parents can generally set it up so a portion of their checks from work is added to the debit card each pay period.
Pros and Cons of Student Credit Cards
Student credit cards can go a long way in helping to establish a student’s credit history. In addition, a student who does not have money to pay up front can certainly benefit from being able to take out small loans with the credit card in order to make purchases. Another perk is the fact that the student doesn’t have to wait for money to be added to the card before using it. So long as there is credit available on the card, the student can spend as much as he or she wants.
On the other hand, a student credit card increases the chances of creating a poor credit history. If the student accumulates a debt he or she is unable to pay, or if the student is late making monthly payments, it can reflect poorly on the credit reports. In addition, many students are already starting their adult lives in debt as they pay off college loans. Adding more debt from a credit card can be overwhelming and seem impossible to overcome.
Pros and Cons of a Student Prepaid Debit Card
A student prepaid debit card makes it easier for a student’s parents to keep track of college expenses and to monitor the student’s spending. In addition, there is no risk of destroying a credit history that has yet to be created because the student cannot spend more than what is placed on the student prepaid credit card. Many of these cards also report to credit bureaus, which helps in building a positive credit history.
Unfortunately, prepaid credit cards generally have many more fees than credit cards for college students. In fact, there usually are no fees associated with credit cards. Debit cards, on the other hand, often have an application fee and an annual fee. There are also fees added every time more money is placed on the card. All of these fees can easily add up to hundreds of dollars each year. When it comes to choosing which is right for you, it is really necessary to evaluate your own needs and spending habits.
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Help answer the question about credit
How do I close empty credit card accounts?I have recently checked my credit report and I realized I had several credit card accounts which were unused for several years running with a zero balance for some time.
I would like to close them to resolve my accounts and improve my overall credit.
I have to admit that some of the credit companies are quite odd (not cititbank or MBNA) but smaller credit houses from obscure stores I once purchased something to earn the 10% off etc.
How do I go about contacting the credit card companies to close these empty accounts?
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try target, babies r us, khols, robinsons may, any store that you shop at frequently enough. Try to get one with a lower intrest rate though
I would take out no more than 2. I would start out with a secured card. Granted you would have to put a deposit upfront to secure a line of credit, but the deposit would also garner interest while you're proving your creditworthiness. You could start out small, like $200-300 or larger like $1000-2000. Either way, I strongly suggest you to continue to use your debit card and pay cash like you've been doing, and make small purchases that you can pay off in full every month (around $20-50). I would only use the credit card in dire emergencies. After the secured card becomes unsecured, then you could receive offers for other cards, but chances are just the one card could work just as well. Be sure to dispute anything that was involved in the identity theft and make sure that you have a POLICE REPORT. Your "good accounts" (rental, club, cable, cell, etc.) CAN be reported through this reporting agency called PRBC. (http://prbc.com/default.php?) This is for REAL. You can have your good credit reported and complied in a scored report that can be considered with your traditional credit reports. It's become increasingly popular and I'm certain that it will help you out immensely.
my dad said the same thing when I was 17, and he helped me (cosigned) to get a credit card to "establish credit". Now I am 21 and after 4 years of charging crap I'm F*cked. your dad is right you will need to build credit, but I would suggest waiting a little while. Unless you have one of those parents who is going to pay on your card for you just don't bother with it yet. I know you say you will be smarter then me, but I thought the same thing, then your car breaks down and what do you do? or something else comes up where you feel you really need the money, and that's how it all starts. you don't need good credit to rent an apartment. You do if you want to buy a house, you can usually buy a car without credit if you can afford it, but if you don't have any credit they will rape you with interest fees. just wait a couple years, unless you have rich parents.
Do not close the card cause it lower you available credit line. You also can use this service to pre-estimate future scores for different scenarios of credit card payments. – freecreditreport.sinfree.net
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MOSH PIT
Actually most of the companies allow you to apply online instantly. But you have to find the right card that you can apply for. To do this, goto the following site and find the card you want in student section and apply online. This site only has cards that you can apply and get a decision instantly. Good luck!
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Most creditors report to the credit bureaus once a month.
Your talking about your debt to credit ratio which makes up 30% of your overall score.
If your balance is really low and your new credit limit reflects no more then 30% usage, your score will not be affected.
If however your new limit makes your debt to credit ratio over 30% your score will take a hit.
There is nothing wrong with having a high limit as a matter of fact it's good since it makes it hard to exceed 30%.
It's not the credit you have that matters it's how you manage it that counts.
Stop applying for the cards, you will only be denied. You will have to start building your credit rating with secured credit. Make sure the banks report to the credit bureaus, otherwise it does no good.
Go to the bank you do business with, ask them if they have a secured credit card, if they do open a new account with $300 – $500 tell them you want a secured credit card against that account. Use the card for small purchases like gas or food and pay the card off entirely each month on time.
Also you can take your savings account and save until you have $1,000. Tell your banker you want to take a installment loan out against the savings account. Take the money you receive and put it in your checking account to repay the loan. Pay it off in 12 months. Lenders like to see a mixture of credit, revolving, installments, personal loans.
After a few months you can try for an unsecured card again. Retail store cards and gas cards are normally easier to get.
It takes 24 months of consistent on time payments to build a good credit rating.
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Yeah it does, and the 2003 version is way louder. Haha, did I blast that shit.
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Yes, it is true. Having active credit cards on your record is no problem. It shows that card issuers are willing to extend credit. If these cards have no balance on them, you should have no trouble getting a new card. Apply and start using it.
If there are balances on your other cards, it is a different issue. You should pay them off, or transfer them to the card with the lowest interest rate and pay that off as quickly as possible. Then make sure you never have a balance on a card that exceeds about 30 percent of the credit limit.
Paying the monthly charges in full each month is the best policy. It also means not paying any interest.