How to Choose the Best Student Credit Card

While you’re busy earning and enjoying your education, remember that in a few short years, you may be renting your first apartment or purchasing a car as you enter the workforce.  Use your Student Credit Card to Establish a clean and consistent credit history before you receive your diploma is a good idea as your credit score can affect your ability to rent, or make major purchases.  Prospective employers will also often take a peek at your credit report, so above all, don’t jeopardize your future with rash use of your student credit card.

Avoid carrying a balance while you have limited income as a student (or ever for that matter).  If you must carry a balance or if you’re facing a necessary large purchase, look for a card with a 0% intro period.

If you are in the healthy habit of paying your balance each month, a rewards credit card can offer attractive benefits.  Most student credit cards with rewards offer bonuses for certain categories of purchases such as gas, textbooks, or entertainment.  The Citi Forward for College Students is one of the best cards for students as it features rewards of 5% on dining, entertainment, and best of all, anything purchased on amazon.com! (esteemed to be a bookstore)

As you embark on your personal credit learning experience keep in mind that you have a lot to lose if you don’t respect your credit.  Remember that with great power comes great responsibility, so don’t miss any payments, keep your balances paid off or at least nice and low, and demonstrate your creditworthiness as a college student.