Students | Credit Card Topics

14 Things College Students Must Know Before Opening Their First Credit Card

By: Erica Sandberg, 8/24/2023

On your way to college and haven't opened a credit card yet? This is the perfect time. Plenty of student cards are available to people who are enrolled in higher education courses, and who have not yet established a credit history. But before pursuing one of these accounts, you need to go in armed with the following facts. If you don’t, you could end up with expensive debt and bad credit before finishing your first term. Here are 14 things to know that will ensure... read more »

Survey Finds Dads Do More Back-To-School Shopping Than Moms

By: CardRates.com Staff, 7/27/2023

Main Findings: Dads spend more ($300 – $499) than moms ($200 – $299) on back-to-school shopping. Nearly two-thirds of all respondents (62%) will use credit cards, half of whom will use Visa (49%). Nearly 4 in 10 respondents plan to use buy now, pay later (BNPL) options, while 14% will use layaway plans. The top three purchases parents and guardians intend to make include clothing (82%), school supplies (80%), and shoes (77%). More than 9 out of 10 respondents... read more »

7 Best Discover Cards For Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 7/27/2023

College can teach you many things in addition to academic knowledge. A well-rounded collegiate experience can include lessons in critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, communication, and self-reliance. But learning how to select a credit card is notably absent from that list. While you have many choices, Discover credit cards are often at the top of the list for their rewards, cash back, and perks. This credit card review describes the best Discover cards for... read more »

9 Best Student Credit Cards For Bad Credit (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 2/9/2023

It’s unusual for students to arrive for their first college semester with bad credit. Usually, you’d expect them to have limited or no credit experience, which is very different from bad credit. It takes some financial mishandling to drive your credit score into the ditch, such as failing to repay a debt. Nevertheless, this review has rounded up the best student credit cards for bad credit. One of them may be perfect for you if you attend college or trade school at least... read more »

Chase Credit Cards For Students + 8 Alternatives (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 12/8/2022

The undergraduate years are a time of profound learning and not all of it from books. Unless things have changed radically since my school days, I don't think you'll run into a course called Comparative Student Credit Card Physiology or some such. We're here to plug that gap in the education you are about to receive from your chosen university, community college, or trade school. In a couple thousand words, we'll teach you which student credit cards offer the best benefits and... read more »

Discover Student Credit Cards & 5 Alternatives (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 12/5/2022

Starting college is a huge life event, marked by new activities, relationships, freedoms, and responsibilities. The first year is a time for heady exploration as you confront countless choices that will doubtlessly impact your future. Alright, we admit that choosing a student credit card is probably not top of mind as you settle into campus life. But our focus is helping you choose the best credit card for your unique needs and circumstances. As we will explain, the... read more »

8 Best Travel Credit Cards for Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Adam West, 9/14/2022

Undergraduates on the move ought to learn about the best travel credit cards for students. These cards offer rewards that save money when flying off to college, back home for the holidays, around the US for spring break, and to foreign lands for summer vacations and semesters abroad. Student credit cards are helpful even if your travel involves nothing more than a local commute to school. For example, you can cash in your rewards to help pay for everyday expenses on or off... read more »

12 Best Credit Cards For Young Adults (Oct. 2023)

By: Brittney Mayer, 3/14/2022

The best credit cards for young adults can make your financial life a whole lot easier. As a young adult, however, the options for establishing your credit may be limited by your age and inexperience. No one under the age of 18 can be considered for credit on their own. Furthermore, the CARD Act of 2009 prevents young people under the age of 21 from obtaining a personal credit card without proof of income or an adult co-signer with good credit. Even when you do meet the... read more »

5 Best Gas Cards For Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Adam West, 3/10/2022

A student’s life isn’t cheap — but the best gas cards for students can make it far more convenient. Aside from books, lab fees, tuition, and pizza, students need gas to get to class, work, and the occasional night out on the town. And thanks to recent economic trends, the price of gas is rising almost as quickly as the cost of higher education. With the student credit cards below, you can get cash back and other perks for your purchases at the pump or inside your local gas... read more »

3 Steps: How to Choose a Student Credit Card (Oct. 2023)

By: Marcie Geffner, 8/11/2021

College students — and their parents — can easily become overwhelmed with the many choices of good credit cards for students. The question then becomes: Which student credit card is the best? The answer depends, in part, on the student's personal situation and his or her needs and expectations for their card. The "best" student card for one student may not be the best student card for another. Cards are generally targeted to potential customers based on their credit scores,... read more »

4 Best Student Credit Cards With 0% APR (Oct. 2023)

By: Ashley Fricker, 5/5/2021

The best student credit cards with 0% APR deals may not help you ace your exams, but they can help you master your financial life before and after graduation. Along with the cardmember perks associated with student credit cards, the offerings below all come with a promotional period that provides interest-free financing during your first months as a new cardmember. Each card has unique terms for this promotion, but all will help you make a large purchase or possibly pay off... read more »

7 Best Student Credit Cards With No Annual Fee (Oct. 2023)

By: Aaron Crowe, 5/4/2021

The best student credit cards with no annual fee make it easy to open a credit account and help you achieve something that will benefit you for the rest of your life: a good credit score. Opening a card and using it responsibly can lead to a higher credit score, which can lead to lower interest rates on loans for a home or car purchase and a better rate on your next credit card. We look at seven cards designed specifically for the needs -- and credit histories -- of students. Rankings... read more »

4 Best Cash Back Credit Cards For Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 4/28/2021

While not as momentous as selecting which college to attend, your selection among cash back credit cards for students carries some real-world implications. These cards are easy to get and provide a convenient way to build your credit profile. You’ll be grateful you used your card responsibly when you apply later in life for a mortgage or other loans. Card benefits don’t stop there. A good credit history can help you ingratiate yourself with landlords, employers, utility companies,... read more »

5 Best Credit Cards for Paying Tuition (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 2/18/2020

You can pony up your tuition in many ways, including a student loan, a 529 plan, even cash. Credit cards may not immediately spring to mind when mulling over how to pay your tuition, but you might be surprised that, under the right conditions, using credit cards can be a savvy move. In this article, we’ll review the best credit cards for paying tuition, one of which may be the perfect choice to have in your pocket for your appointment with the bursar. 0% Interest | Signup Bonus |... read more »

6 Credit Cards for Students with Fair Credit (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 2/11/2020

Many students have had little interaction with the credit industry. Some have no credit scores at all, while others have fair or poor credit. We’ve reviewed the following nine credit cards for students with fair credit, which offer students a great opportunity to build their credit. No doubt about it, a good credit score will help students down the road, when they look to lease an apartment and apply for a job after graduation. In addition, owning a credit card is an object lesson... read more »

4 Best Credit Cards for Medical Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 1/14/2020

Medical students often have to contend with high student loan debt, little or no income, and a thin credit history. The best credit cards for medical students support their unique needs by offering acceptance despite scant credit history. These cards come with relatively moderate interest rates, no annual fees, and even some rewards. Read on to learn about the five best cards for busy medical students. Overall Student Cards | FAQs Best Overall Card for Medical Students The Discover... read more »

8 Best Credit Cards for Students with No Credit (Oct. 2023)

By: Brittney Mayer, 5/30/2019

Given that few schools offer a comprehensive education in personal finance, it's up to us -- and our families -- to prepare for entering the financial world. This includes learning basic budgeting and money management skills, as well as learning how to build and maintain good credit. While there are ways to help your children build credit before they turn 18, most folks won't have an established credit profile when they get to college. Fortunately, college is an ideal time to start... read more »

7 Best Credit Cards for College Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Brittney Mayer, 2/18/2019

No matter the class, selecting the wrong professor or even the wrong time slot can turn an otherwise enjoyable learning experience into a total academic nightmare. A similar thing can be said of choosing a credit card as a college student. If you pick the wrong card to start your credit journey, you could wind up paying extra fees, missing out on purchase rewards, or burying yourself under a pile of debt that takes months to repay. As with picking a professor, however, a little bit... read more »

Deserve Looks Beyond Credit Scores to Approve Students and Young Professionals, and Bolsters Travel Perks with a New Priority Pass Partnership

By: Ray FitzGerald, 1/18/2019

In a Nutshell: Access to credit can be difficult for the more than 1 million international students enrolled in American colleges each year. Despite many students entering the country with no definable credit statistics, the demand for accessible revolving limits grows every day. Deserve started with an international student-based credit card that used an algorithm instead of the typical credit pull to determine creditworthiness. Following the success of the Deserve Edu card, the... read more »

TFS Scholarships Maintains an Extensive Database to Help Students Access $41 Billion Worth of Funding

By: Matt Walker, 10/26/2018

In a Nutshell: Springing from an idea by a high school principal, TFS Scholarships was developed to connect high school and college students to scholarship opportunities they might otherwise miss out on. Today, the service provides information on more than 7 million individual scholarships and $41 billion in funding. TFS sets itself apart from other similar services by remaining ad-free thanks to its Wells Fargo sponsorship, and promises to never sell user information. The website also... read more »

5 Best Credit Cards for Grad Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/16/2018

A challenge undertaken by only a small percentage of Americans, graduate school can be a great adventure — and a lot of hard work. And, depending on your field, a whole lot of money. In fact, many graduate programs provide little to no financial support for their graduate students. Furthermore, even if you're lucky enough to be provided with a stipend, they're rarely very lucrative (and often come with time-consuming teaching responsibilities). Given that the typical grad student... read more »

9 Best Study Abroad Credit Cards for Students (Oct. 2023)

By: Brittney Mayer, 6/27/2018

Perhaps one of the most exciting opportunities open to college students is the chance to study abroad and immerse yourself in a brand new culture. Of course, as exciting as it may be, living in a foreign place — even temporarily — comes with its own challenges, not the least of which is navigating new currencies and payment methods. Luckily, a good credit card can solve both of those problems. The best travel credit cards can help you make purchases without worries of local... read more »

7 Best Credit Cards for Recent College Graduates (Oct. 2023)

By: Ray FitzGerald, 5/9/2018

Finding the best credit cards for recent college graduates doesn't have to be a thesis-level research endeavor. Sure, there are a lot of cards out there, but we've narrowed the list down to some of our top choices. Graduation is exciting. The cap, the gown, the proud parents gathered 'round. Maybe a fancy dinner or graduation-present trip. Then it's over — and the Real World is at your door. You need to get a job, start paying bills, and do all that "adulting" you've heard so much... read more »

Fidelity Investments Leadership in Technology Speaker Series Prepares NC State Students for Roles as Leaders in Business, Tech & Beyond

By: Ray FitzGerald, 3/8/2018

In a Nutshell: Ken Tate couldn’t have foreseen the strong partnership on the horizon when he helped North Carolina's Department of Commerce recruit Fidelity Investments to the state. Tate, the Director of External Relations for the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University, works closely with the investment firm to coordinate the ongoing Fidelity Investments Leadership in Technology Speaker Series, which the college hosts three times each semester. The series... read more »

How Accepted.com Helps Aspiring Business and Finance Students Gain the Skills Needed for Admission to Top Programs

By: Ray FitzGerald, 2/5/2018

In a Nutshell: Linda Abraham’s time spent obtaining her MBA from UCLA's Graduate School of Management led her to start Accepted.com — but not in the ways you may think. Despite a top-notch business education, Abraham most enjoyed her undergrad work as a writing tutor and helping her fellow students craft résumés and cover letters. Years after graduation, she put those skills to use with Accepted, which consults with around 800 students from around the globe each year to compose... read more »

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