Credit cards for students offer numerous advantages in addition to providing easy access to cash and credit. They enable you to earn cash back or rewards on your expenditures. They also allow you to start building a good credit history, which will be a real plus later in life when you are looking to take out loans to buy a car or house.
The cash back or reward earnings on college student credit cards vary from 1% to as high as 5% for different types of purchases. To compare credit cards, read through the terms and conditions to determine which card will give you the highest rewards on your most frequent expenditures. Some student credit cards even reward you points for maintaining a good GPA and paying on time.
Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including cash back, plane tickets, concert tickets, gift cards, and in some cases exclusive mtvU Rewards, like VIP passes to Spring Break, Studio Tours, and more. Again, to compare credit card offers, look for the card that offers the rewards that you find most exciting.
Most credit cards for students come with a 0% introductory interest rate for six months. Depending on the card, this rate may apply only to purchases, but in some cases it also applies to balance transfers and cash advances. In short, if you will be using your card for cash advances or balance transfers in addition to purchases, look for a card that offers a 0% introductory rate on these services.
College credit cards offer great advantages if you pay the balance in full every month. It is best, however, to avoid using your card as a supplemental student loan. Once the introductory rate expires, student credit cards charge a fairly high APR, from 12.99% and up.
