Credit Card for college students

[westjones]

I had my DD19 apply for a Disney Visa, but she was turned down (no credit history...which is why we want her to get a card to start building credit history).

So since college students can't get Disney Visas, what is a good card for them to get as a first credit card?

I don't want her to use it much, just once in a while and pay it off each month. But that way when it is time to buy a car she will have some credit history.

 

[ohiomom28]

Go to Capital One's website and you can do a pre-qualification to see what/if she qualifies for. My 1st credit card was either Sears or Best Buy.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using DISBoards

 

[TinkerBelled]

I had my DD19 apply for a Disney Visa, but she was turned down (no credit history...which is why we want her to get a card to start building credit history).

So since college students can't get Disney Visas, what is a good card for them to get as a first credit card?

I don't want her to use it much, just once in a while and pay it off each month. But that way when it is time to buy a car she will have some credit history.

I got my first card through my bank, explicitly as a Student Credit Card. It had an $800 limit, so there wasn't much I could do to make things really bad for myself, and it allowed me to build my credit.

 

[Janepod]

I got my first card through my bank, explicitly as a Student Credit Card. It had an $800 limit, so there wasn't much I could do to make things really bad for myself, and it allowed me to build my credit.

I did that too.

Are you USAA members? I think they are good at granting low-balance cards to family members.

 

[CupcakeKelly]

My first credit card was a Discover card. I remember that being the only one that I could get at the time.

 

[scrapquitler]

I got my first card through my bank, explicitly as a Student Credit Card. It had an $800 limit, so there wasn't much I could do to make things really bad for myself, and it allowed me to build my credit.

That's what I did, too. Of course it was back in the 80s when the credit card companies were falling all over each other trying to sign up college students.

Maybe you can get a card for her with yourself as a co-owner of the account. Get it set up with a reallly low limit ($500 or so) and have her use it for something every month and pay it off each month. After a while, get yourself taken off the card. I would start with a local bank where she and you have accounts(not one of the big mega giant banks) - open a small savings or checking account if you dont' already have one there if necessary.

 

[westjones]

OK thanks! I will check on those. And I only want her to have a low limit also....just to get started. I am shocked Disney Visa wouldn't give her one with a low limit. I even called and explained she was just wanting something with like a $500 limit just to get started, and she lives at home and both my husband and I have Disney Visas in good standing. All they could offer was to give her a card with OUR number to use, but that doesn't help her get credit.

But Disney Visa just lost a customer they could have had for life. Doesn't make sense.

 

[westjones]

I don't want my name on it because I want her to establish credit.

I know there are companies who do give College Students card. We just wanted to 'keep it in the family' and get her a Disney Visa. I mean, who doesn't want a credit card with Mickey Mouse on it!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't want my name on it because I want her to establish credit.

I know there are companies who do give College Students card. We just wanted to 'keep it in the family' and get her a Disney Visa. I mean, who doesn't want a credit card with Mickey Mouse on it!

She will still establish credit with your name on it. I was added to my mom's card at 16 and that established my credit for when I was 18.

 

[Arielle22]

She will still establish credit with your name on it. I was added to my mom's card at 16 and that established my credit for when I was 18.

I agree. DD19 has an AMEX on our account. She can view her purchases online and it shows on her credit report.

 

[westjones]

OK, well I will keep that in mind. I see that Capital One has a student card, I may have her apply for that and see what happens. If she gets turned down again, I will look into getting a joint card with her.

 

[firecracker725]

OK, well I will keep that in mind. I see that Capital One has a student card, I may have her apply for that and see what happens. If she gets turned down again, I will look into getting a joint card with her.

The best way to get a card is to go talk to your bank or credit union. That's how I got my first card.

 

[BrownEyedGrl]

I got a student Discover card and I remember the limit being very low which was good. I still have it today. They have the best customer service by far as well.

 

[mamacatnv]

I contacted our credit union and co-signed on a card for my DS - I asked for a $1000 limit and they granted it.

It's been almost a year, when he hits the one year mark our CU suggested he then apply to have me removed since the history would have begun to be established and he will be on his way with his own credit

 

[avgeek81]

When my brother and I turned 18 my dad had us get a credit card thru our credit union so we could build credit. I still have the card but i hardly use it. I also remember getting an old navy card when i was 20 or so.

 

[westjones]

Well Capital One said she had to have some credit already and only offered a secured card with a fee. Discover Card sounds like they may be an option, so we are going to have her try them. If not, we will check at the credit union where our accounts are to see if they will give her one. Thanks everyone!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Do you belong to a credit union? My DS (now 19) got one when he was 18 through the credit union. I think he has a $1500 limit (though not for sure). He's done really well keeping it at a zero balance by the end of the month. He probably could get a limit increase, but hasn't tried because right now it isn't needed.

 

[ironpig70]

Get a Disney Visa in her name and yours.

This should work as your history will get the card.

With her name on it her credit builds.

 

[kellyg403]

I added my dd to my Discover account. I did it for two reasons honestly. She is away from home, a couple hours away. The Discover, in a pinch..and it better be a big pinch..she can get actual cash of 50.00.

I got added her freshman year. Last year she applied for a capital one account. She was approved for a low limit of about 500.00. Which is good for her. She knows how much she will make so she knows if she charges she has to pay it off quickly.

Kelly

 

[Nolcrest]

Add her as a joint owner to one of yours. It will count against her credit history too.

My son got his first CC thru a credit union but it was a secured credit card for 500 limit but there was a 500 hold placed against his savings account. So basically that's what he started w/to build his credit.