Credit Card for students?

[JSmile]

Hey guys,
I am a freshman at SUNY SB this year and wanted to get a credit card. I turned 18 in May and I already have a debit card linked to a checking account with over $1k in it. How do I get a credit card? I want to start building up my credit, but don't want to apply since it will kill my credit (since I don't have any and have a very low rate of getting something big approved.)

Cliffs:
Never had a credit card=no credit.
Want one.
Have some money to my name.

Thanks.

 

[JSmile]

ttt

 

[thirdlegstump]

You need a secure credit card. Basically you give the bank some money (I think $500 is minimum for most banks) and that becomes the max you can spend per month. You then pay them each month a fee and the purchasing amount + their interest rate which is something like 25% for every purchase you make.

It's basically a responsibility test that costs your ass over 25% for everything you buy. Sucks don't it?

 

[thirdlegstump]

and don't bump any less than every 4 hours.

 

[DaWhim]

do you see some people that you can sign up for one on campus? go to get one with them. also, do you get the pre approved letter in mail? those have a better chance to get one.

 

[mundane]

My freshman year @ RIT, some cc companies had hired students to go around campus getting people to sign up - that's how I ended up with my first card. You can also check out the major companies - they usually will offer a student version of the card with low limits and no annual fee - I doubt they'd turn anyone down with no credit. I'm not quite sure I understand why applying will kill your credit.

 

[DaWhim]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
You need a secure credit card. Basically you give the bank some money (I think $500 is minimum for most banks) and that becomes the max you can spend per month. You then pay them each month a fee and the purchasing amount + their interest rate which is something like 25% for every purchase you make.

It's basically a responsibility test that costs your ass over 25% for everything you buy. Sucks don't it?

no, not for a student. if you are a college student, you are entitled to credit card. I got my first credit card a month before I go to college. I got a preapproved letter in mail back in june. I called them up and told them I will soon to be a college student. two months later, the credit card arrived in mail.

a year later...I have about 4 cc's and 1 charge card.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Interesting..why wasn't I notified of this during college!? Damn women took up too much of my time! arrgh

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

People send me credit cards all the time... You don't have to pay the interest on what you buy as long as you pay for it before a deadline.

 

[skim milk]

i got a credit card when during my freshman year in college.. I just applied to one of the student cards that many credit companies offer

 

[kyparrish]

Originally posted by: fritolays
i got a credit card when during my freshman year in college.. I just applied to one of the student cards that many credit companies offer

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
You need a secure credit card. Basically you give the bank some money (I think $500 is minimum for most banks) and that becomes the max you can spend per month. You then pay them each month a fee and the purchasing amount + their interest rate which is something like 25% for every purchase you make.

It's basically a responsibility test that costs your ass over 25% for everything you buy. Sucks don't it?

Agreed.

You are virtually guaranteed approval since there is no risk to the bank.

After 1 year, close your cc, get your deposit back (plus interest) and get a non-secured cc.

Secured cc

 

[eakers]

my bank just sent me one and i activated it.
its a lot easier here to get one i guess.

 

[yllus]

Cardweb.com keeps a list of bank credit cards available on a secured basis in the United States. Try that site first in your search for an appropriate starter credit card.

 

[bigalt]

a lot of the folks i knew in college had theirs through www.studentcreditcard.com

 

[KillyKillall]

Get a Citicard Platinum...they'll give them to entries with about $500-1000 starting to 19 year olds. Then charge one thing or two a month and always pay it off. It will grow quickly.

 

[jspeicher]

i also recommend the citibank platinum. I have a $25,000 limit....because I joint account with parents.

I read this thread title and laughed....its so easy to get a CC when you're a college student. Just go check your mail. lmao.

 

[Krk3561]

They want you to get a credit card because college students almost always end of up in debt which means lots of $$ for them in intrest payments

 

[PKPunk]

when I started college at a JC they had people walking around campus asking if you wanted to sign up for a credit card. that's how I got my first Credit card. When I signed up I didn't have a job so I asked the guy who was handing out the apps what I should put for income. he said just put 1500 a month and I'd get approved. So I did, and then I got my first CC with a 500 dollar limit....it's funny they didn't check my income.