Why Credit Card Companies Target College Students

Many credit card companies see the marketing potential in college students. Credit card companies use promotional offers and free gifts like t-shirts, coffee mugs, or CDs to entice students on signing up for their company.

Have you ever asked why? Loyalty is a good reason. Credit card companies are competing to be the first credit card that the student will own. By being their first credit card, it is very likely that even when they graduate from college and enter the corporate world, students will be upgrading their credit cards with the same credit card company.

Students are Big Spenders

Aside from this, college students are great spenders. Let’s face it, credit card companies love customers who spend much using their credit cards. The more a person uses his credit card, the better it is for the business. And students are usually prone to over spending or using their credit cards excessively not just for their school necessities but on luxuries as well.

Despite the fact that college students are still in school and most do not have stable jobs to finance them, credit card companies are still doing everything to encourage these students on obtaining a student credit cards. Furthermore, credit card companies are encouraging students to use their credit cards as often as they can.

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Student Credit Card Mistakes

Students are prone to get caught in credit card debt. Let’s take a closer look at the following mistakes that students make with their student credit cards.

Signing up for the first student credit card offer

As you enter college, you might receive a lot of credit card offers from different credit card issuers.

If you’re not going to think about it carefully, you might just sign up for the first offer that you think sounds good enough for a credit card. It’s easy to get one enticed by a credit card offer. Most credit card companies make a lot of exciting promotions that may be hard to resist. However, if you’ll read the complete terms and conditions, you might be surprised to see that there are certain charges that are higher than expected.

To Sign or Not to Sign

To avoid signing up for the wrong credit card offer, don’t just read the best features of the credit card. Take the time to read the terms and conditions which can be found in the credit card’s website. This way, you’ll get to know about all the rates and charges that come with your credit card. Check out websites that give credit card reviews on different credit cards for students. These websites compile all possible student credit cards in the market, along with their main features in just one page. This will help you see what choices you have and compare them.

In addition, since this is your first time applying for a credit card, it will be better if you seek advice from your family or relatives who may know more about credit cards than you do. Better, you may seek assistance from a financial consultant who can give you an objective and informed opinion about the best student credit card.

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Credit Cards and Students

If you are a student thinking about applying for a credit card, you are preparing to establish a credit record of your own. It is a good idea to start early. Whether in high school with a debit visa or mastercard that reports to the credit bureaus, or college, since a credit card will be essential once you’ve graduated. Setting up a respectable credit history is a good foundation which can help you tremendously later in life. Aside from banks, companies, landlords, and firms generally judge your credentials based on your credit rating.

What to look for in a good student credit card

It is important though to choose the right credit card that will work best for you. Do your research. Study everything the credit card offers. Consider how much the annual fees are, APR (annual interest rates), and penalty fees if you fail to pay your bill in time. Make sure that the credit card provides a grace period or else the interest you will be immediately charge right after you made the purchase. Be careful about signing up for a credit card just because of great introductory rate being offered. Make sure that this introductory period lasts long and not just catch to lure customers. Why not consider credit cards by credit unions accessible from the campus. They usually have practicable rates and fees.

Once you’ve decided on the best student credit card for you, your main goal is to be able to pay off your balances timely and avoid any interest build-up. Below are good recommendations to practice to help you stay out of debt:

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