If you’re enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university, you may be eligible for a student credit card even if you don’t have a credit history. Some vocational students may also qualify. Basically, getting a student credit card is easy: just choose a card and apply for it. But there are several nuances that can improve your chances.
Remember, you must be over 18 to get a card in your name only – and applicants under 21 must show sufficient income to qualify. It is possible to get a credit card as a non-US citizen, and some card providers also issue cards to international students, but in most cases you must be a US citizen to apply for a card.
How to apply for a credit card as a student
In most cases, the research and decisions require more brainpower. The actual application for a card is the easy part, but an essential part of the process:
- Find out about credit cards for students. Compare fees and services to find the best solution for your needs.
- Find out about the application requirements. A minimum age, income or university student status may be required.
- Obtain the necessary documents to prove your identity and application details. Typically, you will need a social security number, a permanent address, annual income details, and information about housing costs.
- Submit an application. You can do this online, by phone or in person at a local bank branch.
The decision on the application is often returned within minutes, but in some cases it may take days or weeks for your application to be fully processed. If your application is approved, you will usually receive your card in the mail within seven to ten business days.
Pro tip
When applying for a student credit card, choose a card with no annual fee that also offers rewards or benefits for good grades or responsible credit management, as these features can add value when building your credit score.
How to fill out the income section on a student credit card application
When you apply for a credit card, you will likely be asked to prove that you have enough income to make the monthly payments. This is especially true for anyone under 21 who is applying on their own. Although you must tell the truth, there are many things you can list as income when applying for a student card, including:
- Income from part-time jobs and/or holiday jobs, including tips and bonuses
- Income from verifiable freelance, contractual, gig or irregular work
- Regular, ongoing support from parents or other family members
- Grants and scholarships (student loans that you have to repay do not count as income)
As with any credit card or bank account application, it’s important to be as honest and accurate as possible. If you’re under 21, it’s also important that you only report your individual income, even if you live with a domestic partner. Lying on a credit card application is considered fraud and is a federal crime.
How to get approved for student credit cards
Credit card approval is never guaranteed, but you can improve your chances by providing complete and accurate information. To estimate your chances of approval in advance, some issuers offer a pre-screening service on their website. By answering a few preliminary questions, the issuer can give you a good idea of whether you would be approved before pulling your credit report. Keep in mind that a pre-approval or pre-qualification is not a guarantee of approval, so the results should be treated like a best estimate.
What is a good credit card limit for students?
Caroline Lupini
Credit Cards Editor-in-Chief
Becky Pokora
Credit card author
Harlan Vaughn
Credit card expert
Student cards usually offer lower credit limits to start with. My first credit card, a student card, initially offered a limit of $500. By using my cards responsibly, I was able to increase my limit over time.
Realistically, most students only qualify for a credit line under $1,000, often closer to $300-500. A more important number to keep an eye on is your credit utilization ratio, or the amount you’ve charged against your credit limit. Keep this under 30% to keep your credit score high: That means that if you have a $500 credit line, you’ll have a maximum balance of $150.
Ideally, a student credit card’s credit limit should not cover more than a few weeks’ worth of expenses—$500 to $1,000 is plenty. This makes the card suitable for regular use and prevents overspending, helping students build a positive credit history (and higher credit limits in the future).
When should you apply for a student credit card?
If you’re a college student with proof of income, you may want to consider a student credit card, but the easiest way to apply for one is to turn 21. The CARD Act of 2009 prohibits anyone under 21 from getting a credit card unless they prove independent income or have a creditworthy co-signer. Since many credit cards no longer allow co-signers, people under 21 may need a larger, independent source of income to qualify than older applicants.
Ironically, student credit cards are often designed for people taking out credit for the first time, and so it may be easier to apply for a student card before you graduate than to wait until shortly after you graduate college to apply for a non-student card—especially if you don’t have a job lined up right away.
If you are about to apply for your first credit card, we recommend you read our guide to applying for your first credit card.
