How to get a student credit card

Going to college may be your first major step toward independence. And financial responsibility is usually a big part of that, whether you’re paying tuition, renting an apartment or buying groceries. 

A student credit card can be a great tool to build credit. But that’s only when it’s used responsibly by doing things like paying your monthly statements on time. Learn more in this guide.

Key takeaways

• Student credit cards are designed for college students who generally have little or no credit, so they may be easier to be approved for.
• If you’re under 21, you’ll need to show your income and that you can make the monthly payments—or have a co-signer for your card.
• You could also ask a loved one to be an authorized user on their credit card.
• If you’re not able to qualify for a student credit card, there are still options, like a secured card, to begin building credit.

Yes, a college student can get a credit card. And student credit cards may be easier to qualify for than traditional credit cards because they’re designed for students who usually have little or no credit history.

Keep in mind, you have to be at least 18 years old to get a credit card. And if you’re between the ages of 18 and 20, you’ll need to have independent income that allows you to make the monthly payments or have a co-signer. However, many credit card issuers don’t allow co-signers. A proof of income may be required by the issuer.

If you don’t have a job, other sources of income might make you eligible to apply for a credit card. But the income you can claim depends on your age. 

If you’re 18-20 years old, you can report your income from a work study program, regular allowances deposited to your account from a relative or someone else, and any remaining scholarships or financial aid after paying for tuition and other expenses. If you have someone 21 or older co-sign the account with you, their income is also considered. 

If you’re 21 or older, you could report personal income from things like financial aid, allowances from parents or relatives, student loans, and household income that could include a spouse or partner’s income.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is what you fill out to apply for financial aid for college. The financial aid you ultimately receive could be considered sources of income once you’ve used it to pay for tuition and any other related expenses.

Applying for a student credit card is similar to the process of applying for a traditional credit card. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Check and monitor your credit. If you’ve already established credit, you could see where you stand by using a credit monitoring service like CreditWise from Capital One. You could also check AnnualCreditReport.com. Keep in mind that if you’re new to credit, you may not have credit reports or scores yet. 
• Compare credit cards. Figure out which is the best student credit card for you. You may want to check to see if a card offers rewards, no annual fee or 0% introductory APR.
• Get pre-approved. Because credit card applications can affect your credit scores, it’s a good idea to seek pre-approval before applying for a particular card. Pre-approval can show you which credit cards you might be eligible for without hurting your credit. After that, it may just take a few more steps to apply. 
• Gather the required information. Before applying, gather your personally identifiable information like your Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. You may also need your proof of income and the details of your enrollment at a college or university for the application. 
• Submit your application. The last step is to apply for a student credit card. Keep in mind that applying for a credit card usually involves a hard inquiry, so it can temporarily affect your credit.

Because student credit cards are geared toward college students who may have little or no credit history, they can be easier to qualify for. But you’ll still have to meet the eligibility requirements like being at least 18 years old and possibly providing proof of your independent income if you’re under 21.

You may also have to show that you’re enrolled in a college or university. For example, you could be eligible for a Capital One student card if you’re enrolled—or admitted and planning to enroll in the next three months—at an accredited university, community college or other higher education institution. 

Each credit card issuer is different. Some may not require a credit score for a student credit card, while others could require at least a fair credit score. That’s why you might want to consider getting pre-approved before applying for a credit card to evaluate your chances of approval without requiring a hard inquiry, which could temporarily hurt your credit.

It’s possible to get a student credit card with no credit history. That’s because student credit cards are usually geared toward college students who have little or no credit history.

If you don’t qualify for a student card, there may be other options available to you. They might include exploring whether a secured credit card is an option or asking a loved one about becoming an authorized user.

Using a student credit card responsibly is one way to start building good credit. And that could make other milestones in the future easier, like renting an apartment or buying a car. While applying for a student credit card is a pretty simple process, it’s important to be sure you’re ready and to understand how to manage a credit card. 

Before you apply, you can see if you’re pre-approved for a student credit card from Capital One with no impact to your credit.