<p>Are there any credit cards for students to "build their credit" without having a co-signer?</p>
<p>USAA bank has had them, not sure with the new rules if they still offer them. Plus you must be a USAA member.</p>
<p>You might try for a secured card where you put up the cash and the bank holds it.</p>
<p>S opened a student checking account with Bank of America and was able to get a credit card through them completely on his own. We did not have to co-sign.</p>
<p>Okay thank you. Currently, I’m only 17, but I would like to gain credit. I have a checking/debit account without any parental dependence (or signatures), but I don’t think that’s building much credit. I know I’d be responsible with a credit card, I’ve held my checking account positive for 6 years, but I’m unsure how to obtain one. Especially at this age.</p>
<p>somemom, anyone can get USAA banking and investment products, including credit cards. Membership is needed only for purchasing insurance. </p>
<p>Coincidentally I just spoke to someone at USAA about credit cards for college students. They have an account for < age 21 that requires a co-signer and has a $500 limit. Looks like a pretty attractive option for my S who will be a college freshman next fall.</p>
<p>They must have changed it when they changed membership last year. It used to be only military officers, then they added active duty and now they added any service ever, even for the auto insurance. I had no idea any non-USAA insurance member could do the banking stuff, good to know.</p>
<p>I have heard ads on the radio for them just in the past few months and wondered about that.</p>
<p>Well, then, I would highly recommend them as a very classy banking institution.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about credit cards. Either does anyone in my family, you know, being a low-income family with outrageously bad credit. I want to start a credit line when I turn eighteen. What is the best credit card for students? At least… what on earth should I look for?</p>
<p>I recently read that after Feb. 22, people under age 21 will require a co-signer by law to get a credit card. So, if you don’t want a co-signer…Hurry.</p>
<p>D2 turned 18 in January. We were able to get her a credit card through USAA (we’re members). No co-signer required, with a $500 credit limit. I don’t think that will be available once the law changes later this month.</p>
<p>Well I don’t turn 18 until this summer :</p>
<p>D just got a Discover card - no fee, no limit, and it’s her first credit card. Granted, not every store takes Discover, but she got it primarily to build credit anyway, not to finance wild spending sprees (we hope!)</p>
<p>Are ANY obtainable at the age of 17?</p>
<p>Sometimes you can get credit cards if you’re under 18 with very very low limits, but usually only at banks where your parents bank and only if their names are tied to the credit card (ie they are liable if you don’t pay your balances). </p>
<p>Best to use a debit card and wait until you are 18 to work on your credit.</p>
<p>Bank of America.
My son has his student debit/savings acct there. (His reall savings acct is elsewhere.)
they have a student application. No co-signing. They have no clue how much money he has as his debit card balance is always low, then we put $$ in for food/expenses and the cycle repeats. No job…
Anyway, approved for $500 and increased shortly afterward.
To be used for emergencies, though seems like he has used it for more than that!!</p>
<p>Smithie and proud - Yes, I already have a debit card, but with the new laws coming in effect I don’t think either of my parents would even qualify to cosign, and I’d like to gain credit now instead of later when I’m trying to buy a car or house!</p>
<p>There’s absolutely no way any credit company in their right mind would allow my mom to cosign for me - nevermind what the rates would be. Who can cosign a credit card? Anyone? Any family member?</p>