Student Credit Cards

Paying for College
21

<p>i'm going away to prep school this year (3 weeks). i'm 16. i've had a debit/credit card on and off since i was 11, under my mother's name. now i have a debit card under my name, linked to my savings, with USAA/mastercard. you think i should get a credit card to build credit? (can i, as a minor?) i'm not a big spender and am very cheap.. not the type to buy a $2000 handbag just because "it was so cute" when i have $0 in my bank. </p>

<p>i will have an allowance each week for "necessities", but i also make a lot of online purchases. debit/ash cards would be best, but..</p>

<p>i would want frequent flier miles if anything. can i, as a minor?</p>

22

<p>minors can not apply for credit cards.</p>

23

<p>When we went to Europe last year my daughter (17 at the time) was not even able to get a debit card under her name on her own bank account. We had to put me on her account and get the card in my name.</p>

24

<p>One of the things my DD was most surprised to learn about---is the default interest rate---along with the introductory rate versus the interest rate after the first 6 months. Darn that small print...but she is learning....</p>