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When should college students get a credit card?

When should college students get a credit card?

When should college students get a credit card?

Getting a credit card while you’re in college can be a great way to build credit as a young adult. Find out when exactly you should take the plunge.

Getting a credit card while you’re in college can be a great way to build credit as a young adult. Find out when exactly you should take the plunge.

Getting a credit card while you’re in college can be a great way to build credit as a young adult. Find out when exactly you should take the plunge.

Apr 6, 2023

Sam Lipscomb

3

min

If you talk to college students, most of them know that they should get a credit a card and start building credit at some point. But there isn’t much consensus around when they should get a credit card and start building credit. As a result, most college students end up putting it off until it’s too late.

It’s far too common to hear people say that credit building isn’t something that you should concern yourself with until you’ve got a job or a steady income. But you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you’ve waited until you need credit to start building credit. Just because you don’t have an income doesn’t mean you should delay building your credit. College is often the best time to start so that you’re prepared for what comes next.

So when should you start building credit?

When it comes to building credit, there’s a good rule of thumb: the sooner, the better. Don’t wait for the sake of waiting. It’s no secret that money and personal finance can be uncomfortable topics, but you shouldn’t let that keep you from building for your financial future. Having your own line of credit with Fizz or a student credit card can make a huge difference in your life. Here are a few suggestions as to how you can get started.

1. Start when you turn 18

You can apply for your own credit card as soon as you turn 18, and having your own line of credit is the best way to boost your score. Even if you don’t have much income, there are cards out there that cater to students with limited income. Fizz doesn’t even check your credit or your income - instead, we give you a spending limit based on what you have in your bank account.

2. Start as soon as you get to college

Heading off to college is a big life milestone. It’s a special opportunity to be independent and it’s a great time to start building credit and learning about your personal finances. Fizz is designed specifically for college students, with tons of cash back offers on and around campus. And with daily Autopay, SafeFreeze, and our online resources, it’s easy to learn and stay on top of your finances. There are tons of student credit cards out there as well, but be wary of their fees and interest rates.

3. Learn!  

Learning about personal finance is a great way to get started. Fizz has tons of free online resources that are easy to read and share. The more you learn about your finances, the better prepared you’ll be for your future - and you’ll realize how important building credit really is. Whether you’re concerned with student loans, living with your friends, or even getting a job, learning about credit is the best way to find out just how important your credit score really is.

Don’t rely on your parents’ card

It’s all too common to hear college students talk about how they don’t need their own credit card because they use their parents’ card. But just being an authorized user on a parent’s credit card isn’t going to have the same credit building effect as using your own credit or Fizz card.

When you have your parents’ credit card with your name on it, you’re considered an authorized user. While this might make your score look high, lenders want to see that you’re capable of being responsible with your own line(s) of credit. So if you want to make sure that you can refinance your student loans or get an apartment with your friends, it’s important to build credit on your own as well - and Fizz is a great way to do exactly that. With a Fizz card, you can get your own, unsecured line of credit for full credit building effect.

The bottom line

When it comes to building credit and getting a credit card, remember: the sooner, the better. That said, it’s never a bad time to start building credit and learning about your finances. Even if you don’t have a consistent income while you’re in college, using a credit or Fizz card is a great way to learn how to budget and manage money.

While student credit cards have historically been the only option for college students looking to build credit, Fizz is changing the game. With Fizz, you won’t have to worry about hidden fees or interest rates (all you'll ever owe is a membership fee). Instead, we link to your existing checking account to keep you from spending more than you have. With our daily Autopay and SafeFreeze features, it’s easy to keep yourself on top of your spending, and our resources are designed to help answer the most common and pressing questions you might have.

Sam Lipscomb

Author bio

Sam is a Kenyon College alum and is head of content at Fizz. He's been a go to personal finance resource among his peers since getting his first credit card during his sophomore year of college. He hails from Washington, DC, loves all things aviation, and currently lives in Los Angeles.

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ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz © 2024.


40 Wooster Street, Level 2, New York, NY 10013. All rights reserved. FIZZ® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz (“Fizz”) is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard® (“Fizz Card”) is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard® and may be used everywhere Mastercard® debit cards are accepted. Any loans you may be offered in connection with your use of the Fizz Card are originated by Lead Bank, a Missouri state-chartered bank. Any promotions or rewards you may be offered in connection with your use of the Fizz Card are offered and managed by Fizz, not our bank partners.


Fizz Members may choose to apply for a Fizz Card, but are not required to. Fizz Membership does not guarantee access to a Fizz Card. Application and eligibility restrictions apply. Over $300 in annual value of Fizz Card based on cash value available to Fizz Card users assuming half of all available rewards and promotions are used. Actual results may vary.Fizz cardholders: Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, which may negatively impact your credit score. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors, including your activity with other creditors. The Fizz Card and related services will not remove negative credit history from your credit report. Fizz, on behalf of Lead Bank, will report your activities to Experian®  and Transunion® .For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


Fizz cardholders: Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, which may negatively impact your credit score. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors, including your activity with other creditors. The Fizz Card and related services will not remove negative credit history from your credit report. Fizz, on behalf of Lead Bank, will report your activities to Experian®  and Transunion® .


For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


Selected customers reviews above describe individual experiences or results. Actual results may vary. App Store rating as of September 2024.


For persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, we accept calls on our service line at (940) 260-2704.

ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz © 2024.


40 Wooster Street, Level 2, New York, NY 10013. All rights reserved. FIZZ® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz (“Fizz”) is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard® (“Fizz Card”) is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard® and may be used everywhere Mastercard® debit cards are accepted. Any loans you may be offered in connection with your use of the Fizz Card are originated by Lead Bank, a Missouri state-chartered bank. Any promotions or rewards you may be offered in connection with your use of the Fizz Card are offered and managed by Fizz, not our bank partners.


Fizz Members may choose to apply for a Fizz Card, but are not required to. Fizz Membership does not guarantee access to a Fizz Card. Application and eligibility restrictions apply. Over $300 in annual value of Fizz Card based on cash value available to Fizz Card users assuming half of all available rewards and promotions are used. Actual results may vary.Fizz cardholders: Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, which may negatively impact your credit score. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors, including your activity with other creditors. The Fizz Card and related services will not remove negative credit history from your credit report. Fizz, on behalf of Lead Bank, will report your activities to Experian®  and Transunion® .For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


Fizz cardholders: Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, which may negatively impact your credit score. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors, including your activity with other creditors. The Fizz Card and related services will not remove negative credit history from your credit report. Fizz, on behalf of Lead Bank, will report your activities to Experian®  and Transunion® .


For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


Selected customers reviews above describe individual experiences or results. Actual results may vary. App Store rating as of September 2024.


For persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, we accept calls on our service line at (940) 260-2704.

ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz © 2024.


40 Wooster Street, Level 2, New York, NY 10013. All rights reserved. FIZZ® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz (“Fizz”) is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard® (“Fizz Card”) is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard® and may be used everywhere Mastercard® debit cards are accepted. Any loans you may be offered in connection with your use of the Fizz Card are originated by Lead Bank, a Missouri state-chartered bank. Any promotions or rewards you may be offered in connection with your use of the Fizz Card are offered and managed by Fizz, not our bank partners.


Fizz Members may choose to apply for a Fizz Card, but are not required to. Fizz Membership does not guarantee access to a Fizz Card. Application and eligibility restrictions apply. Over $300 in annual value of Fizz Card based on cash value available to Fizz Card users assuming half of all available rewards and promotions are used. Actual results may vary.Fizz cardholders: Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, which may negatively impact your credit score. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors, including your activity with other creditors. The Fizz Card and related services will not remove negative credit history from your credit report. Fizz, on behalf of Lead Bank, will report your activities to Experian®  and Transunion® .For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


Fizz cardholders: Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, which may negatively impact your credit score. Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors, including your activity with other creditors. The Fizz Card and related services will not remove negative credit history from your credit report. Fizz, on behalf of Lead Bank, will report your activities to Experian®  and Transunion® .


For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


For additional information, terms and conditions applicable to your use of Fizz’s services, please consult Fizz’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, the Cardholder Agreement, any Line of Credit Agreement in effect between you and Lead Bank and any and all other applicable terms, policies and guidelines made available to you through the Fizz services.


Selected customers reviews above describe individual experiences or results. Actual results may vary. App Store rating as of September 2024.


For persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, we accept calls on our service line at (940) 260-2704.