| Let's face it: college costs money. A lot of money. | | | | but there are a few which apply to any purchase |
| Besides tuition, students have to come up with ways | | | | anywhere. Go online to compare offers. |
| to pay for their living and entertainment expenses. | | | | Are you a student who travels home on the |
| Most students are in the market for a good deal, and | | | | weekends? Gas prices are astronomical, but gas |
| student credit cards deliver. | | | | reward cards can help offset your travel costs. You |
| It might sound counter intuitive to apply for credit | | | | can even find reward cards that help pay for the |
| cards as soon as you leave home and gain some | | | | routine maintenance on your vehicle. |
| independence. But getting a credit card early and | | | | What about students with a more charitable bent? |
| using it wisely will set you up for good credit in the | | | | Charity reward cards support worthy causes by |
| future. And some student credit cards give benefits | | | | donating a fraction of every purchase you make with |
| beyond contributing to a healthy credit history. Many | | | | the card. This is an easy way to help fund cancer |
| cards let you earn reward point or even cash back | | | | research, pay for literacy programs, or champion |
| for purchases you make every day. Some even | | | | animal rights. Eco-conscious students can also apply |
| donate a portion of your purchases to the charity of | | | | for reward cards that support green energy |
| your choice. | | | | research. You'll have no problem finding a card that |
| Cheap entertainment is the goal for many a struggling | | | | donates to a cause dear to your heart. |
| student. Some student reward cards give you points | | | | One caveat for first-time card applicants: don't fall for |
| whenever you rent a DVD, buy coffee, or purchase | | | | the high-pressure tactics some card issuers use. |
| books. Those points can then be redeemed for free | | | | Ignore their offers of free merchandise and focus on |
| merchandise or cash rebates. Imagine being rewarded | | | | the credit limit and interest rate of the card itself. A |
| for purchases you actually want to make. | | | | free pizza might sound good in the short-term, but a |
| The ever-popular cash back card is another great | | | | card with lousy terms will give you headaches even a |
| choice for students. These cards can give you 1-5% | | | | good pizza can't compensate for. Ask questions, get |
| cash back for every purchase you make. Some cash | | | | a written agreement, and read the terms and |
| back cards require you to shop at specific locations, | | | | conditions carefully. |