There are many student credit cards available, but before you apply for the first one you come across you need top ask yourself, what you want the card for and which is the best deal for you? This will help you to plough your way through the student credit card advertisements to find the best deal for you.

Is it just a handy way to pay without having to make sure that you have always got cash? If so and you do not want to use the card to spend money you don’t have, then maybe a debit card would suit you better. This means that the card only uses the money that is already in your account, a bit like a check, but with all the convenience of a credit card.

Is it a way of borrowing money to help offset living expenses? If this is what you want it for, then credit cards may not be your best option. Credit cards can, if allowed to get out of control, be a very expensive way of borrowing, as the debt can pile up, a bit at a time, without you noticing how large it has become. Also the interest rates on student credit cards can be much higher than with a standard loan. However if you look carefully you can find good deals on student credit cards especially for short term borrowing that can make a lot of sense.

Or are you trying to build up a credit history that will be useful when you leave education? Student credit cards are a great way to start establishing a good credit history. They allow you to build up a history of regular and reliable paying that will stand you in good stead with credit companies when you start work and have to apply for financial products such as loans and mortgages. They allow the credit companies to see that you have a history of regular payments and are a good risk. This is one of the easiest ways to get a good history started while you are still studying.

The trick to making student credit cards work for you is to never borrow more than you can reasonably afford to repay. You should always pay your credit card bills on time, never put it off, or think that it doesn’t matter if it's just a bit late. The best way to build up a good credit history is to be totally reliable. This is what the credit companies are looking for. Late repayments on your student credit cards will adversely affect your credit status and make the companies think you are a bad risk.

When using your student credit cards you should always have a good idea of how much you have spent and how much is left on your card. This means that you are unlikely to go over your limit. If you do go over your credit limit this can not only affect your credit history but may also incur large extra fees.

It is always a good idea to check the bills for your student credit cards. They don’t make very interesting reading but it is necessary to make sure that all the listed payments are correct. If you use your student credit cards to pay for small items on a frequent basis, then it may be a good idea to carry a book or card with you so that you can keep track of what you are spending and where.

Student credit cards can be a great resource for short term borrowing, building up a good credit history and are a convenient method of payment, but only if you use them sensibly. The main points to take note of are: do your research thoroughly to make sure you get the best deal for your particular needs. Always pay your bills on time. And check your bills to make sure they are correct. This way you should be able to make the most of your student credit cards and keep the problems at bay.

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