Student credit cards have been criticized over the last few years; some people wrongly assume that credit card companies are zeroing in on needy college students. The truth is that a credit card is much like a weapon, in good hands it can be helpful, but in the wrong hands it can be misused. There is no denying that student cards are available to younger individuals, but the truth that some student credit cards usually need a co-signer ensures student credit cards are used under supervision. In addition, many college credit cards have a minimal credit limit making it difficult for a student to spend too much.

In comparison to personal, a student credit card is issued to students that usually have no prior credit history. Credit card organizations generally require the student's guardian/parents to act as co-signers, ensuring a responsible adult is part of the entire process. A credit card company takes the credit history of the co-signer (student's parents/guardians) into account and then issues a student credit card. A typical college credit card has a credit limit of ($1000-$4000) and the credit limit can vary depending on the company that is issuing the credit card.

Student credit cards have low credit limits because they are designed for expenses like stationery, books and other expenses a student is expected to encounter on a daily basis. In addition, many university credit cards also have high APR s (Annual Percentage Rates or interest rates), making them unacceptable for purchasing costly items. From a student's view, apart from being a source of much needed cash, college credit cards also offer benefits like discounts at stationery stores and book stores. This allows students to put their student credit card to good use while saving money on necessary purchases.

Student credit cards also give specialized reward point programs. For example, some credit cards give credit card holders the opportunity to earn reward points that can be exchange for discounts on airline expenses and fuel charges; students that travel regularly benefit a lot from such reward point programs. In addition, many university credit cards also offer 0% APR for a limited period of time (as an introductory offer), students can thus use credit cards for making purchases while they settle down, without having to worry about high interest rates.

Almost all major credit card companies offer university, and student credit cards can be further categorized based on the discounts they offer. For example, some collge credit cards offer fuel discounts, while others offer discounts on electronics expenses. The best part of university is that students build up a credit history by the time they graduate and are eligible for a number of credit cards after graduation. Students can also change their existing student credit card into a full fledged credit card. University credit cards offer ready cash, discounts and specialized reward point programs that are beneficial to students. In summary, a responsible credit card holder stands to get a lot from a student credit card.