Trying to find a credit card to suit my lifestyle..

Quote from GreysFan : If the Credit Union can't help yet, why not look into getting a work study job on campus ( if possible) then that would solve the problem of having your own income, and then you could possibly qualify for at least a secured credit card ( $500.00 limit or so)....

If we do any work study things on campus, I'm completely oblivious. Wouldn't know where to start but I'll see if I can't ask someone about it. Even then, I don't know when I'd have the time to actually get that stuff done. Whenever I'm not in class I have to be in study hall. We are required to get eight hours done every two weeks, and as is I barely meet the eight hour requirements.

Quote from SabrinaC : If we do any work study things on campus, I'm completely oblivious. Wouldn't know where to start but I'll see if I can't ask someone about it. Even then, I don't know when I'd have the time to actually get that stuff done. Whenever I'm not in class I have to be in study hall. We are required to get eight hours done every two weeks, and as is I barely meet the eight hour requirements.

Yeah but is that because of practice and games? Wait... study hall too??!! wow! You're a busy one eh?

Work Study? Try Financial aid they may point you in the right direction...

Quote from GreysFan : Yeah but is that because of practice and games? Wait... study hall too??!! wow! You're a busy one eh? Work Study? Try Financial aid they may point you in the right direction...

Between classes, practice, games, study hall, and traveling to and from school (approx. 1.5 hours a day) I don't have much time to myself, and when I do have time I have to study.

Quote from dzap : Like I said...I don't like Capital One either. I don't have any of their cards. But for starting out, they seem to approve easily from what I have heard from others. They have a higher success rate on approval for those building/starting credit.

Yes, they do indeed. Capital One is actually one of the top listed "predatory lenders", meaning that they tend to approve people others won't with the expectation that they will get buried in debt.

In addition to NerdWallet (which you've already checked out), check out http://creditcardtuneup.com/.

My credit union just put out their student card since I asked last. I applied, so, let's see what happens.... More than likely to be declined due to low "wage," aka grants, scholarships and unsubsidized loans for school... :-/

Quote from SabrinaC : My credit union just put out their student card since I asked last. I applied, so, let's see what happens.... More than likely to be declined due to low "wage," aka grants, scholarships and unsubsidized loans for school... :-/

If you get turned down, perhaps you can haggle with them. If you have any cash money at all, maybe they'll let you secure the card to your account, and limit it to say $500, or even $300. If they do, your account would most likely be locked at the credit limit amount. That will at least get you started on your credit.

Quote from MikeBear : If you get turned down, perhaps you can haggle with them. If you have any cash money at all, maybe they'll let you secure the card to your account, and limit it to say $500, or even $300. If they do, your account would most likely be locked at the credit limit amount. That will at least get you started on your credit.

Considering I had over $1,000 in my savings account with them at the time... I don't think they will haggle.

Quote from MikeBear : Sabrina, you mentioned you recently joined a credit union, that was a GOOD MOVE.

Desert Schools? Eh, not so much. Their free account requires a combination of at least two of the following:

- eStatements
- Direct Deposit
- Three signature-based transactions per month

If these requirements aren't met, then they charge $5 per month. Sounds exactly like my Chase account, except with Chase, I get enhanced ATMs that do envelope free deposits and an iPhone app that will deposit checks.

When I was with DSFCU, they offered a ridiculously high rate for a car loan, refused to issue a credit card and kept jacking up fees for everything.

Sure, they're a credit union. In name only. Also avoid Arizona State Credit Union. I'm a member now and the service is awful.



OP, as already mentioned, you're in a bad spot. You'll probably need a cosigner. I do prefer American Express, I have had them the longest. Excellent customer service.

If you can't get a card, then be aware that cards bearing the Visa or Mastercard logo carry the exact same protections for fraudulent use when the user does not use your PIN. So if someone's database is compromised and someone goes on an Internet spending spree, you're covered under Visa/Mastercard's Zero Liability protection, so long as you follow their guidelines:

http://usa.visa.com/personal/secu...ility.html
http://www.mastercard.us/zero-liability.html

If the person gets ahold of your PIN for some reason, then you're back to the bank's rules or the federal guidelines, whichever is more strict.

Quote from redmaxx : Desert Schools? Eh, not so much. Their free account requires a combination of at least two of the following: - eStatements - Direct Deposit - Three signature-based transactions per month If these requirements aren't met, then they charge $5 per month. Sounds exactly like my Chase account, except with Chase, I get enhanced ATMs that do envelope free deposits and an iPhone app that will deposit checks. When I was with DSFCU, they offered a ridiculously high rate for a car loan, refused to issue a credit card and kept jacking up fees for everything. Sure, they're a credit union. In name only. Also avoid Arizona State Credit Union. I'm a member now and the service is awful. OP, as already mentioned, you're in a bad spot. You'll probably need a cosigner. I do prefer American Express, I have had them the longest. Excellent customer service. If you can't get a card, then be aware that cards bearing the Visa or Mastercard logo carry the exact same protections for fraudulent use when the user does not use your PIN. So if someone's database is compromised and someone goes on an Internet spending spree, you're covered under Visa/Mastercard's Zero Liability protection, so long as you follow their guidelines: http://usa.visa.com/personal/secu...ility.html http://www.mastercard.us/zero-liability.html If the person gets ahold of your PIN for some reason, then you're back to the bank's rules or the federal guidelines, whichever is more strict.

If you are talking about their checking account, I didn't get one and I don't really need one. The $5 fee is for the first 6 months and only if you don't have credit (like me). I don't mind using paperless statements, I check my email often anyways.


And by signature-based transactions, would deposits count? Or?