Student Credit Card

Karl.H_2

I am considering applying for a credit card for University (mainly to improve my credit rating). Now, I have considered Egg's card but have found a Student Credit Card by Barclaycard.

I like the idea of getting no mail from Egg, as I will be away and have the option to check my statement on-line. Egg's credit limit is £500 and Barclaycard's is £250.

Has anyone got any advice about a first-time credit card.

I will pay off in full all debt collect on the card each month.

I think I have more chance of getting accepted for the Barclaycard because it's aimed at students who haven't had a card before.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Money_Man

Who do you have your student account with? Probably best to go with them in the interim if its only to build up a credit history and you do not need any specific added value benefits. Good advice about setting up a direct debit this will ensure you start to build a good credit history.

pcwilkins

Smile gave me a credit card even when I was a student --- but I had had a bank account with them for a few years and had never been seriously overdrawn.

Do you have any income other than loans?

Peter

Karl.H_2

Hi, and thanks for your replies.

I have a Student Account with Halifax but they don't offer a Student Credit Card. My only income will be the Grant and I will be unable to get a job because I will have attend work placements a lot.

I e-mailed Egg asking whether I will be able to have their Egg card; I asked if I can put the Grant as regular income. They replied and said I needed a regular income; by the sounds, they will not allow the Grant.

I have just got off the phone with Barclaycard and they said I can put details of the Grant on the income section of the application. They said they class that as a regular income.

I have e-mailed Egg back asking them whether they include a Grant as a regular income – this time I included more detail. By the way, the Grant is an NHS Bursary.

It's worth pointing out that I cannot yet apply for the Barclaycard because they demand I put my accommodation address on the application, as well as my fixed address. So, until my accommodation is confirmed I cannot apply.

I would like a credit card not only to build a good credit score, but also to have purchase protection. I have no chance of being accepted for cash back cards. I will not apply for the extra protection; I am still researching this to find the benefits.

morg_monster

When I was a student I applied for and received an Egg card. I simply put in my income as the total of my student loan and the financial support I received from my parents plus my estimated earnings during the holidays (which totaled about £10k I think) and then I put down as occupation "Student". I had a card with £1000 credit limit I think. I don't think this is in any way trying to pull the wool over their eyes, it is honest, if they want to give someone with a 10k income a credit card they probably don't care if you're a student or not.

pcwilkins

Karl.H wrote: »

I have no chance of being accepted for cash back cards.

Why? Smile gave me one and I was only on a bursary.

Peter

Karl.H_2

morg_monster wrote: »

When I was a student I applied for and received an Egg card. I simply put in my income as the total of my student loan and the financial support I ...

Thanks for that, I might seriously consider Egg. Not that I need it, but Barclaycard operate a "No over limit fees" on the Student Card – might be worth considering though just in case.

At the moment I am not sure which to go with, so I will get hold of each card's T&C and read them carefully.

pcwilkins wrote:

Why? Smile gave me one and I was only on a bursary.

I was referring to the likes of Barclaycard's and Capital One's Cashback cards with 1%. I didn't realise Smile had cashback cards. I will be sure to check it out. Thanks!

Just a burning question: do you need to send proof of ID to card companies before you apply. I have been sick of proving ID, recently I opened a Savings Account :mad:.

I think I will use the Egg Card for 12 months then apply for Barclaycard. We'll see how things go.

Karl.H_2

Okay, I have attempted to apply for Egg's Credit Card and was refused. That means I will have to wait for my accommodation address and apply for the Barclaycard.

It's annoying when you see people on TV with a wallet FULL of credit cards when I cannot get one . Oh well, better luck next time! :j

pksaraf

when i was a student, i held an account with barclays - they gave me a card after 3-4 months of running the account.

Karl.H_2

pksaraf wrote: »

when i was a student, i held an account with barclays - they gave me a card after 3-4 months of running the account.

That sounds good, however I cannot have another student account because I already have one with Halifax. If I would've known I might've considered Barclay's.

jonesMUFCforever

Have you tried applying for a normal Halifax card?