Student Credit Card 101

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

First things first, have you ever wondered how students get to have credit cards? Have you ever asked yourself just how such student credit cards actually work?

Basically, companies that offer credit cards offer student credit cards to a lot of students. This is done via direct marketing or partner marketing. Examples of this method is the MBNA card as well as the LL Bean credit card.

Then, the student cardholder purchases something using the student credit card. A transaction is therefore made at a merchant participant.

This merchant then captures all the data found on the student credit card and acquires credit card approval.

This data transaction is then sent immediately to be processed by the bank merchant for appropriate routing to the bank who will be issuing the settlement.

After which, the merchant is then paid in an average of three working days. The same transaction is also posted at the account of the consumer in three working days as well.

Offers of student credit card varies

Believe it or not, being a student does not mean illegibility to have and own a credit card. The fact of the matter is that there are three student credit card types.

One type of student credit card is the one released by banks. This includes MasterCard, Visa, Discover.

Another type of credit card is the American Express, entertainment and travel cards as well as Diners Club.

There are also cards that are called ?house cards.? These types of credit cards that are available to students usually apply in a single store chain, such as the charge card for Sears.

Student credit card account types

Believe it or not, just as there are various student credit cards, there are also varied account types of student credit card.

Included in the basic student credit card terms is the agreement that is revolving. Through this type, a student gets to pay the full monthly amount or partially as based on the card?s balance.

Another type is the charge agreement. This is where a student promises to pay the monthly balance in full. This is so that no interest charges would incur.

Another type of agreement is the installment. This is where a student signs a specific contract that states he should repay a particular amount that is fixed over a particular time period.

Student credit card rights

Believe it or not, student credit cards also come with rights that work for the credit card holder.
Basically, this includes being protected from any unfair discrimination from having credit. The fact of the matter is that credit must never be denied anyone as based on age (legal requirement is one should be 18 years old), sex, racial background, marital status, national origin, religion.

Student credit card agreement

The act which touts Truth in Lending basically require any and all disclosure of fees or interests which could be charged to the student by the issuer of the card.

Just when and how such charges would be applied to the account is and should be explained thoroughly at the back side of the monthly credit card statement.

All in all, a student credit card is a tremendous help for any academic purchases a student might need. Thanks to the options currently available, getting one is really as easy as A-B-C.