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There is a ton of extra literature the high school senior receives in the mail during their twelfth grade year. There are special scholarship offers, student financing, and special college programs, not to mention the number of invitations from Uncle Sam to come join the Navy, Marines, and Army. Having just been through this, I can add to that, at least fifty offers for a student credit card.

Now, no offense to these hard working people and their advertising campaigns, not to mention the U.S. Postal Service who delivered these documents; but, the majority of these offers ended up in the round file, aka as the trash, unopened. There is just too much, too fast, and you're busy with other things, like just getting through those last few months of school.

As a parent of a recent college graduate and another one coming up, I realize it is important that the college student have a credit card. Now that all of the excitement of final exams and graduation is over, it's time to start looking forward to the next step. With the new college year just around the corner, it's time to look at and compare those college student credit cards offers.

That is what is so great about the internet. You can enter college student credit card into any search engine and come up with a number of sites that give you a choice right here online. You don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home. You can shop right here and even sign up and order your card any time day or night. No need to take a trip to the post office to mail your application, you just press enter.

When applying for a student credit card, there are a few things you need to keep in mind and consider.

-First, talk to your student about the responsibility that comes with having a credit card.

-Student credit card interest rates are a little higher because they usually have no previous credit history.

-Student credit cards have lower credit limits, normally $500 to $1,000.

-Caution your student about having more than one credit card.

-To avoid running up too much debt, the credit card should be used just for necessities.

-Try to pay the entire credit card balance each month.

-Explain to your student that if they fall behind in payments, the credit card issuer will increase their interest rate.

-Used properly, a student credit card can build up good credit, which is a valuable tool in today's world, along with that college degree.

Most college students obtain their first credit card either before they enter college or during their freshman year. Student credit cards can be a good thing, when used responsibly. Your student has used his time wisely thus far, enabling him to be admitted into college. Now it's up to them to earn a good credit rating, by following the rules of the credit card issuer. This is called education by experience.