Archive for January, 2010

Differentiating Between Credit Cards for College Students

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Whether you are a college student or the parent of a college student, you may have started looking at various types of credit cards for college students. Having a credit card while in college is almost a necessity. Generally, college students do not have much money to spare since they are attending school. Therefore, they need to rely on their parent s financial support or they have to borrow money from a credit card while in school and then pay the borrowed money back later. To choose the right student credit card, however, it is important to understand the differences between different credit cards and the benefits and drawbacks to both.

Unsecured Student Credit Cards

Unsecured student credit cards are those that extend a line of credit to the cardholder. Therefore, you can spend money with the card as a loan and pay the money back later. Since college students tend to have very little credit history, it can be difficult to get a credit card. Obviously, most credit card companies prefer to extend a line of credit to someone with a proven history of paying back loans.

Fortunately, there are a number of credit cards that cater specifically to college students. These companies understand that a person attending college will not have a great deal of established credit history, yet need the help of a credit card to get through college. In addition, the fact that you are attending college gives the companies a reason to believe that you will be responsible about paying back your debt.

The greatest benefit to an unsecured student credit card is that you don t have to have money to use it. Therefore, college students that don t have the cash up front can take advantage of the borrowed money to by books, school supplies, and to help pay for living expenses. This can be a lifesaver to someone who is scraping by while in college. In addition, there are a number of unsecured student credit cards available that do not have annual fees or any other types of fees.

The biggest drawback to an unsecured student credit card is that it is possible to spend beyond your means and acquire a debt that you are unable to overcome. If this happens, or if you are unable to keep up with your payments, your credit can be destroyed. For someone who is working on just getting started in life as an adult, it is not good to get started with a major debt or a big black mark on your credit record. In addition, student credit cards tend to have a higher interest rate than traditional credit cards. Therefore, you may pay a great deal of money in finance charges when borrowing money in this way.

Secured Student Credit Cards

Secured student credit cards are cards that money is deposited onto ahead of time. In other words, if you don t put your own money on the card before spending the money, you can t use the card. Therefore, secured student credit cards are like a debit card. Secured student credit cards do not look any different from unsecured student credit cards.

The benefits of secured student credit cards are that you can still have the flexibility offered by carrying a credit card, but you don t have to worry about burying yourself in debt. For parents that are helping their college age child through college, secured student credit cards are a great way to provide the student with an allowance to help pay for college expenses.

The major drawback to secured student credit cards is that these cards usually have a large number of fees. Often, there is a fee to set up the account in the first place. Then, there are usually annual fees and maybe even monthly fees. There are also fees associated with depositing, or loading, money to the card. These fees can be quite expensive.

On Credit Card Instant Approval

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Credit card applications nowadays have begun to provide clients with an instant approval feature. Meaning, the person applying for a credit card would easily know whether he or she is eligible for applying. This process of instant approval is basically used online or through the internet.

To be able to prevent confusion in dealing with a credit card instant approval, you should know these facts

The credit card instant approval and the credit card application are two different processes. The approval of your credit card does not necessarily mean that your card would be delivered to you as soon as possible. It only means that you are qualified to apply for the credit card. The credit card application will be your next step once you have been given the go signal by the bank.

The instant approval of credit cards is made to target customers with good past credit records. Although because of the high credit market today, the banks are willing stretch their limits and offer this program to different kinds of people. This may depend on the bank you re applying the credit card on.

Majority of banks provide customers with a credit card application form online. These credit card companies make use of this program with secured connection software for your information s protection.

The information you need to give for your credit card s instant approval include your name, your current address, your social security number, and if there are previous address you may have over the years. This is the most common information asked on the instant approval feature of the banks.

The main advantage of getting a speedy approval for your credit card applications is the elimination of the major trouble caused by guesswork on whether the company thinks that you deserve a card or not more instantaneously. Unlike the old fashioned way when you have to visit a bank in person and ask if you re qualified then knowing you re not, this time it s a lot more convenient.

The approval of your credit card online would only take you a few minutes to know your evaluation. It would be your choice to continue your credit card application.

And lastly, when you have been approved on your credit card application, don t just go splurging thinking that instant approval also means instant money. Instant approval is more tantamount to instant debt. Think about it.

Want to Improve your Credit Score

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

We all try hard to increase our credit score. Credit scoring model are complex and often vary among different creditors and for different types of credit.

Even a single factor can change your credit score, but your credit improvement is generally depends on how that factor relates to your considered by the model. Only creditor can explain which factor might improve your score under the particular model used to evaluate your credit score.

Your credit scoring models generally evaluate the following types of information in your credit report.

1) Your payment history typically is a significant factor. Have you paid your bills on time? It is likely that if you pay your bills late, had any account referred to collection, or declared to bankrupt if that history is reflected on your credit report it will affect negatively on your credit score.

2) Many credit scoring evaluate the amount of debts you have compared to your credit limits. What is your outstanding debt? If your outstanding debt is close to your credit limit, it is likely to have a negative affect on your credit score.

3) Many models consider the length of your credit track record. How long is your credit history? Your credit history should have to be sufficient, in case if it is insufficient it will affect your credit score. But that can be offset by other factors like timely payment and low balance.

4) If you have applied for a too many new account recently, which will affect your credit report as many model consider whether you have applied for new account recently? However, not all the inquiries are counted.

5) Having number of credit cards can affect your credit score. Although it s generally good to have established credit accounts but how many and what types of credit card you have can affect your credit score.

Credit scoring model may be based on more than just informed on your credit report. To improve your credit score just concentrate on your paying bill with the time line, paying down outstanding balance, and not taking on new debts. It will help you to improve your credit score significantly.

Anna Josephs is a freelance journalist having experience of many years writing articles and news releases on various topics such as pet health, automobile and social issues. She also has great interest in poetry and paintings, hence she likes to write on these subjects as well. Currently writing for this website Free Yearly Credit Report. For more details please contact at annajosephs@gmail.com