 TITLE: What Is a Good Credit Score for a Student? CONTENT: What Is Considered a Good Credit Score?\n---------------------------------------\nCredit scores using the FICO® scoring model typically have a range of 300 to 850. For students—or anyone—a score of 700 or above is generally considered a good score.\nYour credit scores will depend on your credit history and how you've managed past debt. FICO® Scores☉ are the most popularly used credit scores and are calculated using a unique algorithm that weighs features of your credit reports to spit out your three-digit score.\nTo maintain or build a good credit score, you need to make sure you know which aspects of your credit report matter most in your credit score calculation. FICO® Scores are calculated by looking at the following five features of your credit report:\n*   **Payment history**: This is the most important factor in your credit score, and missing or late payments can have a serious impact on your score. As you begin or continue to build your credit, make sure to pay all your bills on time to avoid racking up any missed payments in your credit reports.\n*   **Credit utilization ratio**: This number is calculated by dividing the total amount of balances owed on your revolving credit accounts (such as credit cards) by the total amount of all your credit limits. Utilization can be volatile from month to month, and if you are just starting out with credit, it's good to be mindful of how much of your available credit you use each month. It's recommended to keep your utilization under 30%, or under 10% for the best credit scores.\n*   **Length of credit history**: This aspect may be tough for younger students, but the age of your credit history will always have an impact on your overall scores—and the longer your history, the better. Consider getting a credit card or asking a relative to add you as an authorized user on their card to help jump-start your credit history.\n*   **Recent activity**: This refers to the amount of new credit applications you've applied for in the past three to six months. A high number of applications in a short period of time might tell a lender that you're in a dire financial situation, so consider limiting the amount of applications you send in a short period of time.\n*   **Credit mix**: These are the different types of credit accounts you have in your credit file, such as a credit card, student loan, auto loan and the like. Students may struggle in this category, as younger consumers near the beginning of their credit journey may not have experience with many different types of loans. Though credit mix makes up a smaller part of your credit score, it's still something to think about as you begin to build more credit. END