 TITLE: Should College Students Get Credit Cards? CONTENT: How College Students Can Benefit From Having Credit Cards\n---------------------------------------------------------\nThink of your first credit card as training wheels for your adult financial life. If you can handle one credit card with a low credit limit responsibly now—while your parents may still be willing to help you out of any jams—you'll be better prepared to manage rent, utilities and car payments once you graduate. Here are some other benefits of getting a credit card in college:\n*   **You'll build a credit history.** If, like most students, you have few or no credit accounts, you have what is called a \"thin\" credit file. This means credit bureaus don't have enough information about your use of credit to assign you a credit score. The earlier you get a credit card, the earlier you can start to build your credit history.\n*   **You'll learn the basics of credit management and score tracking.** Paying your credit card balance in full and on time every month will help improve your credit score. You should also check your credit report regularly to monitor your credit score and spot any mistakes or warning signs that someone is fraudulently using your credit.\n*   **You'll be prepared for financial crises.** If an expensive emergency such as an unexpected medical bill or car breakdown strikes, you may not have enough cash in your bank account to cover the cost. Having an emergency credit card in your wallet can give you and your parents peace of mind, especially if you attend college far from home.\n*   **You can earn rewards.** Some student credit cards offer rewards such as airline miles, cash back on purchases or credits for maintaining a certain GPA. They aren't as extensive as the rewards regular credit cards offer, but even a $20 credit can be a windfall for a college student on a tight budget.\nDo you feel confident you know how to manage money responsibly? Maybe you've been stuffing your piggy bank since you opened a lemonade stand in first grade, or paid cash for your first car at 16. If you're a financial whiz, you may even want to get more than one credit card. As long as you make your payments on time, having multiple credit cards can help you build your credit history and improve your credit score. Learn more about how many credit cards a college student should have. END