The innovative spending idea for the Gen-next is a Student Credit Card. Popularly knows as cards or the Plastic money these open a gateway to financial freedom to the contemporary youth. On one hand student credit card also provide an opportunity to an adolescent to start building up his credit profile but on the other hand these are known to generate a vicious circle of debts and money short falls.

Various companies and banks offer lucrative schemes to lure students to opt for credit cards. These offers vary as low interest rates; cash back rewards, no annual fees, etc.

Various credit card companies have specifically launched student credit card towards the adolescent and youth. This card offers a bonus towards financial freedom and an opportunity to live independently away from the parents. Many parents also open bank accounts and also provide supplementary card to their kids to offer independence of expenditure. Most of the student credit cards require parents consent to offer a credit limit.

Student credit cards provide low credit limit as the students usually do not have credit ratings plus credit companies often suffer non-payment and bad debts problems with students. Due to high non-paying student population usually the interest rates are high on student credit cards. Student credit cards also offer various schemes to lure students towards more expenditure. Some cards offer cash-back offers at purchases from supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations. These cards also do not attract any annual fees on these cards. Free online account access and bill pay facility are other attractions attached to student credit cards.

A Student Credit Card offers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of financial freedom by having credit. It also teaches the value and responsibilities that go along with those freedoms and credit limits. This venture is although a risky option from the service providers like banks and financial institutions, but it also is the first step towards building good credit rating. It is also first step towards learning to use your credit ratings and credit limits wisely.

In some cases many students are unable to take advantage of the benefits offered by the banks or financial institutions because they carry a balance on their credit card from month to month, paying finance charges that can go up to a whopping 23 percent. Many find it hard to resist using the old 'plastic' for impulse purchases or buying things they really can't afford.

Student credit cards also offer various benefits to the students. Most of the student credit cards offer 0% introductory APR for first 6 months. These student credit cards also offer 0% liability to any unauthorized charges to the card that means if someone else uses the card there is no liability to the card holder. Usually student credit cards do not attract any annual fees moreover they also provide free online account management also.

Most of the student credit cards also carry reward point programs. The points earned for every purchase made can be redeemed for the gifts specified by the card company. Platinum student credit cards offered by some banks do not require any minimum income or co-signor for the card. Some student credit cards are exclusively designed for students enrolled at an accredited four-year college or university. These cards are universal entertainment student credit cards which not only have 0% APR for first 6 months for any purchases or cash advances but they also have no annual fees as well. These student credit cards carry reward point programs. The points can be redeemed for free CDs, DVDs, Movie Tickets, and much more. These student credit cards also offer free movie ticket with the card.

Other attractions with the student cards are for earning extra reward point for every dollar spent at restaurants, bookstores, record stores, movie theaters and video rentals stores. These points can be redeemed for gift cards, MTV events, and airline tickets, etc.

About the author:

Peter Sissons, Retired Bank Manager and Secured Credit Cards advisor - focusing on Student Credit Cards and Best Credit Card