---
title: Should Your Child Have a Credit Card in College? - Magnolia Federal Credit Union
description: You’re likely asking yourself this question because you know that credit cards can be extremely...
---

[Skip to content](https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college#main-content)

![Magnolia Federal Credit Union Logo](https://blog.magfedcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Magnolia_FCU_HORIZONTAL_RGB.png?width=600&height=200&name=Magnolia_FCU_HORIZONTAL_RGB.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

[All posts](https://blog.magfedcu.org/all)

 May 5, 2023

# Should Your Child Have a Credit Card in College?

 By  [Adam Serio](https://blog.magfedcu.org/author/adam-serio)  ·   2 minute read

Posted by: Adam Serio on June 23, 2020

When preparing to send your child off to college, one thing that may be on your mind is whether your child should have their own credit card.

You’re likely asking yourself this question because you know that credit cards can be extremely beneficial in certain situations. Yet they also have the potential to become financial burdens. To best answer, this question, begin by reviewing some reasons why your child should have their own credit card.

**Benefits of Having a Credit Card**

As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child. Throughout their lives, you’ve been able to provide for and protect them. Now that they are in college, you won’t be there to help them as quickly as before. That is where a credit card can provide peace of mind for you and your child.

- **Emergencies:** Should unexpected expenses arise, such as a car breaking down, a credit card would provide the ability to pay for repairs immediately. This is extremely helpful if they are unable to get into contact with you right away.

 

- **Supplies:** Students will need to purchase books and other materials for their classes throughout college. A credit card would ensure your child will not fall behind in their classes because they cannot buy the required supplies.

 

- **Credit History:** Time spent in college is an excellent opportunity for your child to build their credit history and score. This will be helpful when they purchase a car or begin looking for an apartment or home after graduating.

While there are many benefits to your child having a credit card in college, what is likely to keep you on the fence are the potential negatives.

**Credit Card Challenges**

It’s no secret credit cards can become tempting, especially to those without first-hand experience managing debt. You may be worried that your child will fall into the trap of frivolous spending or purchase items you wouldn’t approve of, such as expensive computers, phones, or even trips with friends.

However, college is when many young adults will open their first credit card, frequently without parents knowing. Being hands-on in their decision to get a credit card will allow you to help them make smarter decisions and understand the importance of managing their credit card use.

**Be Proactive With Credit Cards**

Being part of your child’s decision to get their credit card allows you to help them avoid the harmful pitfalls of credit cards. Aside from simply guiding spending and managing debt, there are two strategies to help keep spending under control.

- **Request a Lower Credit Limit**

When you help your child apply for their credit card, request a lower credit limit, such as $500. With a lower limit, your child will not be able to amass substantial debt and will have smaller, more manageable monthly payments. If they need assistance, the balance would be low enough to step in and help without burdening your own finances too much.

- **Open a Secured Credit Card**

A secured credit card acts exactly like a standard credit card, but with one key advantage. You or your child will put money aside with your financial institution to cover the balance of the credit card, for example, $500. If your child is unable to make the monthly payments, the financial institution will use the money set aside to make the payments. This is a perfect option for those just learning to manage credit card debt.

**We’re Here to Help!**

Not all credit cards are the same. Extravagant rewards-earning credit cards often come with high-interest rates and other hidden fees. These costs can lead to even more financial hardships. As a not-for-profit financial institution, Magnolia FCU offers low-rate credit cards without high fees. To learn more about our credit card options, stop by any branch location, give us a call at 601.977.8300, or email us at applyloan@magfedcu.org.

 

Did your child recently open their first credit card? Share your best tips on the process with us in the comments!

Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college)

## Related posts

[![Spending Wisely with Credit Cards](https://blog.magfedcu.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/Drive_Web_Studio/Accelerator/images/img-blog-card-default.png)](https://blog.magfedcu.org/2021/02/23/spending-wisely-with-credit-cards)

### [Spending Wisely with Credit Cards](https://blog.magfedcu.org/2021/02/23/spending-wisely-with-credit-cards)

[![Why College Students Should Consider Having a Credit Card](https://blog.magfedcu.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/Drive_Web_Studio/Accelerator/images/img-blog-card-default.png)](https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college-0)

### [Why College Students Should Consider Having a Credit Card](https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college-0)

[![Why You Shouldn’t Cut Up Your Credit Cards](https://blog.magfedcu.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/Drive_Web_Studio/Accelerator/images/img-blog-card-default.png)](https://blog.magfedcu.org/2019/11/18/why-you-shouldnt-cut-up-your-credit-cards)

### [Why You Shouldn’t Cut Up Your Credit Cards](https://blog.magfedcu.org/2019/11/18/why-you-shouldnt-cut-up-your-credit-cards)

[![Magnolia Federal Credit Union Logo](https://blog.magfedcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Magnolia%20FCU%20-%20HORIZONTAL%20-%20RGB.png?width=2700&height=900&name=Magnolia%20FCU%20-%20HORIZONTAL%20-%20RGB.png "Magnolia Federal Credit Union Logo")](http://Magnolia%20Federal%20Credit%20Union)

Proin eget tortor risus. Nulla quis lorem ut libero malesuada feugiat. Nulla porttitor accumsan tincidunt.

facebook-f icon linkedin-in icon twitter icon instagram icon

**Pages**

Home

Services

Portfolio

About

Contact

FAQ

Landing Page

Thank You

**Resources**

Blog

Watch a Demo

Academy

Webinars

Product Changes

Copyright © 2026, Magnolia Federal Credit Union

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Adam Serio",
    "url" : "https://blog.magfedcu.org/author/adam-serio"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-05-05T18:52:33.241Z",
  "datePublished" : "2020-06-23T05:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Should Your Child Have a Credit Card in College? - Magnolia Federal Credit Union",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.magfedcu.org/hubfs/Magnolia%20FCU%20-%20HORIZONTAL%20-%20RGB.png"
    },
    "name" : "Magnolia Federal Credit Union"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Article",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : [ "Adam Serio" ],
    "url" : "https://blog.magfedcu.org/author/adam-serio"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2020-06-23T05:00:00+0000",
  "description" : "You’re likely asking yourself this question because you know that credit cards can be extremely...",
  "headline" : "Should Your Child Have a Credit Card in College?",
  "image" : "",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://23190799.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23190799/Magnolia_FCU_HORIZONTAL_RGB.png"
    },
    "name" : "Magnolia Federal Credit Union"
  },
  "url" : "https://blog.magfedcu.org/2020/06/23/should-your-child-have-a-credit-card-in-college"
}
```