Though a standard unsecured student credit card is available to high schoolers nowadays, it is at college that young people make their first financial decision independently from parents. The first responsibility comes with the need to choose the right plastic from a great spectrum of equally attractive offers.

Student offers are normally spiced with various bonuses, advantageous features and striking rewards which often drive the youngster into impulsive application decisions. The hassle or negative consequences of choosing a card would be avoided if a student knew the basic points to look at when doing a search.

The choosing tips discussed further on may not be something utterly new for students who received some financial education at school or from parents, but they will be of great use to those who dream of a bank card and know no more than just its purchase power.

The first thing to pay attention to is the student card's introductory rate offer. Most of the deals come with 0% APR on purchases for as long as 6-12 months. This is a great opportunity to save because as long as you pay all your balances in full during the promotional period, you will not be charged any interest at all. It means you don't pay the bank the price for using their credit line and services.

Smart college students will not overlook another important feature on their first plastic. It is the standard ongoing rate that follows the introductory period. If it is not going to be a short-term deal, the ongoing APR will determine the overall cost of using the card. Oftentimes, the ongoing interest rate is much higher than the teaser rate, which means once a student carries a balance, he/she faces hefty charges and risks falling into debt.

Financial experts advise young adults to choose a lowest APR possible. The best way is to go online where all the latest student card offers can be found, compared and applied for.

Knowing the card's APRs is not enough to make a truly reasonable application decision. Sometimes, rates are underestimated, with greater preference given to the tempting free gift offered by the company to a college student for signing up. There's no sense getting on the hook. While this free gift is something junk that can be obtained for a dollar amount value, it may draw you into a business which is leastwise unprofitable for you. There are thousands of cases when a college student was taken in by a t-shirt and signed up for a card he could not actually afford with his current paying capacities and spending patterns.

Student card rewards, such as cash back or points, might be a good deal, but keep in mind you'll generally be charged a higher interest rate for the ability to collect and redeem them. This is not always the case though. There are some offers out there that would charge a reasonable rate or even 0% intro rate despite the lucrative perks. A student needs to make a careful search online to find the best combination of rates and rewards.

And the last tip for choosing the right student card. Apply at a nationally recognized bank, which will ensure a fast and secure way to building a solid payment history. Search at Citibank, Capital One and Discover. Evaluate their best prices and first-class services to make sure of their propriety for your first-time credit deal.

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