With the start of the school year just around the corner, this is a good time for college students (and their parents) to make sure their financial life is in order. A student credit card can be an important financial tool as college students head back to school. Of course, like all credit, student credit cards should be used responsibly. But with proper use, a credit card has many benefits for university life. Here are 10 of the top reasons every college student should carry a card.

1. Build Credit: Responsible use of a credit card can help build your credit history and credit score. It is important to begin building a credit history early, as it is one factor that goes into your credit score. This will become very important after college when you go to buy a home.
2. Emergencies: Like it or not, emergencies are a part of life. A credit card can cover an emergency situation, particularly for college students attending school far from home.
3. Convenience: If parents are providing some level of financial support, a credit card is a convenient way to do it. The bill can be sent back home each month and even paid online.
4. Teach Responsibility: Use of a credit card can teach you how to be responsible with credit and their money. Particularly if monitored by parents, a credit card is often the first major financial responsibility for young adults.
5. 0% APR Offers: Most student credit cards comes with 0% APR introductory rate offers on purchases. The Discover Student Card, for example, offers 0% interest on purchases through February 2009.
6. Free Gas: With the price of gas skyrocketing, any discounts on gas are particularly valuable to college students. At least one student credit card, the Discover Open Road Credit Card for Students, offers up to 5% back on gas purchases.
7. Shop Online: While there are alternatives to using a credit card, they offer the easiest way to shop online. And shopping online is important because it is convenient and a great way to save money.

If you are looking for other types of cards, be sure to check out all of our credit card offers.

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