First time credit cards can be hard to get, especially for students with no income of their own. Here are some strategies which may make it easier:

• Try for a prepaid or secured card. Prepaid credit cards for teenagers are a great way for parents to start off building a child’s credit rating while keeping spending under control by prepaying a limited amount.
• Free student credit cards may be available from the bank where the student or their parent has a bank account.
• A joint card with a parent is a strategy used by some to get teenage credit cards, but the parent needs to trust the child not to overspend. I used this method with my daughter when she was working abroad and needed a high limit in case of emergency, which she couldn’t get on her own credit.