Following. My son needs one too. I've been too slow in signing him up
4:30pm on 3/11/26 by
VikeQueen
Do you have a military connection? NFCU has been good for my kids.
4:30pm on 3/11/26 by
Jennyhirsch
I added DS to my credit card but put a limit on what he could spend. That way he couldn't get in too much trouble me he was benefitting from my good credit score. Other option I looked into was a secured card: put down $500 to secure the card and then
4:35pm on 3/11/26 by
evamarie320
that's the spending limit too.
4:35pm on 3/11/26 by
evamarie320
Usually the advice is to get a starting card that has no annual fee so you can keep it open for the long haul without having to worry about the fee later. (Longer credit history = better FICO score.) The Discover IT Student card is often suggested.
4:47pm on 3/11/26 by
JJT (staff)
Once they get a year or two of good credit history and have proven to themselves they won't overspend and are are sure to pay it off every month, if want to step into the points world they might then go for a Chase Sapphire Preferred.
4:50pm on 3/11/26 by
JJT (staff)
While NFCUay not be an option for you, what I loved is that kids had their own separate 16 digit number and I could set their credit limit. When they went abroad, I temporarily upped their credit limit.
5:04pm on 3/11/26 by
Jennyhirsch
My DS got the Discover college card. We wanted him to start building his own credit.
5:11pm on 3/11/26 by
PrincipalTinker
I got my DS21 and DD19 Discover student as soon as they turned 18. No annual fee, great cash back and match for first year. They use for all purchases, pay balance in full every 2 weeks, and both have credit scores nearing 800
5:15pm on 3/11/26 by
Memphisgirl81
Thanks y'all!
5:16pm on 3/11/26 by
popupcamper
DS21 has the Discover student one too. She just pays it off monthly. It's been great, when she went to have her credit checked to rent an apartment they told her she had the best credit they've seen :)
5:37pm on 3/11/26 by
WendyMarie
5:56pm on 3/11/26 by
popupcamper
I've been looking at a Discover secured card for DS21 non student. Fine print says they evaluate after 7 months and convert to a regular credit card.
He is authorized user on my SW card so a backup for places that don't take discover.
7:30pm on 3/11/26 by
MarioMom
Good point @mario. Im trying to protect his debit card from fraud.
8:26pm on 3/11/26 by
popupcamper
DS started with the Discover Card. He's gotten really good at watching his cashback and then gets GCs sometimes making a little extra cash.
9:19pm on 3/11/26 by
youcanfly
Oh and no problem using at places most college students shop. Only issue I've ever had is Sam's club if I remember right
9:20pm on 3/11/26 by
youcanfly
I put DD on my cards when she was 7. At the time I let her use my SW since that was what I was prioritizing for points. It does not matter which one or if you even give it to them. Put them on a card asap it will help their credit history.
ay
10:04pm on 3/11/26 by
JackOfAll
Pay your CC bills before they post to keep your credit score higher. Posting $2k every month, even if you pay it off, is seen as carrying a debt of 2k.
10:07pm on 3/11/26 by
JackOfAll
Yeah @jack, he'll graduate soon so needs his own. He's not on my dime much longer. #moreadultsonlydisneytrips.
11:04pm on 3/11/26 by
popupcamper