Credit Tips for College Students

Building good credit in college doesn't require a complicated strategy. In this Credit Corner episode, Ethan asks Ellen for her number one tip for maintaining good credit as a college student—and her answer is straightforward.

Get a credit card, use it sparingly, and pay it off in full every month. That's it. The power is in the consistency: a long track record of on-time payments, started early, compounds into a strong credit history that follows you well beyond graduation.

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Transcription

More in this series

• The most common reason credit scores drop
  1:14

• How to plan for your future and get out of debt in midlife
  1:47

• Why Your Credit Score Varies by Bureau
  1:35

• How Many Trade Lines Do You Actually Need?
  1:12

• Why Credit Drops Fast But Builds Slowly
  1:20

• Why Paying Off a Loan Can Drop Your Credit Score
  1:18

• Financial Literacy Class: Credit scores, budgets, and how to use both
  38:17

• What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Car?
  1:28

• The Best Credit Habit You Can Build
  2:11

• How to Start Saving for Retirement
  1:54

• How do you start a budget?
  1:25

• When’s the best time to pay your credit card bill?
  1:23

• Counter Offers Explained: We’ll Get You The Most We Can
  1:59

• Why Possible Keeps Loan Amounts Manageable
  1:27

• How Possible Decides Who Qualifies for a Loan
  1:48

• How to Fix Your Credit
  1:14

• What You Can Actually Dispute on Your Credit Report
  1:31

• How to Rebuild Your Credit After a Score Drop
  2:06

• How to Spot Credit Repair Scams
  1:13

• Can You Get a Loan or Credit Card With Bad Credit?
  1:31

• Overwhelmed by Debt? Here Are Your Options
  2:24

• Debt Consolidation vs. Bankruptcy
  1:40

• Are Debt Consolidation Loans Worth It?
  2:37

• Can Sold Debt Still Be Collected?
  1:48

• How to Use Credit Cards the Right Way
  1:30

• What to Know About Debt Relief Companies
  1:05

• How to Save for Holiday Spending Without Going Into Debt
  1:14

• Smart Strategies for Paying Down Debt on a Budget
  2:36

• Simple Ways to Build Credit Without Taking on Debt
  0:50

• Why Reading the Fine Print Could Save You Big Money
  0:44

• Why You Are Bigger Than Your Credit Score
  1:05

• What to Know About Starting Your Credit Journey
  1:05

• Three Smart Moves to Start Building Your Credit History
  0:54

• Why Not Everyone Has a Credit Score—and How to Get One
  0:34

• What to Do When You Can’t Afford Student Loans
  0:33

• Credit Cards Aren’t a Substitute for a Savings Account
  1:02

• Paying Interest to Build Credit History? Here’s a Better Way
  0:45

• Does Carrying a Credit Card Balance Help?
  0:27

• Can You Borrow a Down Payment? Reasons Why That’s a No
  0:48

• Should You Skip Your 401(k) Contributions?
  1:21

• You Are Not Your Credit Score
  1:05

• 4 Easy Ways to Check In on Your Money Right Now
  1:29