College is a time for learning, a time for development and a time for progression – and these things don’t just apply to your mind, they also apply to many aspects of your life, including your credit. One great way to build your credit is by applying for a few credit cards. By making timely payments, you will build up your credit score. Developing and maintaining a good credit score will benefit you in many ways in the future.  You’ll have an easier time getting financing for larger purchases like cars and homes and you can be confident that your good credit will help you, not only get approved, but secure the best possible interest rates on future lines of credit as well as future personal or business loans.

So what type of credit card should a student look for? The typical college student has no history of credit and will most likely be denied the credit cards with the best rewards, lowest interest rates, and other perks. But don’t despair, you still have three great options.

Try
You won’t know until you try. If you see a great credit card that you’re interested in, simply fill out an online application. We have compiled a list of instant approval credit card applications that will let you know if you’ve been approved in less than 60 seconds. So before you settle for something you don’t want, give this a shot.

Cosign
You can cosign a credit card with someone who has good credit, probably someone like your mom or dad. They’ll be 100% liable for any debt that you accrue, but the card will still have your name on it. You’ll increase your chances of getting approved, but the downside is this method will build your credit up slower.

Get a student credit card
Just a few years ago, when student cards first became popular, they were some of the worst credit cards you can imagine. Not only did they have ridiculously high interest rates of over 25% APR, but they had no rewards, low credit lines, and almost no useful features. Today, things are a lot different. Many student cards will come with generous  back rewards and 0% APR.