What happens once you are no longer a student?

[debitplease]

Looking at getting a student card and establishing a credit history/score.

When I'm no longer a student, what happens to the history on the credit card account? Can that same exact account history be applied to another type of card (say, a "regular" credit card)?

Or, do these companies force you to close out the account? If so, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of building a credit history?

Thinking of the Citi dividend Mastercard for students, if it would make any difference.

Thank you for your help.

[NightStar]

I don't know the answer to that, but you should be able to call in before you apply and ask them if a student card can be later converted to a regular card with the history intact.

[Paige]

The credit history that is created when you apply for a credit card remains with you even when you are not a student anymore. So the score that you earn by having a payment history, paying off on time etc. will not be taken away from you once you cease to be a student.

And when you are no longer a student, you can continue to hold your card. The point is that since the credit limit on student cards is lesser and the APR higher, than regular cards, if you have used your card wisely, you yourself will want to close out the student credit card and get a regular one.

Hope this helps.

[Lance90]

It was easy for me to convert a student card to a regular card - and my APR was reduced in the process because I had good credit at the time. I suggest you contact your bank.

[johns]

The student credit card records will remain in your credit history and you should be able to convert the card into a regular one.

[philip51]

I'm already not a student so I will renew my credit cards as a regular one if it is posible.

[jpmendez]

Your credit score doesn't entirely rely on your credit card so it doesn't really matter what kind of card you have. What matters is, how you pay your obligations. You can easily convert it to a regular one.

[twinkycowboy]

Your best bet is probably to open a new account with the same company and close the old one when the expiration date comes. You'll likely get a better rate and limit sticking with the same company, and you can continue to build on your good credit.

[finwiz]

when you are no longer a student, you can talk to CC company for a regular card and your CC score will get transferred there.

[frag88chick]

I had a student credit card while in college. It was easily transferred to a regular credit card upon my graduation. My APR was also pretty good, since I already had credit history with them.

[swisstyles]

Hmm.... I didn't know that you had to actually convert the student card to a regular card. I thought Student Card was just a label... didn't think it made a difference. That's good to know. I'm not enrolled now because i have an Associates, but am transferring for the Bachelor's. I got two years to go.

[alharits]

I'm already not a student so I will renew my credit cards as a regular one if it is posible.

Agreed with Philip51...

[cctom20]

I just wanted to add to this.

I received my Student Credit Card right before I started college. As long as you have a decent history of paying it off, etc, you can either keep it after graduation, or you may call up, and simply "graduate" to a newer non-student card. It's all up to you, and it depends on your issuer as well.

[killaking]

I got approved for a student card yesterday but i am already done with school just taking classes for the CPA exam, just got it to start a line of credit.