Student Loans vs. Credit Cards
Credit Impact
Student loans and credit cards both show up as debts on your credit report. The difference is that credit cards are revolving debts, which means that they can fluctuate from month to month. Credit card payments will do more for your credit score than student loan payments, but defaulting on a credit card will also hurt your score more in the end. Most lenders will not care much if they see student loans on your credit report, but they will have issues if you have excessive credit card debt.
Borrowing Limits
Every student in America has a capped amount of federal student loans he or she can accumulate. This varies based on the type of school the student is attending (undergraduate vs. graduate) and the type of loan he or she gets. Private loans reach above these limits and can fill in the gaps that federal loans may leave. As a whole though, most students are eligible for more than enough money through student loans to cover their education costs, especially if they are able to secure scholarships and grants along the way.
With credit cards, on the other hand, your borrowing options are quite limited. Chances are that as a college student, you do not have enough credit to get a large limit on your credit card. You might be able to get one card with a $1,000 limit, but you won’t be able to do much more than that. If you need more money than what your available credit will allow for, credit cards won’t do you any good.
When Student Loans Work Best
As a whole, student loans are better than credit cards for college debt. They have higher limits, lower interest rates, flexible payment options, and less of an impact on your credit. Federal student loans tend to be more affordable than private student loans, but there are unique opportunities around every corner. You simply have to find the loan that is most affordable for you and make an effort to pay it back over time.
When Credit Cards Work Best
The only time credit cards work better than student loans for college debt is when you have a small amount of money to pay and you plan to pay it off right away. You might be able to get a no interest credit card that you can pay off the balance on within the intro period. In that case, you will be able to build a lot of credit and get out of your debt without paying any interest.
Final Takeaway
Before you even consider student loans or credit cards, try to get as much payment-free financial aid as possible. Apply for student grants and scholarships as often as you can to minimize your out of pocket expenses. Then consider the information above to determine the best route to take for your debt. With the right amount of evaluation, you should find the perfect solution for your education.
