College Students and Credit Cards: Cause for Concern?

The aggressive marketing of credit cards to students at colleges and universities continues to be an issue of concern to many in higher education. Educators and consumer groups are interested in knowing which groups of students are at risk for becoming payers with revolving accounts and high levels of debt. This study reports the results of a 1998 survey of 21 7 undergraduate students at a Southeastern university. The researchers found that revolving payers are more likely to be women, students of color, students with low socioeconomic status, and students with large numbers of cards. Additionally, men are more likely to pay their credit card debt in full. This study supports the growing concern among higher education professionals, parents, and students that financial counseling is needed on campus