<p>how did your kids apply for a credit card in their name? did you just go online and apply? </p>
<p>DS got an offer from his bank to apply for a credit card. We haven’t done it yet, and are still mulling it over. He’s handled his own money since he was 16, with both a checking account and a savings account, and a debit card tied to the savings account. Most of the time he gets paid using direct deposit, but he is an old hand at using the app to deposit birthday checks, etc. We have access to both accounts so we can transfer money in and out easily. </p>
<p>The only reason I can see for a credit card is to build up history and the added protection in case of unauthorized charges. If someone uses his debit card (which means they would also need his PIN) they could wipe out his account whereas his liability is limited if he uses a credit card. I guess it doesn’t hurt to have one so long as it’s one with no fee.</p>
<p>He will have to switch banks because I don’t think there is a Wells Fargo near him and he’ll want to avoid ATM fees if he’s withdrawing cash.</p>
<p>Our doctor just filled out his immunization records without a need for an appointment. We see a family physician so he can continue to go to the same doctors for as long as he wants. I don’t know when I stopped going in with him at appointments – maybe 16? I don’t remember since I can only recall one doctor visit in the last few years, aside from his routine annual exam.</p>
<p>Love these discussions about doctor visits and banking! I’ve been trying to figure out the bank issue too… my D would love to stay with her local bank, who she has a great relationship with. The only other options close to her campus are Bank of America and a small local MA bank.</p>
<p>If she stayed with her local bank, though, how would she deposit her work/study paychecks?</p>
<p>Question about scholarship etiquette!</p>
<p>I’ve been reading about all your kids’ scholarship awards here so I know you guys can advise on this. We did not really think D would receive any scholarships since she is not top 10% or anything… but she got a letter yesterday telling her she is the George Mitchell scholar for her school! We’re SOOOOO happy, it’s a recurring scholarship and will replace the Perkins loan she was going to be borrowing! Yay!!!</p>
<p>So what is the etiquette, if any? Does she write a thank you letter? Does she notify her school guidance office for any reason? Anything? This is a Maine scholarship awarded to one student from each public HS. There is a brunch in August.</p>
<p>We just have not idea what is expected. Thanks!</p>
<p>@staceyneil: S gets his work study paychecks deposited electronically. I think this is standard practice these days. </p>
<p>Thank you! That would certainly be helpful. So is that the case even when the work/study job is something like yard work or pet care for a professor (which I noticed on the work/study job list from last year)? Do the funds still come through the school?</p>
<p>@cakeisgreat We applied for the credit card where we bank (a local bank). D is the primary and I am the co-applicant. There are no rewards, but I figure she can apply for one of those cards herself after college.</p>
<p>@2014novamom I highly recommend a regular credit card for a college student, if for no other reason than to make online purchases (textbooks and textbook rentals). It’s really not safe to do that with a debit as those cards don’t offer the same protections. Older d currently uses hers for gas so she can pay at the pump, another place where you should really not use a debit because PIN doesn’t need to be entered and nobody signs. (Have a friend whose number has been stolen by card readers twice; nice to have the protection of a credit card.) We kept the limit low, and even then, the oldest has never even come close to it. </p>
<p>@staceyneil We deposit checks using our bank’s app. Just take a photo of the check through the app and deposit is made.</p>
<p>@ordinarylives Yes, the extra protection is certainly something to consider. He uses his debit card now to buy gas and online shopping so he is certainly at risk. But he is strategic in that he only keeps a small amount in the account tied to the card, and then just transfers money when he needs replenishment. I might just put him on our card for now just for convenience. </p>
<p>@calla1 and @2016BarnardMom - thanks for the input!</p>
<p>S14 was not permitted to go to the doctor without me until he turned 18, but we have not been since he turned 18. We have an immunization form to be filled out, but he can drop it off and pick it up later.</p>
<p>When he turned 18 we had to change his “Teen Checking and Savings” accounts to “College” accounts. With those accounts came the option of a low limit credit card so we got that. The plan is he will use it for things he needs at school, the bill will come to our house and we’ll pay it. It is in his name so he can build some credit history. I’m still trying to decide about the bank itself. We also bank at Wells Fargo and there are no branches where he’s going. I’m only concerned about withdrawing cash, he could still use the debit card to pay for things, but other ATM fees could be an issue.</p>
<p>An alternative is a pre-paid credit card (e.g. Visa Buxx). My daughter had this since middle school. We can manage it online and can transfer funds from Checking or from another credit card.</p>
<p>@staceyneil Congrats on the last minute scholarship! Our school wants to know all the scholarships earned by students (so they can brag, I guess) – just drop an email to the GC to let them know. Our school asked kids to enter them into an online database.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the etiquette, but if it is a big organization (e.g. corporate or government) providing the money and there’s a recognition brunch for a lot of recipients, I would think you could take care of a thank you in person. We have a number of “private scholarships” in our community where a family legacy or local club supports promising students each year. In that case, I’m sure a thank you letter would be appreciated by the family or club.</p>
<p>@dilecon Thanks about the heads up about the USAA switch from youth spending to secure checking. Looks like that happened automatically for my S and I didn’t even know it. I also like @2014novamom 's reasoning about the value of a credit card vs. debit card. Adding that to my to do list.</p>
<p>@staceyneil: Good question. If the school is the payer, it would be direct deposit. But if the professor is paying, I’m guessing not. But most likely every school is different.</p>
<p>I know Wells Fargo, and I suspect other large banks, will issue credit cards to students. Generally, it helps if they have a checking and savings account and some income (part-time job). The credit limits are pretty low (which is a good thing IMO) but it really helps to build credit. My S has mentioned how helpful it was to have a credit history buying a car and getting an apartment out of college. I also gave him one of my cards with a higher limit in case of a big emergency. Also, if they get stranded traveling, they need a credit card to get a hotel (unless airline puts them up). If they are taking a car to college USAA or AAA come in handy. </p>
<p>@staceyneil - Congratulations on D’s scholarship! What a great surprise!</p>
<p>catching up on everyone’s news – very interested to hear that WF offers students credit cards, overtheedge. Will need to set S up with something besides a debit card.</p>
<p>Just recovering from strep (both of us). Tried to tell S how to do this on his own when he’s at school – make the dr.'s appt, pay the copay, get the Rx, get it filled, take it til it’s done. And throw out your old toothbrush. I just realized nobody tells him that (to not use the one he was using when he got sick). I’ve got to believe it would just make you sick again.</p>
<p>Gotta think about getting Son '14 a credit card, too. He has a debit card, and it is tied to our family account, so I can put money on it anytime he needs it. His older brother also has his account tied to our family account, because he is going to law school in the fall, and likes knowing that if he ran short on money, we could help. He actually helped me the other night. We needed to buy plane tickets to visit my folks in SC. Older son told me to put them on his credit card, as he wanted the points. I did transfer the cost to him later in the week, so he has it when he pays his bill.</p>
<p>Classof2015: Illness is running through my home, too. Ten days ago, Son '14 wakes up congested, but figures it’s allergies. Two of his teammates complained that their allergies bothered them. So he does not think anything of it. Three days later, he’s pulling on his left ear and complaining about the pain. A doctor’s visit shows he has an ear/sinus infection. Goes on heavy meds. Probably affected him at his sectional track meet, where he finished second in the 1600 and 3200. (He’ll run the two events at states this weekend). He said that he was cramping badly during the 3200. Meds can do that, I told him. He’s not doing much today, although he did make dinner (hot dogs and turkey burgers) and went to the grocery store with me. But I, too, am battling an ear infection. Older son, who was home last weekend, has been hacking up a lung for nearly a week, but is starting to feel better.</p>
<p>All I know is that we need to get better … NOW!</p>
<p>Besides his final high school state track meet, Son '14 has graduation in eight days. We all need to be well for that weekend.</p>
<p>@momreads – good luck for states and hope everyone is well by graduation! It always seems so illogical to be sick when the weather’s nice and the sun is shining. I expect colds and illness in the winter months – not now.</p>
<p>
Our S-2011 had a credit card tied to his bank account that I was the primary holder and he was an authorized user as it was opened before he was 21. We visited the bank this morning to have me taken off the account and to have S as the sole party. Since he is now 21 the bank said it shoud be no problem. We will do the same with D later this summer before she heads off to school.</p>
<p>For anyone who has a HS 2015 S or D at home, don’t get excited but the Common Application for the 2015ers opens for business in just TWO months! And so the beat goes on and the cycle starts all over again.</p>
<p>Graduation- check!
Graduation party- check!
Dad and his wife gone - check!
Graduation party clean up- definitely have some things to do tomorrow. But first, I shall sleep 
</p>
<p>We prefer a credit card to debit for online purchase as well, due to the better protections.</p>
<p>We had been told when DS11 started college that the rules for credit cards for students had gotten much more stringent, and they wouldn’t qualify without a substantial income of their own, which is why we didn’t have him apply. But he’s been making very good money during his summer internships, so I’m hoping that applying during one of the internships will qualify him. </p>
<p>At orientation with S14 right now! exciting :)</p>