Thread: Discover student credit card requirements?

Since it seems impossible to contact Discover for help before you apply for a card, I figured I'd ask here. (If there's a secret email address or phone number, please tell me! The people at 1-800-DISCOVER aren't good for anything other than taking over-the-phone applications.)

Basically, I'm a student in community college, and I'm about to transfer to a university. I'm also a dependent on my parents' taxes, though I do have some income of my own.

(And before you say that there's no chance of me meeting the credit requirements for a Discover card, know that I have had a credit card co-signed with one of my parents for over a year, always paying perfectly, and my credit score is now over 700.)

Anyway, here's where I'm stuck:

First, when it asks me to put in my college, do I put in the college I'm *currently* in or the one where I'm going to actually be getting my degree from?

Second, in the Yearly Income, do I put my income (which is something but not very much) or my parents' income (since I am a dependent)? I'm not sure what they mean, and their question mark hover-tool-tip thing brings up a 404 page thing.

Thanks!

First, when it asks me to put in my college, do I put in the college I'm *currently* in or the one where I'm going to actually be getting my degree from?

To the best of my knowledge you should put the college you are currently attending at the time of the application.

Second, in the Yearly Income, do I put my income (which is something but not very much) or my parents' income (since I am a dependent)?

This is tricky question and unfortunately I do not know the answer. Some credit card issuers have almost circumvented the credit card reform student card requirements by allowing the inclusion of grants, scholarships, and parental contributions in figuring the income amount. I do not agree with that practice and imagine it will change but as of Feb. 2011 many issuers are doing it. Whether Discover does or not I do not know but I talk more about their cards here in my sponsored writeup about them:

Discover Student credit card review

If it were me applying, I would use my regular income amount (excluding the above items) even if it is low. Card issuers do not expect students to be making much and many reportedly have annual income requirements as low as $2,000 from what I have heard in the media.

Good luck,
CreditCardGuru

The Discover student credit card is only for students attending a four year university. I am currently attending a community college and recently applied for their student card. Instead of processing your application for a student card they process it for a regular card. Unfortunately I was declined due to a lack of credit history.

In more positive news, American Express accepted me for their Blue card. I would highly recommend an AMEX card, or a student card from Citi.