Jerseygirl

Some credit cards charge a percentage surcharge on the amount of the overseas transaction.

tennesseestud

Happy to pay it, myself and my wife were turned down for our first apartment because I had no US credit score at all. I also pay double what SLC deem to be my minimum payment.

Once I pass the driving test I can run a line of credit for a car too. I've been doing DMV practice tests.

Point I think I'm making though is ... Your student loan can affect your credit here if used as an asset, if you use some of your credit for SLC. You have debt, which means people can make money off you which means they are more likely to help you.

I started with a secured credit card from US Bank, go for $500 or $1,000 limit and only use about half of it. Keep the balance below half the limit and sign up for Credit Karma and just work it slowly.