helpmeplease123

I'm a first year grad student and I want to get a credit card and start building up a credit score so I can actually get a decent one at some point (tried at Chase but it's taking forever, no one knows what they're talking about and i'm getting fed up with them)... Any recommendations on a first time card that has high approval rates? I'm not eligible for a SSN.

Thanks!

retzie

A credit union is a good idea. You're in CA, no? I know of someone who still banks with Golden 1 years after opening an account at the start of grad school. (Not sure if he had an SSN at the time, though.)

Guindalf

I know someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought EVERYONE was eligible for an SSN. You may not be eligible to work, but that doesn't exclude an SSN. My first card had "Not valid for employment" on it.

AFAIK, all credit scores are worked from an SSN, so without one, you have no chance!

sir_eccles

Everyone with the proof of status required to apply for one can get one. Others have to make do with ITINs.

This is the sticking point.

Wibblypig

I opened a secured credit card with Wells Fargo when we moved over, I don't have a SSN, it was quite simple. I had been in the country for less than 24 hours

The only thing is without a SSN you won't build a credit score other than with the individual bank you have the card with!

helpmeplease123

Thanks for the replies!

I have a chase bank account and debit card, just having trouble getting their credit card and it's getting to be a really long process, so looking for alternatives.

According to my school i'm only eligible for a SSN with a job offer and since I don't have one (and I don't plan on getting one right now) I can't... although the point of getting the card was to build my credit score and if I can't do that without the SSN I guess getting the card is irrelevant!

Bob

You don't say what your status in the US is. If you're F1 student visa you can get a SSN.

Easiest way would be just to be a co-signer on a parents account, it seems to be what most folks here do.

helpmeplease123

Thanks for your reply. I am on an F1 - I am eligible for a SSN IF I get a job but I don't have the time to do that until the summer. I can get card on my boyfriends account but my only reason for getting the credit card, rather than continuing to use my debit card was to build my credit score - which you don't as a cardholder on someone else's account right? If the score is tied to your SSN anyway looks like i'm stuck til the summer.

Bob

Get a part time job, get SSN, quit job. Sorted. It's not like you've got to give notice anyway.

helpmeplease123

In my first semester though - I thought I can only get on campus jobs at this point? Not sure I want to piss off the school by doing that!

Bob

If you're on your first semester, you can't even work, so never mind

Michael

That sounds incorrect. Even school counsellors sometimes get information wrong. I've never heard of a social security office ask someone for documentation that they have been offered a job but only documentation (your visa) that allows you to work. I'd go to a social security office and apply for a social security number and not mention anything about a job offer and see if they will issue you one.

RICH

You don't need a credit card to build a credit score, you need a credit score to get a credit card. Get the electric/phone bill in your name (by giving a deposit) & pay with your bank account for a while.

I had a bank account and a ssn, but other than a secured card it took almost a year to get a real credit card.

If you can't have a SSN, I don't think anything stops you from applying for a ITIN, but not sure on that, or if it helps.

Bob

That doesn't actually build you any history. Utilities only report negatives such as late payments, they don't post anything else that'll help build up a history.

RICH

Fair enough. I'm no expert, but the utilities certainly "run a credit check" to determine if you need a deposit or not. That in itself is a transaction that adds to or establishes your credit history (may not effect your score)
And I don't think you need a SSN to have a utility bill. That said, you might as well use the deposit money towards a secured credit card.