6. Use Your Credit Card Regularly, But Responsibly
A credit card that is never used won’t help your score grow.
- Make small, regular purchases (groceries, Netflix, gas).
- Always pay off the balance before the due date.
- Avoid cash advances—they come with high fees and don’t help your credit.
7. Check Your Credit Score and Report Regularly
Monitor your credit to ensure accuracy and spot fraud.
- Get a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com (once per year from each bureau).
- Use free apps like Credit Karma or Experian to track your score.
- If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureau immediately.
8. Consider Alternative Credit-Building Options
If you don’t qualify for a credit card, try these alternatives:
- Become an authorized user on a friend’s or relative’s credit card.
- Use rent-reporting services (e.g., RentTrack, LevelCredit) to add rental payments to your credit history.
9. Avoid Closing Your Oldest Credit Card
The length of your credit history matters.
- Keep your oldest credit card open, even if you don’t use it often.
- Closing a credit card can reduce your credit history length and increase your utilization ratio.
If you no longer use a card, keep it active by making a small purchase every few months.
10. Protect Yourself from Fraud and Identity Theft
International students can be targets for scams and fraud.
- Never share your Social Security Number (SSN) or banking details.
- Enable alerts on your credit card for suspicious activity.
- Freeze your credit if you suspect identity theft.
- If you receive a fake IRS or loan scam call, do not respond—report it instead.
Final Thoughts
Building credit as an international student takes time, but responsible credit card use and on-time payments will help you establish a strong credit score. Start early, be consistent, and watch your financial opportunities grow! Got credit questions? Please share it on our community stories.