The Capital One® No Hassle Cash(SM) Rewards for Students is for students with a limited credit history who are looking to take advantage of the cash reward program. You'll earn a full 1% cash back on purchases, and a 25% bonus on all cash earned in the previous year. Cash rewards can also be redeemed for gift cards. There is no limit to the amount of cash back that can be earned and no minimum required to redeem for cash. This card has an average interest rate for purchases and no annual fee. Plus, there is a 0% APR on purchases until February 2008. This card offers a cash back reward program and an array of platinum benefits and services, which makes it an excellent choice for a cash back reward card. Cardholders are also eligible to receive exclusive savings: up to 40% on featured deals and 10% on everything else at Capital One® Saving Zone(SM) on Yahoo! Shopping. Review Date: 10/18/2007

The Continental Finance Gold MasterCard® issued by First Bank of Delaware, is a credit card designed for those with poor credit who would like a second chance. The main benefit of this unsecured credit card is that it reports to credit bureaus. This card has a very low APR of 9.75%, and it has an average annual fee of $27. It also charges a monthly maintenance fee of $10 ($120 per year). There is a one-time account set-up fee of $99 and a one-time program participation fee of $89. This means that the total amount of fees that a cardholder can expect to pay in the first year will be $335. However, this is comparable to the amount of fees that most cardholders with poor credit will be required to pay to have their account reported to the credit bureaus

The Orchard Bank Platinum MasterCard® is designed for those with an average or a limited credit history who would prefer a traditional credit card over a secured or prepaid card. This card does not have an application fee, but it does charge an average annual fee that is based on your credit history. This fee is very reasonable in comparison to the amount of fees you'd pay for most prepaid cards. The interest rate for purchases is average for this type of card, and standard cardholder benefits are also provided. In addition, cardholders can take advantage of a 0% introductory rate for purchases for six months. However, the best feature of this card is that it reports to all three credit bureaus.

The Orchard Bank Classic MasterCard® is for those with an average or a limited credit history who would prefer a traditional credit card over a secured or prepaid card. This card does have an application fee, which most traditional credit cards don't have, and it charges an annual fee as well, but these fees are very reasonable in comparison to the amount of fees you'd pay for most prepaid cards. In addition, cardholders can take advantage of a 0% introductory rate for purchases for six months. The interest rate for purchases is average for this type of card. Standard cardholder benefits are also provided. However, the best feature of this card is that it reports to all three credit bureaus.

The Orchard Bank Secured MasterCard® is ideal if you need to make transactions that normally require a traditional credit card, but you have trouble obtaining one. As with all secured cards, the available balance on the card for purchases must be secured through a bank account. Once you are approved, your credit limit is equal to the amount you are allowed to deposit to this account, which will be reviewed for increases periodically. You'll then be able to use the card anywhere a traditional credit card is accepted. This card does have a low annual fee, but there are no application or participation fees. In addition, cardholders can take advantage of a 0% introductory rate on purchases for six months. However, unlike prepaid cards, you'll still have to pay interest if you choose to carry a balance on this card, but the interest rate for purchases is average. Various cardholder benefits are also provided.

The Continental Finance MasterCard®, issued by First Bank of Delaware, is a credit card designed for those with poor credit who would like a second chance. The main benefit of this unsecured credit card is that it reports to credit bureaus. This card has an above average APR of 19.92%, and it has an average annual fee of $49. It also charges a monthly maintenance fee of $10 ($120 per year). There is a one-time account set-up fee of $99 and a one-time program participation fee of $89. This means that the total amount of fees that a cardholder can expect to pay in the first year will be $357. However, this is comparable to the amount of fees that most cardholders with poor credit will be required to pay to have their account reported to the credit bureaus.

The New Millennium Bank Platinum Visa®/MasterCard® is ideal for those with limited or poor credit who may be having a difficult time in obtaining a standard unsecured credit card. Unlike most secured credit cards, this card offers benefits such as auto rental insurance, up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, an extended warranty for purchases, free membership to TheWorldsBestTravelClub.com, and a free companion air ticket, which is awarded to you after you have been approved for the card. These benefits do come with an annual fee of $59, which is slightly above average for a secured card, as well as a one-time processing fee of $99.95. The APR that is applied to purchases is above average for a secured card, but this card does apply interest to the deposit amount required to secure the account, which is a nice benefit. It is important to note that there is no grace period for purchases, which means that interest will be applied immediately to any charges made with the card. However, if you are having difficulty in obtaining an unsecured card, this card does have a no credit check and a no turn-down policy.

Review The New Millennium Bank Gold Visa® / MasterCard® is designed for those with limited or poor credit who may be having a difficult time in obtaining a standard unsecured credit card. Unlike most secured credit cards, this card offers benefits such as auto rental insurance, up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, and an extended warranty for purchases. These benefits do come with an annual fee of $59, which is slightly above average for a secured card, as well as a one time processing fee of $69.95. The APR that is applied to purchases is above average for a secured card, but this card does apply interest to the deposit amount required to secure the account, which is a nice benefit. It is important to note that there is no grace period for purchases, which means that interest will be applied immediately to any charges made with the card. However, if you are having difficulty in obtaining an unsecured card, this card does have a no credit check and a no turn-down policy.

The New Millennium Bank Black Diamond Visa®/MasterCard® is ideal for those with limited or poor credit who may be having a difficult time in obtaining a standard unsecured credit card. Unlike most secured credit cards, this card offers benefits such as auto rental insurance, up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, an extended warranty for purchases, and a free companion air ticket, which is awarded to you after you have been approved for the card. These benefits do come with an annual fee of $59, which is slightly above average for a secured card, as well as a one-time processing fee of $149.95. The APR that is applied to purchases is above average for a secured card, but this card does apply interest to the deposit amount required to secure the account, which is a nice benefit. It is important to note that there is no grace period for purchases, which means that interest will be applied immediately to any charges made with the card. However, if you are having difficulty in obtaining an unsecured card, this card does have a no credit check and a no turn-down policy.

No matter how angry you get at yourself for having bought $10,000 in beer and pizza at 21 percent interest, don't cancel the college accounts after you transfer the balance to a lower rate card. "Just put it to the side in a safe place," says Linton. "You should keep it because keeping it is building credit history, good or bad. One of the things they look at for your credit score is how long you've had the cards open. If you cancel it after school it could bring the credit score down." If you're mired in credit card debt, the credit squeeze hasn't done you any favors. Not only is it tougher to get new lines of credit, but banks also are more reluctant to finance debt with fixed-rate loans. While using traditional methods to paying off debt may be more difficult than in the past, some are looking at a new way to pay off their credit card bills: social lending.