How to Choose the Best Student Credit Card

College students have a lot on their minds: exams, tuition, the rising cost of books, and their financial situation. Because emergencies sometimes arise, more parents are sending their kids off to college with a credit card in their wallet. This is usually a great idea; it teaches young adults how to manage their spending. But occasionally we hear horror stories of students who tanked their credit scores because of unchecked spending.

To help your student get the most out of their first credit card, look for features that will reward them for responsible spending. Some student credit cards are designed for first-time card holders. They come with low ($500) initial credit limits that increase over time to reward a pattern of prompt payments.

Other student credit cards offer reward points for purchases that students frequently make. For example, the Citi mtvU Platinum Visa for College Students offers 5% cash back for purchases from book stores, music stores, coffee shops, and DVD rentals. Those are things that many students spend their money on anyway, so they may as well earn some rewards for their efforts.

For students who frequently commute to and from their campus, the Discover Open Road Card for Students offers 5% rebates on gas purchases and car repairs. That little bit of pocket change can come in handy, especially with gas prices continuing to soar. Citi's Driver's Edge Visa for College Students also gives rebates on gas purchases, and extends the rewards to groceries and drugstore items as well.

If your student spends money at a wide variety of stores, Capital One's No Hassle Cash Rewards for Students card comes with an introductory 0% APR and 1% cash back for any purchase. Rewards are not limited to purchases from certain categories; anything the student buys with the card is eligible to earn reward points. Plus, students can earn unlimited points that never expire.

Most importantly, teach your college student to watch out for aggressive marketing tactics. Lenders entice students into applying for credit cards they don't need by offering .free. Ipods, game systems, clothing, pizzas, and all sorts of colorful incentives. Some of these offers smack of predatory lending; the cards have high fees and exorbitant interest rates that aren't apparent at sign-up. What seems like a good deal at first glance can be a real headache 6 months down the road. Go online to compare student credit cards and find the best, most current deal for your student.

Click here for a detailed list of credit cards for students.