The Link Between College and Credit Card Use

 Posted on February 28, 2014 in Bankruptcy

For many families, education is one of the biggest investments that parents will make for their children’s future. Even when some steps are taken to plan for this costly life goal, some expenses can creep up, leading parents and students to rely on credit cards to help. When credit card debt grows out of control, sometimes bankruptcy is the only option to get a fresh start.

According to Sallie Mae, between 3 and 5 percent of parents used credit cards to help pay for educational expenses for the years 2009-2013. In 2013, the average college student spent about $3,156 on their own credit cards, too. Whether it’s tuition, books, transportation, or other expenses, this credit card usage can add up.

When parents are already strapped for cash, they might get stuck only being able to make the minimum payment on their own credit cards. For students, often new to the credit card game and often with a very limited income, credit cards can add on to a massive amount of debt on graduation when coupled with student loans.

With some families, relying on that credit card for extras or emergencies is the only way to make it through an expensive venture like college. If there’s not a plan in place for repayment or if a family member loses his or her job, however, debt can spiral out of control fast.Relying more and more on credit cards can put both parents and students in a difficult financial situation, making it difficult to climb out and get a fresh start. If your family has been affected by an increasing reliance on credit cards while one or more students was working towards a college degree, you might feel trapped by more debt than you can handle. Contact a Texas bankruptcy attorney today if you need to start over.