Module Code:PM002 2T
Class/Group: Group 3
Module Title:Research Project
Assessment Title:Proposal
Assignment Title: An investigation into the factors that influence students’ credit card usage
Tutor Name: Debbie Hinds
Student ID Number: 2171360
Date of Submission: 2nd March, 2015
Rationale
Nowadays, it seems that trading method tends to be cashless, credit card as a pattern of payment allows a purchaser to buy a product or service instantly even if the purchaser does not have the money at hand (Foscht et al., 2009:325). In modern world economic systems, an increasing trend of transactions proceed via credit cards (Geanakoplos and Dubey, 2010:153), which is no exception for students. Firstly, they have powerful purchasing ability. According to Blankson et al (2012:568), College students have purchasing power of $200 billion annually. Recent data indicate that 84% of undergraduate students have a credit card, and the average number of cards held per cardholder is 4.6 (Mae, 2009, cited in Robb, 2011:690). Moreover, half of the students have at least four credit cards with an average total debt of $3,170(Hancock et al., 2012:369). Credit card debt levels of this dimensions indicate that a large number of college students use credit cards as a source of short-term revolving credit, being called installment users (Robb, 2010:824). According to Robb (ibid), previous research has identified two different types of credit-card users: instalment user and
Throughout the extract, “Strapped,” author Tamara Draut notes why today’s young adults have complications getting financially ahead. Along with student-loan debt, today’s college students may also leave with the burden of credit card debt. Draut argues that college campuses aren’t sufficiently regulating card companies on campus, therefore putting their students at risk for debt.
James D Scurlock’s “Maxed Out” focused on the revolving use of credit cards to charge now and pay later and the fact that once the credit card was maxed out another one was sent from the credit card companies and the whole process begins all over again. Scurlock’s essay made the reader aware of the downfalls and hardships that can occur when credit cards are constantly used for purchases compared to Kevin O’Donnell’s “Why Won’t Anyone give Me a Credit Card”.
Since credit cards have become easily accessible on campuses, students can find themselves in financial distress very quickly. The conflict with credit card use is that it has created a distinct way to generate instant gratification among consumers, specifically young borrowers. Due to this point, students have become an easy target for credit card offers. With heavy solicitation from financial institutions and retailers, students are given quick access to funds with little education of how interest accrues, fees associated with cards, and the lasting effects on their overall credit. Since solicitation is used on college
3. Many college students may be working with credit or debit cards for the first time in their lives, and without proper
Many colleges and alumni groups have a stake in marketing to students. One would like to think that colleges operate solely under the best interest of their students. For the first time in U.S. history, student debt has surprised credit card debt; the amount of outstanding student loans is expected to exceed $1 trillion in 2011, according to the Project on Student Debt (Sourcebooks 2011). With the growth in number of college applicants over the past decade, universities and colleges seem to be capitalizing on market principles by charging what the market will bear. This brings satisfaction to university presidents and leaders and allows for additional school expenditures. Many students would not be able to afford their college expenses without the use of student loans and credit cards.
I the article, “The Credit Card Company Made Me Do It!” -The Credit Card Industry’s Role in Causing Student Debt” by Carlos Macias. What Carlos writes about is how much College students go in debt when they use credit cards. He talks about how credit card companies prey on students who are in college because they don’t know what how to handle a credit card. He wrote in the article, that the industry makes billions of dollars in profits, and many students are drawn in by the advertising credit card companies use to make college students feel like its easy for anyone to own a credit card. He even said students may even feel pressure from family, peers, and themselves to be responsible adults and try not to live off their parents. Carlos also
In “Strapped,” author Tamara Draut explains why today’s young adults have trouble getting financially ahead. Along with student- loan debt, today’s college graduates also leave with a higher risk of credit card debt than previous generations. Draut argues that college campuses aren’t regulating the card companies on campuses, therefore not protecting their students. She reasons that a problem on college campuses across the nation, credit card debt, has spun out of control by credit card pushers leading students into debt and feeling financially held back.
On a periodic basis, the Federal reserve releases key statistics related to credit card debt in America. With almost 2,000,000,000 credit cards in use while in the hands of almost 200,000,000 individual credit card holders, there is no denying the popularity of these little pieces of plastic. Through May of 2015, Americans were responsible for $901 billion in credit
Credit card is a major problem for college students in the US because it can easily get out of control. When a student gets himself into trouble with a credit card because of huge debts it becomes harder to pay off all the amount of money you owe to the bank. For example if someone get $5,000 of debts and the credit card carry an average rate of 18% percent and this person only makes the monthly minimum payment of $100, it would take 8 years and cost nearly $10,000 to pay the card off. Many students find the lure to buy now and pay later tempting very tempting but it’s a bad approach if you want to successfully manage your credit card. There’s a lot of dangers lurking behind that kind of mentality. College students should be careful with credit cards because it is easy to get into debts that can last a long time, furthermore college students who have been informed about credit card management should be able to handle one.
Financial literacy is essential in living in today’s society, therefore it should be taught at a young age because people have been going bankrupt more than ever before. According to Kelly Walsh, “Students between ages 18-25 have at least one credit card. By the time they graduate half of them have four or more credit cards that have an average balance of $3,000” (Walsh). If students were taught at a younger age how credit cards actually work; they would better understand the consequences of debt. For instance, if students were to research different credit
First, we must blame ourselves for letting this debt build up. It’s so easy to just say “charge it” and deal with the money later. It’s so much more convenient to use a credit card then using our cash. In the April 2005 issue of University Wire, Dr. James Roberts conducted a study about the spending habits of students around the country. He found that students who used credit cards to pay for their books weren’t able to tell within $30, $40, or even $50 dollars of how much they spent compared to the students who used cash and were able to tell within a few dollars how much they
Money is a necessity in life and is a constant worry for college students especially when you take out a $10,000 loan. Financial aid has replaced studying as the biggest worry for college students. The objective of college is to learn and grow as a person, but is limited by financial capabilities which is a big problem for the U.S. education system and prices continue to go up. Main focus is having to focus on rigorous studying, students may also have to work to stay in school. A student is paying college through a $10,000 loan and working a part time job 20 hours a week. John wonders if getting a credit card will help him financially. The best solution is to attain a credit card that has student benefits included and will make it easier to protect and keep track of your money.
Whilst a critical part of consumer spending, credit card companies are constantly accused of malicious legal contracts and schemes to increase profits. Without heavy regulation, these companies have the power to bankrupt millions of Americans that rely on credit cards in their daily lives. However, after the introduction of The Credit Card Act of 2009, these accusations represent an inability to accept responsibility for financial blunders on the consumer’s behalf. Due largely in part to the government’s strict regulations, credit card companies should not be at fault for the student credit card debt crisis. Credit card companies remain blameless for student credit card debt as a result of
In today’s economy, cash or a credit card is needed to meet the basic human needs. It is an apparent fact that we need cash or credit cards to purchase items such as food, clothing, and to buy gas. Also, when you are out shopping and discover that you have used all the cash in your possession, it is then that you realize that the advantage of having a credit card. Furthermore, with cash, you are restricted to the amount in your wallet or purse; however, a credit card allows you to pay for your purchase at a later date. Both cash and credit cards can be useful when you manage them wisely. While cash and credit cards are similar in that they both are readily accessible, used for goods and services at the time of purchase, they are dissimilar because of theft, high- interest rates, identity theft.
The question of whether credit card companies should market on campuses or not, brings many different opinions, some of which are driven by personal experience and some that are driven by profit. There are those who do not agree with this because they know what they have gone through with credit card debt. There are also those who say they should market on campus because they are adults and contribute to the company’s profit. Even though students are adults and need to earn credit, credit card companies should not market to college students on campus because they are too naive and this results in graduating with too much debt.