---
title: The Most Dangerous Money Pitfall for College Students
description: Financial advisers explain why student loans are only part of the problem.
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published: '2016-03-22T16:35:31.000Z'
modified: '2024-03-18T14:34:27.000Z'
section: Education
tags:
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  - Student Loans
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word_count: 121
canonical: https://money.com/money-pitfall-college-students-debt/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
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![pitfall for college kids](https://img.money.com/2015/12/pitfall-for-college-kids-e1449700820140.png)

*In this series, [Tips from the Pros](https://money.com/topic/tips-from-the-pros/)*, *Money taps the collective wisdom of expert financial planners.*

It can be fairly simple for college kids to get their hands on a credit card. And while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, for some students it can mean graduating college with more than just [student loans](https://money.com/student-loans/) weighing on them.

Financial advisers say that they see a big problem: College kids rake up credit card debt because they don't understand what they're getting into.

Should college kids have a credit card? For emergencies only, financial advisers say. For a good night out? Stick to what you have in the bank.

Featured advisers:

-   Victoria Fillet [Blueprint Financial Planning](http://blueprintfp.com/Home_Page.html)
-   Allan Katz Comprehensive Wealth Management Group

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