According to a survey by U.S. News, more than 67 percent of college students have at least one credit card in their own name, with just under 10 percent having access to a credit card as an authorized user.

Meanwhile, 46 percent of students said they were already facing credit card debts before graduating college, with another third of students planning to apply for a credit card in the next six months.

Currently, more than 45 million people collectively owe $1.6 trillion, according to U.S. government data, with the typical undergraduate student now finishing school with nearly $25,000 in debt.

Among the 46 percent who have credit card debt, 27 percent said their credit card debt exceeded $2,000 whilst in education.

And, when asked what would happen if they paid a credit card bill late, almost a third correctly believe they’d get hit with a late fee, with almost half aware that the longer it took to pay their credit card bill, the more it would damage their credit rating.

However, undergraduates appear largely in the dark when it comes to their credit rating, with only one in five reporting that they understand how it is measured, while more than one in five admitted that they don’t know what a credit score is.

A credit rating is an assessment of the creditworthiness of a borrower—essentially, it measures how likely you are to repay borrowed money and pay your bills.

Organizations measure your credit score on a number from 0-850, with a credit score of over 700 considered to be good. Consumers typically fall between 600 and 750, with the average FICO score in the U.S. reaching 714 last year.

In general, the better your credit score, the more likely you are to be able to borrow larger sums in the future. It could be the difference between qualifying for an important loan, such as a home mortgage or car loan.

And, it often affects how much you’ll have to pay in interest or fees if you are approved for your loans, and could even impact your ability to rent if your landlord takes your credit score into account.

If you plan to take out a credit card to boost your credit score and help you through college, there are a few things to be aware of.

The first is to effectively budget your everyday expenses and ensure you can afford the repayments and can pay them on time.

Track your spending and set budgets based on your loan payment schedule or your pay schedule if you work while studying. Having a good financial foundation will help you stay afloat and stop the debt spiral before it begins.

You also want to ensure you have taken out the right kind of credit card to suit your needs. Most don’t come with annual fees, but interest rates will vary on specific applications.

Student-specific credit cards are a great option for those starting out, but keep in mind that the Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires borrowers under 21 years old to show they have the income to pay for purchases, or to have a co-signer.

If you have taken out a credit card, avoid maxing it out to ensure your credit score keeps growing.

Your credit score measures the amount of credit you’ve used compared with the amount of credit you have available, also known as your credit utilization ratio. Try to keep this around 30 percent or less to see your credit score improve.

Finally, ensure you are always monitoring your credit score, which you can do for free with numerous credit report sites.

Discover also has an intro offer where it will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

You need a credit score of at least 580 to access the card, with interest rates available between 15 and 24 percent, but you don’t need a credit score to apply for higher rates.

Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Chase offer their student credit card with a bonus $50 cash back after your first purchase, as well as 1 percent on everything you spend.

The card comes with no annual fees, and comes with a credit limit increase after you make five monthly payments on time within the first 10 months from account opening.

It also offers a $20 Good Standing Reward after each account anniversary for up to five years, and a free credit score service to help you stay on track.

You need a slightly higher credit score of between 670 and 850 to access the card with a low 17 percent interest.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One offer a student credit card with a plethora of cash back rewards on everything from dining, to streaming services, and comes with no annual fees.

Currently you can get 3 percent back in a range of dining venues, entertainment services such as Netflix, as well as grocery stores, excluding Walmart and Target.

You can also earn 8 percent cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal

The card offers 1 percent on all other purchases, as well as a $100 bonus if you spend $100 in the first three months, and you could earn $500 if you refer a friend and they are approved for a credit card.

There are also no foreign transaction fees if you plan to spend a semester abroad.

Interest rates vary between 16 and 26 percent, and you need a credit score of at least 580 to be approved for those rates.