Q Where does my daughter go to get a credit card so she can start to build a credit record? She rejected credit card offers while in college, preferring to use a debit card to be sure she did not "overcharge" and take on unnecessary debt. It took awhile after she graduated but she now has a full-time job with benefits. She has applied for various credit cards but to no avail, and her last rejection included a form letter suggesting that she not apply for too many cards because that hurts her credit score.

Is there really a "Catch 22" where each time she applies for a credit card and is rejected her credit score takes a hit, making it even harder to get that first credit card? Are there things she can do to build a credit score that may qualify her for a credit card?

DONN, ROSEVILLE

A Go figure. It's one of the more bizarre aspects to our credit system that it's far easier for a young adult to get a credit card while in college and not making an income than it is after they graduate and are earning money. The reason is that credit card companies assume the parents will backstop the debt while the kids are in college, but that they are on their own financially after graduation. So, even though I advocate that college students emulate your daughter and use debit cards while in school, its sensible to sign up for a credit card during senior year.

But she has options. She shouldn't make multiple applications since too many attempts to get credit set off alarm bells that the applicant may be desperate for credit.

I would have her open checking and savings accounts at a credit union or customer-friendly bank. She's a customer. Her paycheck is automatically deposited into her accounts. She should talk to an official at the financial institution to see when and how she might qualify for a regular credit card. She should ask if taking out a personal loan -- assuming she has a good reason for doing it -- would convince the credit union or bank to issue her a card. Paying off a personal loan on time is one way to build a credit history.

An alternative is to take out a "secured" credit card. She'll open a special account with a bank or credit union that she'd like to do business with in coming years. Her credit limit is equal to or somewhat less than the amount on deposit. She'll make some interest off the security deposit (but not much). Secured credit cards typically come with higher fees than regular credit cards. She shouldn't have to pay the steeper fees for long. After showing a pattern of paying off her bills on time, she should be able to switch to a lower-fee unsecured credit card.

Department store credit cards and oil company credit cards usually are easier to get than other cards. But these cards usually charge higher interest rates if a balance isn't paid in full each month.

Chris Farrell is economics editor for "Marketplace Money." Send questions to cfarrell@mpr.org.