1. Student Cards

Winner: Citi mtvU Platinum Select Visa Card for College Students

Forget the free T-shirts and alma mater-branded cards. Many card issuers' "student" credit cards aren't much different from any other regular card out there, says Linda Sherry, spokeswoman for Consumer Action, a consumer advocacy organization. "It's a difference in marketing," she explains.

Take the Blue and Blue for Students card from American Express: They're identical, according to AmEx spokeswoman Desiree Fish.

But here's one student card that really does make the grade: the Citi mtvU Platinum Select Visa Card for College Students. The card rewards those who do well in school (you get 2,000 bonus rewards points twice a year for a 4.0 GPA, 750 points for a GPA that's 3.5 or higher, and so on). You also get 25 bonus points each month that you pay your bill on time and don't go over your credit limit, and five points for each dollar spent on textbooks. (Click here for a table with more card details and links.) "It's a unique card that, at least on the surface, encourages students to use it responsibly," says Curtis Arnold, founder of card information Web site CardRatings.com.

For more student credit card recommendations and tips on using them wisely, click here. And for a table with details on the credit cards, click here.