How it Works

The Ambition Mastercard® by College Ave is the best of both worlds: like a traditional credit card, it offers cash back rewards2 and credit building benefits1. And, like a debit card, it curbs overspending and dodges debt.

It's a safe option to help students like you build your financial future.

Ambition Mobile App

1

Create an Account

As a student, it's simple to qualify: if you're a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident that's 18 or older, you're eligible for the Ambition Card3.

Making an account is easy. Start by creating an account using your email address and preferred password. After creating your account, sign in to add your personal information.

When you're finished setting up, you will have two accounts associated with your new card, a Deposit Account (where you will deposit money to set your credit limit) and a Credit Card Account (that you can use to make purchases anywhere Mastercard® is accepted).

Get Started
how it works

2

Set Your Limit

Download the mobile app to set your credit limit. Set and manage your credit limit by simply transferring your preferred amount4, 5 to your Deposit Account. You can do this by:

  • Setting up manual or recurring transfers from a linked bank account
  • Direct depositing a portion or all of your paycheck
  • Transferring from any external bank account, including those from a parent or guardian

Ambition makes it easy to connect to your external bank accounts through Plaid, but you always have the option to connect manually, by using account and routing numbers.

Scan to download the mobile app
Ambition App QR code
how it works

3

Manage Your Account

Once your money is deposited, you can start using your Ambition Card to pay for all your purchases!

You'll only be able to spend what you have in your Deposit Account4 (also known as your credit limit) with your card.

You can increase your credit limit at any time - log in to your Ambition Card account and add more money to your Deposit Account or transfer funds directly from your external bank account.

ambition mobile app

4

Pay Your Balance

At the end of your first billing cycle, you'll receive an electronic statement that outlines your purchase activity. You can view this in the mobile app at any time.

Be sure to make your payment on time. You can pay your balance by using:

  • AutoPay
  • Manual Payments
  • Payments from an external bank account
  • Funds from your Deposit Account

Remember to replenish your Deposit Account to cover future purchases.

How To Start Building Credit
how it works

5

Building Credit1

Credit Bureau Reporting

We'll report your positive payment activity to the three major credit bureaus each month - TransUnion®, Experian™, and Equifax®. It'll help you establish a strong credit history and with time, a credit score you'll be proud of.

Create an Account

Ambition Mobile App

As a student, it's simple to qualify: if you're a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident that's 18 or older, you're eligible for the Ambition Card3.

Making an account is easy. Start by creating an account using your email address and preferred password. After creating your account, sign in to add your personal information.

When you're finished setting up, you will have two accounts associated with your new card, a Deposit Account (where you will deposit money to set your credit limit) and a Credit Card Account (that you can use to make purchases anywhere Mastercard® is accepted).

Get Started

Set Your Limit

how it works

Download the mobile app to set your credit limit. Set and manage your credit limit by simply transferring your preferred amount4, 5 to your Deposit Account. You can do this by:

  • Setting up manual or recurring transfers from a linked bank account
  • Direct depositing a portion or all of your paycheck
  • Transferring from any external bank account, including those from a parent or guardian

Ambition makes it easy to connect to your external bank accounts through Plaid, but you always have the option to connect manually, by using account and routing numbers.

Download our Ambition Card app

Manage Your Account

how it works

Once your money is deposited, you can start using your Ambition Card to pay for all your purchases!

You'll only be able to spend what you have in your Deposit Account4 (also known as your credit limit) with your card.

You can increase your credit limit at any time - log in to your Ambition Card account and add more money to your Deposit Account or transfer funds directly from your external bank account.

Pay Your Balance

ambition mobile app

At the end of your first billing cycle, you'll receive an electronic statement that outlines your purchase activity. You can view this in the mobile app at any time.

Be sure to make your payment on time. You can pay your balance by using:

  • AutoPay
  • Manual Payments
  • Payments from an external bank account
  • Funds from your Deposit Account

Remember to replenish your Deposit Account to cover future purchases.

How To Start Building Credit

Building Credit1

Credit Bureau Reporting

how it works

We'll report your positive payment activity to the three major credit bureaus each month - TransUnion®, Experian™, and Equifax®. It'll help you establish a strong credit history and with time, a credit score you'll be proud of.

When a Good Credit Score Matters...

Establishing and building a positive credit history1 early will give you a solid foundation to achieve your future goals like:

Good Credit Matters

Whether you're looking to rent an apartment or buy a home, your credit plays an important role. Landlords will check your credit history to determine if you'll be a reliable tenant, and mortgage companies check your credit to gauge your ability to make mortgage payments.

While rideshare apps or public transit are great options, the reality is that many students will need a car to get around.

Car loan companies check your credit report to determine if you're able to pay for the vehicle, and at what interest rate. And, with strong credit, you'll be set up to get the best interest rate possible.

Most college students rely on some form of financial aid to pay for school, most notably student loans. And when those students have a gap in their financing, they often turn to private student loans to fill it.

If you do need to turn to student loans, but do not have a strong credit history, or any history at all, you'll likely need to rely on a cosigner to be approved. With a good credit score, however, you could bypass a cosigner and be approved for a loan all on your own.

Having a good credit score can lead to lower interest rates, saving you money in interest over time.

Ready to get started?

Start building a positive credit history1 with Ambition and download our mobile app from the App Store. Easily manage your new Ambition Mastercard®, right from your fingertips.

Footnotes

1

The Ambition Card is designed to help you build your credit history; however, a variety of factors impact your credit including payment history, utilization, derogatory marks, account age, total number of accounts, and inquiries—not all factors are equally weighted.

2

Cash back rewards are subject to the Ambition Rewards Terms & Conditions.

3

Must be a current or upcoming college student, age 18 years or older, U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.

4

Credit limit based on amount deposited into the Secured Deposit Account, up to a maximum limit of $2,500.

5

A minimum deposit of at least $50.00 is required to get started.

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Set sights on a brighter financial future by establishing a positive credit history easily and safely with Ambition Card.

Ambition Card by College Ave
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