Predatory Lending, Preying on Arizona College Students and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

The increasing number of college students obtaining credit cards goes hand in hand with the fact that people in their early 20’s are among the fastest growing group of people filing for bankruptcy nationwide.  One of the fastest growing groups of bankruptcy filers in Arizona are college students and people in their early 20’s. Many college students worry that if they file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy that they will never be able to get another credit card. This is just not the case as most people who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy see a flood of credit card offers soon after they file.

Many college students in Arizona are on their own for the first time.  These college students at institutions such as ASU, UofA and NAU are experiencing managing their own money for the first time. Managing money is something that most everybody struggles with. Even people experienced in handling money find it more difficult to keep track of credit card purchases than purchases made with cash, checks or debit cards.  The convenience of their new credit card can quickly lead Arizona college students down the road of financial ruin from Flagstaff to Tempe to Tucson.

Credit cards companies make their money off of overlooked, late payments, high interest rates, and recently increased minimum payments. They prey of college kids and count on inexperienced credit holders (like college students) to make mistakes, not pay their bills on time, and to over-spend what they can really afford.  These factors make owning a credit card even more difficult, especially to college students and other new credit card owners. The credit card bills in the long run, become less manageable than the college student initially expected they would be.

It is a common misconception that if you’re currently enrolled in college or a school program, you’re not allowed to file for bankruptcy. This is just not the case. Current federal Bankruptcy laws only require that a person considering declaring bankruptcy be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Arizona or the state where you are filing for the majority of the last 180 days, and be capable of making the choice to declare bankruptcy voluntarily.

If you are a current college student at Arizona State University in Tempe, near Phoenix, the University of Arizona in Tucson, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff or another college in the State of Arizona with more credit card debt than you can handle, consult an attorney who specializes in bankruptcy law.  An experienced Arizona Bankruptcy attorney will know the best way to eliminate the credit card debt you gained at school and allow you to concentrate on the degree that you earned at school.

For more information about filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, bankruptcy, planning or filing for bankruptcy, contact one of our bankruptcy lawyers and speak to any of our experienced attorneys near Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson, Flagstaff or anywhere in Arizona. Contact one of our regional offices. It’s time for a fresh start.