College bookstores do accept credit cards for purchases. Whether the bursar accepts credit cards is something you'll have to check on at your son's school. Make sure you have a long talk with your son about the credit card and how it is to be used. There are numerous tales of woe from parents who found out too late that the student thought that concert tickets, **** and designer clothing were "emergency" expenditures, thus running the card up to the limit. Be clear about the use of the card and monitor it closely.