DeShawn had done everything right. Honor roll at Aurora Central, working 20 hours a week at a sporting goods store on Alameda, saving money every month. He had $1,400 in his account the day he turned 18.
Then he tried to rent an apartment with two friends for their freshman year at CU Denver. The landlord pulled his credit. The score came back: 0. No credit history. No file.
He had the money. He had the job. He had the grades. But in the eyes of the credit system, he didn’t exist.
DeShawn’s situation is not unusual. Most Aurora seniors graduate with no credit history, not because they’ve been irresponsible, but because no one taught them how to start. The good news: building credit before graduation is entirely possible, and the steps are straightforward.
Can High School Seniors Build Credit Before Graduation? Yes. Aurora seniors (Class of 2026) have several tools available right now. According to FICO’s 2025 score analysis, the average Gen Z credit score is 676 — 39 points below the national average of 715. Starting before graduation changes that trajectory. |
Why Starting Early Changes Everything
According to FICO’s 2025 data, Gen Z carries an average credit score of 676 — 39 points below the national average of 715. A 2025 USAA financial literacy study found 45% of young adults do not understand how credit scores are calculated.
That gap has real consequences: higher interest rates on car loans, difficulty qualifying for apartments, and less leverage with lenders. Seniors who start at 17 or 18 enter adulthood with a meaningful head start over peers who wait until their mid-20s.
The Cost of Starting Late Starting credit at 18 vs. 25 means 7 fewer years of credit history. Credit history length accounts for 15% of your FICO score. A thin credit file can mean: higher car loan rates, apartment rejections, and higher insurance premiums in some states. Source: FICO Score Factors — myfico.com |
Four Ways Aurora Seniors Can Start Building Credit Now
1. Become an Authorized User on a Parent’s Account
If a parent has a card with a positive payment history, being added as an authorized user can establish a credit file immediately. You don’t need to use the card — the account history transfers to your file. Experian explains this process in detail
- Ask a parent to contact their card issuer and add you by name and Social Security number
- The account history (payment record and credit limit) appears on your credit report
- Best used with accounts that have low balances and no missed payments
2. Open a Secured Credit Card
A secured card requires a cash deposit ($200–$500) that becomes your credit limit. Used responsibly, it builds payment history fast. The CFPB recommends secured cards as one of the most accessible starting points for young adults with no credit file.
- Look for cards with no annual fee
- Pay the full balance every month
- After 6–12 months, many issuers convert to an unsecured card and return your deposit
3. Apply for a Credit Builder Loan
A credit builder loan is designed for this situation. Instead of receiving money upfront, you make monthly payments into a savings account. At the end of the term, you receive the full amount — and you’ve built a payment history in the process.
The District Credit Union offers credit builder loan options for Aurora members. Learn more at districtcreditunion.com
4. Make Sure Your Payments Are Being Reported
Not all accounts automatically report to credit bureaus. The CFPB’s guide to building credit outlines options for getting non-traditional accounts included in your credit file.
What The District Credit Union Offers the Class of 2026 DCU members who are 17 or 18 years old can access:
Aurora seniors: building credit and savings work together. Start at districtcreditunion.com or call 303.360.0987. |
The Three Rules That Make or Break Your Credit Score
Rule 1: Never miss a payment. Payment history is 35% of your FICO score. Set up autopay so you never miss a due date.
Rule 2: Keep your balance low. Credit utilization is 30% of your score. Keep balances below 30% of your limit. Below 10% is better.
Rule 3: Don’t open too many accounts at once. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Start with one card or loan and manage it well. See myfico.com for a full breakdown of the five score factors.
Credit Checklist for Aurora High School Seniors
Before graduation (Class of 2026):
- Check your credit file at annualcreditreport.com (the only federally authorized free report site)
- If your file is empty, choose one starting method: authorized user, secured card, or credit builder loan
- Set up automatic minimum payments on any new account
First 12 months after opening credit:
- Pay on time, every month, without exception
- Keep utilization below 30% at all times
- Review your credit report for errors and dispute through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion
- Do not close your first account, it anchors your credit age
What to avoid:
- Store cards with high interest rates and low limits
- Applying for multiple cards in a short period
- Missing a payment to ‘see what happens’, can drop your score 60–110 points
Sources and Resources
All sources verified March 2026:
The Bottom Line
DeShawn had the work ethic and the savings. He just needed the history. He opened a DCU credit builder loan that fall and had a credit score of 690 by the time he signed his first apartment lease the following spring.
The Class of 2026 has time on their side. Starting now, before graduation, before the first car payment, before the first apartment application, is the single best financial move Aurora seniors can make this year.
The District Credit Union is here to help. 751 Chambers Road, Aurora, CO 80011 | 303.360.0987 | districtcreditunion.com