What Is Being Offered

American Express:

.Four roundtrip certificates to use anywhere Continental Airlines files in the 48 contiguous states Certificates cost no more than $100 each way.

.Up to 30 minutes of free long-distance calling every month for an entire year on MCI when using the credit card as a calling card.

.Free subscription to Connections, a college magazine mailed exclusively to student cardholders; every issue features a money management column and a variety of value certificates for use at popular restaurants and retailers.

.Waives the $25,000 minimum income requirement.

.Accepts unusual sources of money for verifiable income, such as scholarships, loans, workstudy and allowance from parents.

BayBank

.Waives the minimum income requirement.

.Accepts unusual sources of money for verifiable income, including scholarships and loans.

.Created a special $500 credit line in place of the usual $1000 minimum.

CitiBank:

.Income not considered as heavily.

Created special credit lines usually around $500.

.Offers half-off membership for International Student Exchange, a European discount travel program for college students.

.Offers an additionally $50 off already discounted airfare and percentage discounts on various hotels, restaurants, museums, theatres, language schools, etc.

Offers special discounts for various magazines and retailers.

.Offers a free college financial guide.

.Offers a $20 check from Mci if the credit card was used as a calling card when using MCI.

Discover:

.Waives minimum income requirements.

.Offers special merchant value-finder coupons that give percentage discounts with various airfares, travel agencies and car rental companies.

Chase Manhattan:

.Waives annual fee of $20 for the first year.

.Offers one flight voucher for a roundtrip U.S. Air flight. Discounted cost will be either $129 or $189, depending on whether the Mississippi River is crossed.