BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- College students have been targeted by credit companies for years, many times putting them in debt at a young age.

But now under the federal law, Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act which went into effect Monday, it will be more difficult for those under 21 to sign up for a card.

Daniel Grant, a student at CSUB, said he wished somebody would have told him about the dangers of credit cards. He got his first card when he was 18.

"Too young, definitely too young. I was inexperienced, didn't know what I was doing, I didn't handle it the proper way but now I'm older and much wiser," he said.

Under the new law, anybody under the age of 21 must have a co-signer or show proof of an independent income before signing up for an account.

It will also be illegal for banks to solicit business within 1,000 feet of a college campus.

John Emery, dean of CSUB's School of Business and Public Administration, said these rules and regulations should have been implemented years ago.

"I hate to say we need to create legislation or regulations to protect us from ourselves, but I often feel that young adults, which college students are for the most part, have often not had the life experience or sophistication so they may make choices in retrospect are not the best choices," he said.

Student Isaiah Ramos has stayed clear from getting a credit card.

"I don't want to put myself up in any debt that I can't pay off," he said.

But not every college student has the power to just say no to credit card spending.

Emery said that's why it is important to start educating students about the pros and cons of using credit cards starting in high school.

"The practices just seen to be predatory. That doesn't mean that there isn't an appropriate place for credit cards in our society. They are convenient and that type of thing. If you make a practice of paying balances off or managing it very carefully they can actually add a lot of value," he said.

Also included under the CARDS Act:

-The credit card issuer must give a 45 day notice of an interest rate hike or changes on the account.

-Statements must be issued 21 days prior to the payment due date, which will be held the same date every month to help the customer avoid late fees.

-Companies cannot raise rates on existing balances.