The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has voiced its concern at the high level of credit card ownership among students.
New figures show that one in five Irish students now possesses a credit card due to the introduction of specialised student credit cards by banks.
USI president Mr Will Priestley said he was concerned that the banks were offering credit to students who did not have full-time jobs with which to pay off their limits.
"The potential is there for students to find themselves in trouble very quickly, and we would strongly urge those applying for credit cards or to those who already have one to use caution."
His concern comes on the eve of the USI annual conference which starts in Ennis, Co Clare, today.
AIB and Bank of Ireland offer the student credit card, and there are over 25,000 cards in circulation in Ireland. The cards have proven most popular with students travelling abroad to places such as the US or Australia.
Mr Eddie Ryan, head of credit card marketing with Bank of Ireland, told The Irish Times that having credit cards made it much easier and safer for Irish students travelling abroad.
Both Bank of Ireland and AIB claim that students are prudent in their handling of the cards compared to full credit card holders.
Meanwhile the right to protest at the Irish visit of President Bush, the privatisation of Irish universities, and USI's financial problems are among issues to be debated at the congress.
The union will also elect a new president who represents more than 250,000 students in over 40 colleges in Ireland.
Other motions for debate at the four-day meeting include USI's support for the existing teacher-training colleges; its concerns about Mr Bush's recent pronouncements on same-sex couples; and the establishment of closer links between the union and SIPTU.