I'm in Grad school and have about 3 years ahead of me. I was denied for 2 secured credit cards, and when I called for recon I was told that my DTI is too high. I said, I make over $36k annual, my rent is $875, my car is $200, and I have no other "real bills" so how can my DTI be too high? I was told it does not matter that the student loans are in deferrment and scheduled to remain that way for the next 3 years, they are required by the government to be considered.
Ok- so I can't improve my credit without credit cards, but they won't let me use my OWN money to secure a card because I will have to pay on student loans in 3 1/2 years??
Would somebody be willing to please just shoot me now?!?! 
I think the DTI is suppose to be under 45%. Kind of hard to know since no one knows your student loan balance. My best suggestion is go sign up with a credit union, they might be more lenient to that, because they generally have a section on the application on why you are gettingt he loan/credit card. If you state it is to rebuild credit, generally you will get the card, and they will overlook your deferred student loans. I was told by a loan officer at my credit union they look at deferred student loans, but they calculate it differently.
Starting Score: 565My student loan balance is $52,000. The woman I spoke with today @ my credit union says that they use Elan to determine card approval/denial. When I spoke with Elan underwriter, she said they understand that it sucks and that I am trying to rebuild, but the federal government mandates inclusion of deferred student loan debt.
I was not aware that there were options to reecive secured without a HP. I have called every bank and credit union in my local phonebook, even ones I don't have accounts with, and they all said they do the HP. Two of my credit unions- White Sands Federal CU and First Light Federal CU both said no because of the high DTI. But- both use Elan. My husband and I are also with Navy Federal CU, but they told me when I called that they use Elan as well, so I figured I'd stay away from the extra HP!! 
Thanks to the both of you for the advice!
I owe more on my student loan than you and I dont make much more than you and my DTI is 32%. Then again you have a car loan. I dont think it is only the student loan but a combination of both. Either pay down the car loan or the student loan. I would try to do this for the next six months. Patience is the key.
just a little advice, or look at other cards that others suggested,