Hey there -- dont get discouraged! We all get denied some time or another...
Who did you apply for a secured card with? Did you recon?
Are you a memeber of a CU?
Are you an AU on anyone's account?
Have you tried shopping cart tricks with any store cards?
How about a secured loan from a local CU?
Starting Score: 526 EXP 09/2012 600 FICO 10/2012 608 EX (lenderpull)11/2012 
You will need to keep cleaning your reports, and like has been said before, don't get discouraged. You will get there. A CU is sometimes a good option, it basically depends on the particular CU. A recon is where you contact them and ask them to reconsider. You explain your situation and how you are trying to improve your finances and creditworthiness and ask them for a second chance.
July 2013 score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
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Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!
June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.
@bmblbg wrote:I applied with US Bank and with a small local bank- both on their online applications. I don't know what recon is. LOL
I am a member of a CU, but I was told by their card services that I had to have no collection accounts to qualify with them and not to waste the inquiry.
I am not AU on anyone's account, and my family has made it clear that is not an option.
Shopping cart tricks??
I have not thought about a secured loan, but I will look into that.
U should definitely recon with the small local bank. Go in or call -- just tell them u rebuilding and wuld be comfortable at a small limit to start and looking forward to building a relationship with them, yadda yadda....
Does the CU that you're a member of offer secured cards? U mention card services, but werre u talking about unsecured with them?
Being an AU on someones account a quick way to establish history, but if u cant, its not the end of the world .
Shopping cart tricks --- put it in the search box of the credit cards side of the forums ---itll tell u all about it. Simply put items in ur cart on a "participating" retailer and when u go to check out & enter ur personal information, u will get a pre-approved pop-up IF YOU QUALIFY. it doesnt hurt to try, its a soft pull. if nothing pops up then ur not approved. Simple.
Secured loan -- yes, that may be a good way for u to establish credit, but it might be harder to get than the secured CC, idk.
And anothe rhting to think about are credit rebuilding programs with some not-so-loved retailers like Finger Hut -- when my credit had lots of baddies on it, they still gave me a shot with their fresh start program. I put down 30$ and they gave me a $170 credit line for their stuff. So i bought an item for 100$, then after 6 months of on time payments, they issue u a Web Bank account and release u from the Fresh Start program. I started the program in 2011. didnt buiy anything until 2012, but now I have a webbank account for $600CL. So its better than nothing. I buy one item every six months to keep it active and pay each item off in 2 months or less to avoid major interest.
Just some food for thought.
I will look into all of this. Thanks!
I did call for recon with the small local bank, and was told that my DTI is took high due to student loans, even though they are in deferrment and scheduled to remain that way for the next 3-4 years. 
