Considering Citi has a line of credit cards specifically targeted to college students:

https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/s...ituent=COLLEGE

I am not surprised at their decision. The Bronze AA Citicard mentioned by mvoight was formerly listed amongst these college credit cards.

The credit market has tightened, and many Americans have experienced credit card companies either close their cards [which some Americans have carried for many years] , or have their credit lines significantly reduced.

Consider yourself lucky to have as much available credit as you do for a college student.

Your best strategy: obtain one of Citi's college cards, and once you graduate college with a job, and have a good credit and payment history established with
Citi, then re-apply for the Citi AA Amex. After such time Citi will feel you're less of a credit risk, and may possibly grant you a Citi AA Amex card after you've earned your degree and obtain a decent paying job.

That's personally what I did. I obtained one of Citi's College cards, then after graduation and obtaining a better job, I applied for one of the Citi AA [non-bronze] credit card, and was approved.

Or foolishly choose to continue applying for the Citi AA Amex every 3-6 months, and have hard pulls done every time you apply, and hurt your FICO score even more.