Thanks folks!
He is a credit union member, but the credit union is in CA. I'll have to see if he can apply with them online, or we'll take care of it next time we head that way. From what he said, even they denied him last time, but hopefully just "existing" in the credit world through his student loans will help him out.
I wonder where I got the idea that utilities build credit? Just a quick google search reiterates what you guys are saying, but that's one of those things that has been rattling in my brain for so long, I believed it as truth.
Ok, question part two: As far as his student loans go, any ideas as to the best route of paying them off? They don't accrue interest until May 15. His instinct will probably be to pay them off quickly. Would it help him out more to pay less over time? I'm working on getting him to be on board with the ideas I've learned here, that employees can earn more somewhere else than what we're paying in interest on this.