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Student credit cards are designed for students — meaning people with limited or no credit history, and relatively low income. But before you get one, it's important to understand how credit cards impact your credit history. If you use a credit card irresponsibly you could end up with lots of expensive debt, negative items on your credit reports, or both.
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The best credit cards for students will build credit while costing you nothing, and actually saving you a bit of money through rewards and benefits. Here are some things to consider for your first credit card:
Annual fee: If you’re new to credit cards you should probably start with a card without an annual fee. Paying an annual fee can often be worth it when you’re getting good rewards and perks, but if you’re just getting started you should stick to the basics and find a card you can keep forever to help build credit, without a fee to worry about justifying. Luckily, student credit cards don’t usually have annual fees.
Rewards program: Many student cards have solid rewards programs to let you earn cash back or points on common purchases. Look for a student card that will reward you for the types of purchases you make the most.
Extra benefits: These usually aren’t major deciding factors for most people, but you should still look over the benefits of any card you’re considering to learn how to make the most of it.
Free credit monitoring service: Many credit card issuers today offer free credit monitoring tools, which are very useful for anyone working to build up his or her credit. The major card issuers all provide either FICO or VantageScore credit scores, based on one of your three credit reports. In either case you can monitor that score and learn how to improve your credit over time.
Interest rate: NOT! We recommend you always pay your statement balance in full every month (unless you have a 0% intro APR). If you do this the interest rate doesn’t matter for purchases, since most credit cards provide a grace period and won’t charge any interest as long as you pay in full each month. Sometimes emergencies happen and you might have to carry a balance, but in that case you should pay it off aggressively to get back to being interest-free.
Ability to study abroad: Will you be traveling outside the country to further your education and broaden your horizons? Check out the Best Credit Cards for Studying Abroad, which don’t have foreign transaction fees and, in some cases, come with chip-and-PIN capability.
Is a Student Card Right for You?
Student cards are special credit card products that are usually only available to students enrolled in college or university. They’re designed for people with little to no credit history, which is common among college students who haven’t had many opportunities to establish credit yet.
Don’t assume that you need to get a student credit card just because you’re a student — it’s possible to get other cards with little or no credit, like secured credit cards which require a refundable security deposit. But you may also qualify for some of the best cash back or travel rewards credit cards, especially if you have established some credit already.
You may be surprised at some of the cards you qualify for, especially if you have any experience paying back loans, like student or auto loans. Check to see if you’re pre-qualified for any credit cards — it’s free and it won’t hurt your credit.
3% and 2% rewards only up to $2,500 per quarter, then 1% cash back
Eligible Bank of America members can get a 25%–75% bonus on rewards
Introductory Bonus
$200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
With this flexible card you can adjust your bonus category each month to fit your expected spending. So if you’re going on a trip next month, for example, you could use the travel category to get 3% back on your airfare and hotel bookings, and even a car rental. Then, when the new month begins, you can switch your category to gas to help fuel your adventure.
Bank of America Preferred Rewards: Eligible bank account holders get a 25%–75% bonus on rewards earned, depending on how much money is held in BofA bank accounts.
Free credit score: Check your FICO Score 8 for free, based on your TransUnion credit report.
Visa Platinum or Signature benefits: Depending on creditworthiness
Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 16.24%–26.24% Variable
Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months, then 16.24%–26.24% Variable
$200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
New Offer: Maximize your cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement /furnishings
Now earn 3% cash back in your choice category and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
You can update your choice category for future purchases once each calendar month using the Mobile banking app or Online banking, or do nothing and it stays the same.
No changing categories and no expiration on rewards
0% Introductory APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then, 16.24%–26.24% Variable APR. 3% fee (min $10) applies to balance transfers.
If you’re a Preferred Rewards client, you can increase that bonus to 25% – 75%. Click “Apply Now” to learn more about Preferred Rewards.
Now with chip technology for enhanced security and protection at chip-enabled terminals
If you make a variety of purchases throughout the year (and who doesn’t?) it’s useful to have a card with a variety of bonus categories.
That’s what you’ll get from the Discover it® Student Cash Back (Review), which is probably the most rewarding student card available. Its 5% cash back categories rotate throughout the year, covering some pretty common student purchases. If you want a simple but rewarding card with excellent customer support, this could be the one for you.
Spending Rewards
5% cash back in rotating categories (up to $1,500 spent per quarter, then 1%; activation required):
January – March: Grocery Stores, Walgreens, CVS
April – June: Gas Stations, Wholesale Clubs, Select Streaming Services
July – September: Restaurants, PayPal
October – December: Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com
1% cash back on all other purchases
Introductory Bonus
Cashback Match: Double all cash back rewards earned in the first year
Discover’s Cashback Match means you’ll be earning a cash back equivalent of 10% in the bonus categories for the first year, and 2% for everything else. Those are excellent rates, even for non-student cards.
The Discover it Student is just as rewarding as the non-student version, the Discover it® Cash Back (Review), although some of the other terms are different.
Heading out for an exciting adventure in another country? It’ll be nice to have a convenient payment method, one that won’t cost you extra for using it outside the U.S.
The Bank of America Travel Rewards® Credit Card for Students checks that box by having no foreign transaction fee, so that should help keep expenses down. You’ll also get a solid rate on purchases through the BofA Travel Center, so try to book through that service when possible.
Spending Rewards
3X points per dollar on purchases from the Bank of America travel center
1.5X points per dollar for all other purchases
Introductory Bonus
25,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months
This card also comes with chip-and-PIN capability, making it more useful at certain terminals and automated kiosks outside the U.S. You can easily set or change your PIN online. If you’ll be traveling to foreign countries it’s often a good idea to have a PIN card in your wallet.
Bank of America Preferred Rewards: Eligible bank account holders get a 25%–75% bonus on rewards earned, depending on how much money is held in BofA and Merrill Lynch bank accounts.
Free credit score: Check your FICO Score 8 for free, based on your TransUnion credit report.
Visa Platinum or Signature benefits: Depending on creditworthiness
Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 17.24%–25.24% Variable
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire
25,000 online bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days – that can be a $250 statement credit towards travel purchases
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – no blackout dates and restrictions
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, or baggage fees
Now with chip technology for enhanced security and protection at chip-enabled terminals
0% Introductory APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases, then 17.24%–25.24% Variable APR
Get an additional 10% customer points bonus on every purchase when you have an active Bank of America® checking or savings account
Access your FICO® Score, updated monthly, for free from TransUnion
If you’re a Preferred Rewards client, you can increase that bonus to 25%-75%. Click “Apply Now” to learn more about Preferred Rewards
Gas and dining are pretty popular categories on student cards, but the the Discover it® Student chrome (Review) provides the best consistent rewards for those purchases.
Spending Rewards
2% cash back, up to $1,000 spent per quarter (then 1%), at:
Gas stations
Restaurants
1% cash back on all other purchases
Introductory Bonus
Cashback Match: Double all cash back rewards earned in the first year
So this card is great in the first year, providing a 4% cash back equivalent on gas and dining, and 2% back for everything else. After that it drops to a more tame rewards program.
You won’t be earning a ton of cash back with this card, which is fairly typical for student cards. But in your first year you’ll get very competitive rates for gas and dining, equal to some of the best non-student cash back cards.
Flat-rate credit cards provide the same rate for every purchase, making them excellent choices to fill in the gaps between the bonus categories of other cards.
You might have cards with good bonus categories for groceries and gas, but what about those random Walmart and corner store purchases? That’s where flat-rate cards come in handy.
The Journey Student may also provide a higher credit line after your first six months. That extra spending capacity should be very useful on a student card, which usually comes with a fairly low credit limit.
Anyone can apply for the Journey Student Rewards card — it isn’t limited to students, despite the name.
$60 streaming credit: $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming services, when you pay on time
Access a higher credit line: You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months.
CreditWise: Monitor your VantageScore 3.0 based on your TransUnion credit report with Capital One’s CreditWise tool (available online or through a mobile app).
Shopping and travel protections: Including Extended Warranties, Travel and Emergency Assistance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waivers, and more
One year of Amazon Prime Student for spending $500 in the first 3 billing cycles
A better chance of approval because Deserve checks factors like education and income potential
Limited 12-month Priority Pass Select membership: For spending $1,000 in 120 or 155 days; $27 fee per lounge visit (offer for select applicants and cardholders only)
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Take note that Deserve will need to connect to your bank account to verify your balance, because Deserve bases its decision on more than the typical credit approval factors.
Most card issuers will check your credit history when you apply — but what if you don’t have any credit history yet, and no credit scores? The Petal card might be for you.
If you have no established credit, Petal will ask to connect to your bank account to check your financial situation, as a way to judge your riskiness as a borrower. This gives you another avenue for approval if you don’t have any credit. If you do have some credit built up, Petal will likely run a hard inquiry to check it, like most issuers do.
The Deserve Edu Mastercard (Review) is good for international students because it doesn’t require a Social Security number to apply. Deserve will also check more than the usual credit history factors when you apply, like your education and future employability, giving you a better chance of approval than most cards.
So, if you’re arriving in the U.S. to study and you don’t have an SSN this may be one of the few cards available to you. International students will need to provide proof of a U.S. bank account and copies of their student visas, passport IDs, and school documents.
Take note that Deserve will need to connect to your bank account to verify your balance. If you have privacy or security concerns this might worry you, but it seems reasonable because Deserve bases its decision on more than the typical credit approval factors.
Feather furniture rental rebate: A $100 statement credit for your first month’s payment to Feather, when using code “DESERVE100”
Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waivers, Price Protection, and more
No foreign transaction fee
Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student on Deserve after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles with your EDU card (Lifetime Value of $59).
Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you’ll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.
Feel secure with cell phone protection up to $600.
No deposit required. No annual fees.
No international transaction fees on purchases abroad so you can travel with confidence.
No Social Security Number required for international students to apply.
Refer A Friend Program: Refer anyone to Deserve using your personal referral code. Upon approval, card activation and use, you’ll receive $30 and so will your referral. Referral bonuses are unlimited!
Manage and track your spending, set automatic payments and securely freeze your card all through one easy to use app.
See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score in minutes.
Deserve Mastercards are issued by Celtic Bank, Member FDIC.
Enjoy Mastercard Platinum Benefits intended to make your life easier like Mastercard ID Theft Prevention(TM) and Master Rental(R).
You’ll probably have trouble getting approved for any credit card — even secured cards — if you’re working with little to no income. If you’re under 21, issuers are required by law to consider whether you can make your monthly payments before they issue you a card. With that said, if you’re going to be approved for any credit card with minimal income, it’s likely going to be secured.
The Citi Secured Card is a good option because it doesn’t require a bank account, which you may not have (or want to use), in order to apply. However, if you’re not using a bank account, you must apply and provide your deposit in person at a Citibank branch.
It’s a no-frills secured card, requiring a security deposit of $200–$2,500. With consistent responsible use, your security deposit may be returned, and you could be upgraded to the unsecured Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card (Review). But you may have to have some kind of income for that to happen.
Access a higher credit line: You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months.
CreditWise: Monitor your VantageScore 3.0 based on your TransUnion credit report, and see information from that report.
Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 26.99% (Variable)
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Security deposit: A $49, $99, or $200 security deposit, depending on your creditworthiness, will fund a $200 credit line; you can deposit more if you’d like, up to $1,000 for a $1,000 credit limit.
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide.
A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 22.49%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
What Is a Student Credit Card?
A student credit card is simply a credit card designed for college students. These cards usually require you to be an active student when you apply (the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Review) is an exception — you don’t need to be a student to qualify).
Students typically have limited or no credit, because they haven’t yet established a credit history (learn how to build credit with credit cards here). As such, student cards typically come with few rewards or benefits, and low credit limits.
Other than that, they’re pretty similar to regular credit cards.
What Is the Best Student Credit Card?
There are a variety of student credit cards, designed for different purposes. Our favorite student cards include:
Yes, student credit cards can help you build credit like most other credit cards — as long as the issuer reports the card activity to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Most credit card issuers (including the major credit card issuers, like Chase, Citi, and Discover) report card activity to the bureaus, so you typically have nothing to worry about.
In some cases, smaller, less established credit card companies may not report activity to the credit bureaus. But this is rare. Some companies only report activity to one or two of the bureaus, rather than all three; these issuers can still help you build credit, but the effects won’t be as robust.
If you’re younger than 21, you’ll need to meet more stringent criteria to prove you can pay your bills each month. When the issuer asks for information about how much money you make, you’ll only be able to report your own independent income (and most card issuers don’t allow cosigners).
Once you turn 21 you can include your total household income, and that can include your spouse’s income — this can make it easier to qualify.
If you’re under 18, you can explore becoming an authorized user on a parent’s credit card. Authorized users can get their own copy of someone else’s credit card, but keep in mind that only the primary cardholder has full legal responsibility for paying the bill.
What Will Happen to My Student Card After I Graduate?
The answer: It depends on your card issuer. Your typical options will be:
Contact your card issuer to see what your options are — we recommend upgrading to a non-student credit card if possible, because you’ll probably get better rewards and benefits. You might be awarded a higher credit limit whether you keep the same card or upgrade, since you may be entering the job market and earning more money.