College is the ideal time to start building credit. Student credit cards are designed for those with limited credit history, offering rewards and features tailored to student life while helping establish the credit foundation you'll need after graduation.
Why Get a Student Credit Card?
- Build credit history: Start establishing credit before you need it for apartments, cars, or jobs
- Easier approval: Designed for limited credit history
- Learn credit management: Low limits minimize risk while learning
- Earn rewards: Get something back for spending you'd do anyway
- Emergency backup: Safety net for unexpected expenses
Top Student Credit Cards
Discover it Student Cash Back
Best overall student card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 5% rotating categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% everything else
- Cashback Match: Discover matches all cash back first year
- GPA bonus: $20 statement credit per school year with 3.0+ GPA (up to 5 years)
Discover it Student Chrome
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 2% at gas and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter), 1% everything else
- Same benefits: Cashback Match, GPA bonus
Capital One SavorOne Student
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 3% dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores; 1% everything else
- Best for: Students who eat out frequently
Bank of America Customized Cash for Students
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 3% in category of choice, 2% grocery/wholesale, 1% everything else
- Choose from: Gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement
Chase Freedom Student
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 1% unlimited cash back
- Bonus: $50 after first purchase, $20 for each anniversary year with GPA 3.0+ (up to 5 years)
- Value: Entry to Chase ecosystem for future upgrades
Capital One Quicksilver Student
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 1.5% unlimited cash back
- Simple: No categories to track
Student Card Requirements
To qualify for most student cards:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a Social Security number
- Be enrolled in college (two-year, four-year, or graduate)
- Have some income (part-time job, allowance, scholarships, financial aid)
Using Student Cards Responsibly
Start with Low Spending
Use for small, regular purchases you'd make anyway—gas, groceries, subscriptions.
Pay in Full Monthly
Never carry a balance. Interest rates on student cards are typically high.
Set Up Autopay
Automate payments to ensure you never miss a due date.
Keep Utilization Low
Aim to use less than 30% of your limit. Better: under 10%.
Monitor Your Credit
Use free tools to track your credit score growth.
Common Student Mistakes
- Treating credit as free money: You must pay back everything you spend
- Making minimum payments: Interest accumulates rapidly
- Maxing out the card: High utilization hurts your score
- Missing payments: Even one late payment significantly damages credit
- Opening too many cards: Start with one and add slowly
After Graduation
Student cards often automatically convert to regular cards. You can also:
- Request a product change to a better card
- Apply for rewards cards with your now-established credit
- Keep the student card open for credit history length
Starting credit early creates a strong foundation for excellent credit by the time you need it for major purchases.
