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Student Credit Card Finder
The best student cards for cash back, travel and more.
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Picking the right student credit card can seem daunting, especially if it’s your first card. But breathe easy: We’ve narrowed the top products in this handy guide.
What's in this guide?
Compare student credit cards
The student credit card market has been heating up, and you have several strong options to choose from. A $0 annual fee is standard. Plus, you may find solid rewards and attractive signup bonuses.
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Best student credit cards
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- Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students: Best for flat-rate rewards and no foreign transaction fees
- Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students: Best for overall cash back
- Deserve® Edu Card: Best for international students
- Capital One® Secured Mastercard®: Best for rebuilding credit
Each of the following products can serve you well as your first credit card. You won’t pay an annual fee for any of them.
Best for flat-rate rewards and no foreign transaction fees: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students is one of the best travel cards on the market and it has a great student version, too. It offers solid flat-rate rewards on all purchases and one of the best signup bonuses around.
Best for overall cash back: Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students
There are several student cards with great rewards, but this card comes out on top because of its flexible 3% cashback category. Plus, you’ll find an attractive signup bonus and a generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Ace in the hole: The Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students 3% cashback category
Each month, you can set the category in which you earn 3% cash back. These categories include:
- Fuel
- Dining
- Travel
- Online shopping
- Drug stores
- Home improvement and furnishings
This is an excellent perk because of its flexibility. You can set your top cashback category based on where you spend the most money — a luxury you won’t find with other cards.
Best for international students: Deserve® Edu Card
International students often find it difficult to get a US credit card because they may not have Social Security numbers. The Deserve Edu Mastercard is a convenient solution: You don’t need a Social Security number to apply.
Best for rebuilding credit: Capital One® Secured Mastercard®
Capital One’s secured card can help you improve your credit if it isn’t yet where you want it to be. You might receive a $200 credit line with a security deposit far less than that amount. Capital One also gives you an incentive to use your card responsibly, raising your credit limit if you make your first few payments on time.
Methodology
To select our picks for student cards, we compared products on the market with related benefits and rewards. We narrowed the winners to cards with additional standout features.
- Best for flat-rate rewards and no foreign transaction fee. We picked the card that offers the highest flat-rate rewards and is billed as a student product.
- Best for overall cash back. We picked this card based on the top non-quarterly-rotating rewards rate — in this case, 3% cash back for Bank of America’s card — and flexibility of reward earnings.
- Best for international students. We looked for a card that allows international students to apply without a Social Security number. Rewards and additional student-focused benefits tipped the scales.
- Best for rebuilding credit. We consider credit building the most important use of a secured card. That said, we picked a product that incentivizes members to pay on time. The security deposit is typically an onerous requirement for consumers, and Capital One’s product offers a chance to lessen that burden.
- Best for rotating cash back. We looked for a card that offers the highest rotating cashback rate and is billed as a student product.
Our pick for students
Why get a student credit card?
- Better odds of approval.
Right now, you might have a thin credit report, which means you’ll have trouble getting approved for most credit cards. Student cards are an exception, however, as they’re geared toward those who are just getting started with credit. - Learn how to responsibly use credit.
Now’s a great time to build strong credit habits. Try to keep your balance low — preferably, under 30% of your credit limit — and to pay off your balance in full each month. Most importantly, make every payment on time, which will go a long way toward protecting your credit score. - Start building your credit score.
A good credit score is a valuable asset when you need a loan, as it could lead to lower interest rates. It’s also helpful when you’re applying for housing or a job. The earlier you start building your credit score, the better it may be by the time you really need it. Also, strong credit will help you get better cards, such as those that offer cash back or travel rewards.
How to get a student credit card
If you’re relatively new to credit cards, don’t be afraid to take it slow. Take the time to select a card that you might keep for the next few years. And above all, consider whether you’re ready to use credit responsibly.
- Compare features that are important to you.
You can find many student products without annual fees. Compare major features such as rewards and signup bonus.If you want to make a fairly large purchase and pay for it over time with no interest, consider a card with an intro APR. But keep in mind you always have to pay back what you spend on your card. Now’s the time to take special care not to get into debt. If you think you’ll be traveling internationally — perhaps to study abroad — you might compare credit cards suited for international students. - See if you’re eligible for a credit card.
Many providers require a Social Security number, and you must show income or assets that prove you can pay your card bills. You must be at least 18 years old to get a card on your own. If you can’t independently pay your card bill, consider applying with a cosigner. - Apply for a credit card.
On your card application, you’ll need information like your address, contact details, date of birth, total annual gross income, Social Security number, and monthly housing or rent payment. Also, submit other information that the card provider requires. - Wait for approval.
You may be approved instantly. If the provider needs to review your application, you may need to wait a few days to a few weeks to hear back. After approval, you’ll typically receive your card in the mail within seven to 10 days.
Credit cards for high school students
You can set yourself up for financial success by getting an early start on building credit. There are great benefits to having a good credit score, including:
- Higher approval odds for an apartment application, car loan, etc.
- Lower insurance rates.
- Access to credit cards with better rewards and more benefits.
It’s slightly tougher to get your own credit card if you’re under 21, but it’s doable. You must be at least 18 years old. You must also prove your ability to pay your own card bill, or apply with a cosigner.
If you’re under 18, you can’t get a credit card on your own. But consider asking a parent to add you to their credit card account as an authorized user.
Do’s and don’ts of student credit cards
Start building great credit habits now to pave the way for a smooth financial journey ahead. If you’re still unsure whether you’re ready for a credit card, check out our full guide for more information.
How to properly use a card
- See your card as a loan you must pay back — not as a blank check.
- Always keep your credit utilization under 30%.
- Pay your balance on time and in full each month.
- Avoid loaning your card to friends.
- Check your card’s pricing table and understand fees you might pay.
Mistakes to avoid
- Getting too many credit cards.
- Consistently maxing out your credit limit.
- Not paying your card bill in full each month.
- Paying your card bill late.
- Applying without a reliable source of income.
Bottom line
To find the right student credit card, compare features such as rewards, signup bonus and student-focused benefits. Above all, look at your card as a chance to build great financial habits. Use it well and you’ll be well prepared for choosing you second credit card.
If you’d like to get up to speed on credit cards, check out our beginner’s guide.
Frequently asked questions
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Ask an Expert
Good morning. I’m trying to get some help while I’m attending school…I would like to afford things I need and I’m not sure which card to get…
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Since I don’t completely know your unique situation, I may not be able to give you a specific recommendation. However, you might want to explore the table above. It gives you an overview of some of your options. You may then click on the “Go to site” green button or “More info” link to learn more about the specific card.
Please do not forget to read the full T&Cs and PDS or details of the products before applying and making a financial decision.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua