Entering my sophomore year of college, I made a decision that would shape my financial future: I opened my first credit card.
With seemingly endless options, picking my first credit card was daunting. I needed a card geared toward students with no credit history, but also wanted to earn rewards on my everyday purchases. As my first credit card, it was also important for me to have security protections and easily accessible customer service.
After extensive research, I landed on the Discover it® Student Cash Back card, and it fit the bill perfectly. Here's why.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's secure site
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 6 months on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair / New to Credit
*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Discover it® Student Cash Back review.
Pros
- Cash-back program
- Generous welcome bonus
Cons
- Cash-back categories must be activated each quarter
- Cash-back program limits earnings: Enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back in various categories on up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases, then 1%
- You must be a U.S. citizen and college student to apply for this card
What we'll cover
- Easy application process
- Cash back categories
- Minimal fees
- Benefits and perks
- Other cards I considered
Easy application process
The online application for the Discover it Student Cash Back was incredibly straightforward.
To apply, I needed to provide the following information:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Year in college
- Monthly housing or rent payment
- Total gross income
- School email address
It took me less than ten minutes to apply, and I immediately received an email saying I was approved. Of course, the application and approval process may take longer and vary per person.
Being geared toward students, there are no minimum credit score or income requirements to qualify for the Discover it Student Cash Back. Also, know that you can include your household income on your application if you are 21 or older and have "reasonable expectation of access" to the funds.
Cashback in the categories I spend most on
I knew college wasn't going to be cheap. Tuition, room and board, and textbooks and meal plans were all expected costs. What I didn't plan for were all the extra expenses, such as groceries, outfits for gameday and gas for trips back home. So, having access to a cashback card could save me a lot of money.
The Discover it Student Cash Back gets its name for offering 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories up to the quarterly maximum when you activate and 1% on all other eligible purchases. A few of the past categories have included grocery stores, gas stations, public transit and restaurants (check out Discover's 5% cash back calendar). These are all places where I'm frequently spending money, so it's great to earn the extra cash back.
The welcome bonus is also a major perk of this card. For the first year, all cash back earned is matched, and there is no maximum amount. So, if I earn $250 in cash back for the first year since opening the account, I'll receive an additional $250 at the end of the year.
There are various ways to redeem cash-back rewards. Cash back can be deposited straight into your bank account or applied to your Discover bill as a statement credit. You can also pay with rewards at checkout through Amazon or PayPal. There is even the option to donate cash back to an eligible charity. My personal favorite is toward gift cards since there's always a bonus on these redemptions.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in ourcredit card marketplaceor get personalized offers viaCardMatch™.
Minimal fees
Being on a student budget, I love that the Discover it Student Cash Back card allows me to earn cash back without an annual fee.
My goal is to avoid interest charges by paying my bills on time and in full each month. However, if that's ever not feasible, the card offers 0% intro APR for six months on new purchases (after, 18.24%-27.24% variable APR). Further, there is no late fee for the first time a payment is late which is helpful while getting used to making regular payments.
The card also charges no foreign transaction fees which is great considering I'm looking to study abroad.
Pro tip: Setting up autopay can reduce the risk of missed payments and help avoid late fees.
Benefits and perks
The Discover it Student Cash Back offers a $0 fraud liability guarantee, meaning I'll never be responsible for unauthorized purchases if my card is ever stolen.
The Discover app also makes tracking my spending and managing payments easy. I especially like using the Spend Analyzer tool which allows me to see my purchases based on category, merchant or month.
Finally, Discover has 100% U.S.-based customer service available around the clock. The wait time can vary, but anytime I've had to call, I've been able to speak to an agent in under fifteen minutes. There is also the option to message an agent through text or the app which connects you to an agent rather than dealing with chatbots.
Other cards I considered
Discover it® Student Chrome
The Discover it® Student Chrome card is a great option because it offers 2% cash back on dining and gas. I preferred the Discover it Student Cash Back's ability to earn 5% cash back when you activate on a wider variety of purchases with the rotating bonus categories, but this can still be a good option for students who frequently spend on dining and gas. (Check out Discover's cash back calendar)
Discover it® Student Chrome
On Discover's secure site
Rewards
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 6 months on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair / New to Credit
*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Discover it® Student Chrome review.
Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card
I thought the Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card was an interesting option for a student credit card. This secured card offers a cashback program, and your upfront deposit is put into a high-yield checking account. However, it does require a paid subscription for both a higher APY and to earn cash back on all purchases.
Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students
Rewards
Up to 10% Random Cashback on all purchases; Up to 15% cash back at 29,000 partner merchants; Earn 1.25% APY on bank account balances (4.25% APY with a Firstcard+ membership); An additional 1% cash back on all purchases with a Firstcard+ membership
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
N/A
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
N/A
Terms apply. Firstcard users are eligible to apply for Firstcard's $10,000 Student Scholarship. The application deadline is September 30.Apply here.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers generous returns, including 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores. While the Discover it Student Cash Back can earn 5% cash back when these items are part of the rotating categories, this is a good option if you want consistent cash back rather than navigating the rotating categories.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Learn More
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through Nov. 14, 2024; 8% cash backon Capital One Entertainment purchases; unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 3% cash backon dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 3% cash backon popular streaming services and entertainment; 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $50 cash bonus when you spend $100 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Promo APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair
Terms apply.
Read our Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
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FAQs
Is the Discover it Student Cash Back worth it?
The Discover it Student Cash Back is easy to justify because it lets college students earn cash back and build their credit for no annual fee.
Who can get the Discover it Student Cash Back?
The Discover it Student Cash Back is available for college students enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university and have a verifiable independent income such as a part-time job.
Will I build credit with the Discover it Student Cash Back?
When used responsibly, the Discover it Student Cash Back allows students to start building credit.
Can I keep my student card after I graduate?
You can keep your Discover it Student Cash Back after you graduate. The account's terms, conditions, and features will remain the same. However, if your income goes up, you may become eligible for a credit line increase.
What is the difference between a student and a regular Discover card?
The student and regular Discover credit cards are very similar when it comes to rewards and benefits. The main difference is that the regular cards typically offer a longer 0% intro APR offer, but may also have stricter credit requirements to be approved.
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For rates and fees of the Discover it Student Cash Back, click here.
For rates and fees of the Discover it Student Chrome, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
