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You are here: Home / Credit Cards / 7 Best Student Credit Cards for May 2023

7 Best Student Credit Cards for May 2023

March 30, 2023 by Rob Berger

Student Credit Cards are designed for college students who have limited or even no credit history. They offer a variety of benefits, including cash back rewards, 0% APR introductory rates, and a way to build credit. We examined nearly two dozen cards to arrive at the best student credit cards available today.

best student credit cards
Table of Contents
  • Top Student Credit Card Offers
    • 1. Chase Freedom Student Credit Card–Editor's Pick
    • 2. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One–Editor's Pick
    • 3.  Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card–Best for Welcome Offer
    • 4. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students–Best for International Students
    • 5. Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card–Best for Cash Back
    • 6. Jasper Mastercard
    • 7. Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
  • Student Credit Card Basics
  • How to Choose a Student Credit Card
  • FAQs
  • Final Thoughts

Top Student Credit Card Offers

1. Chase Freedom Student Credit Card–Editor's Pick

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card is one of the few cards on our list that pays a signup bonus. Add to that cash back, no annual fee, and free credit score access, and that's why the card earns an Editor's Pick.

Read Our Review

2. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One—Editor's Pick

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One earns our Editor's Pick for several reasons. It pays 1% cash back on all purchases. For each on-time payment, cash back goes up to 1.25%. There is no annual fee, and there is no foreign transaction fees. As such, it's ideal for international travel.

You can also monitor your credit with Capital One's CreditWise app. There's $0 fraud liability protection, you pick the due date, and you can get customized alerts on account activity.

Read Our Review

3.  Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card–Best for Welcome Offer

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of only two cards on this list that offers a welcome bonus. It's a modest welcome bonus, but every little bit helps. It pays 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats, and 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores, entertainment and streaming–categories where most students spend the majority of their money.

Read our Review

4. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students—Best for International Students

The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students is ideal for all students, including those from other countries. For international students, a social security number is not required. The card pays 1% cash back on all purchases. It offers credit limits of up to $5,000 and doesn't charge an annual fee. There are no foreign transaction fees and free cellphone insurance up to $600.

Read Our Review

5. Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card—Best for Cash Back

The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is a fairly new card. While it's not specifically designed for students, it makes for an excellent first credit card. It's designed for those with fair to good credit. After 12 on-time monthly payments, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases (1% until then). There are no fees, and credit limits range from $300 to $10,000. Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus, so responsible use of the card can improve your credit score.

Read Our Review

6. Jasper Mastercard

The Jasper Mastercard is unique in that no credit history is required if you don't have one. If you do have a credit history, Jasper will evaluate it as part of its underwriting. The card pays 1% cash back and charges no annual fee.

Read Our Review

7. Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card

The Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card is designed for those with low to fair credit. There is no annual fee or foreign transactional fees. It enables you to build your credit with up to a $5,000 credit limit.

Read Our Review

Student Credit Card Basics

The use of student credit cards is growing. According to the California Student Aid Commission, 60% of college students use a credit card billed in their own name. Using plastic can meet several financial needs for those in college.

First and foremost, it provides students with a safe and convenient way to make purchases. Second, it can offer a lifeline in emergencies. Third, it can help students build credit. A good credit rating can be instrumental in helping you achieve your financial goals. Finally, it can generate some cash back rewards.

The better student cards offer perks specifically designed for college students. For example, some cards will reduce your interest rate if you achieve good grades. Other cards lower your rate when you pay your bill on time and stay under the credit limit. And almost all of the top student cards offer rewards specifically geared toward young adults.

How to Choose a Student Credit Card

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a student credit card:

Fees: The best cards charge no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. The foreign transaction fees are particularly important if you plan to travel overseas.

Social Security Number: Most credit cards require a SSN, which is a problem for foreign students. Several on our list do not require a social security number.

Rewards: If you are going to use a credit card, you might as well earn some cash rewards. The standard reward rate is 1%, but some of the best offers pay up to 1.5%.

FAQs

Do I need credit to get a student credit card?

No. Many student credit cards do not require a credit history. If you do have a credit history, however, it will be evaluated as part of the underwriting process.

Do student credit cards help build your credit score?

Yes. Student credit cards generally report payments and balances to one or more of the major credit bureaus. As such, responsible use of the card can improve your credit score.

Do I need to be a full-time student to get a student credit card?

Generally, yes. Credit card issuers will require some proof of enrollment, along with the name of the institution and expected graduation date. Full-time enrollment, however, is generally not required. Part-time students can also qualify for a student credit card.

How is a student credit card different than other cards?

First, it's designed for students with limited or no credit. Second, many cards offer rewards and other perks tied to grades.

Final Thoughts

A student credit card offers a secure way to pay and a credit limit to handle emergencies when away from home. They also allow young adults to build credit for the first time. At the same time, one must take care not to accrue significant credit card debt. For those who pay off the balance in full each month, a student credit card offers a secure, convenient way to manage finances while in school.

About Rob Berger

Rob Berger is the founder of allCards.com. He's written about personal finance and investing since 2007 and is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Retire Before Mom and Dad. He is a former litigation attorney in the securities field and the Founding Editor of Forbes Advisor.

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About Allcards.com

Rob Berger founded allcards.com in 2008 to help consumers make data-driven decisions about credit cards and banking. A retired trial attorney, he’s written about credit cards, banking and personal finance since 2007, and is the author of Retire Before Mom and Dad.

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