7 Best Student Credit Cards for December 2023

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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.

If you’re a parent interested in teaching financial responsibility, or a college student in need of an emergencies-only credit card, you’ll want to check out cards that require low or average credit. Below are some great options.

Top Student Credit Card Offers

1. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for Elevated Cash Back Rewards on Several Categories

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of only three 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.

Rewards: 

• Welcome Bonus: Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
• Annual Fee:  $0

2. Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Best for Improving Your Credit Score and Earning Cash Back

The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card isn't specifically designed for students, but 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.

Rewards: 

• Welcome Bonus: None
• Annual Fee: $0

3. Discover it® Student Cash Back

 Best for 0% APR

Discover it® Student Cash Back not only has 0% APR on purchases for 6 months months, but you also get cash back match. Whatever money you earn in cash back over the course of your first year of card membership, Discover will match it. And you get the same 5% cash back on rotating categories that every other Discover card gets.

Rewards:  

• Welcome Offer: None
• 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APY on purchases for the first 6 months months. After that, your rate will be 18.24% - 27.24%, depending on creditworthiness.
• Annual Fee: $0

4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

Best for choosing your own rewards category

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students allows you to choose which category you want to earn 3% cash back in, and you can change it once a month through the app (but you don't have to). In addition, this card offers a decent bonus: Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. You also get a fairly long introductory 0% APR.

Rewards:  

• Welcome Offer: Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
• 0% APR Offer: Get 0% APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles and on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles for transfers made within the first 60 days. After that, your rate will be 18.24% - 28.24%, depending on creditworthiness.
• Annual Fee: $0

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

Best for Building Credit

The Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card is designed for those with low to fair credit. It now comes in two flavors: Petal 1 and Petal 1 Rise. Petal 1 has no annual fee and earns 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants. You can be approved for a credit line of up to $5,000. Petal 1 Rise has an annual fee of $59, and you can be approved for up to $3,500. You'll apply for a card, and then Petal will tell you what card you qualify for.

Rewards: 

• Welcome Bonus: None
• Annual Fee: $0

6.  Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for Travel and Earning Cash Back on All Purchases

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is the second card on this list that offers a small signup bonus. The spend for the bonus is small and easily achievable, even by students on a budget. Plus, you get 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The APR is high, so you'll want to pay off your balance every month.

Rewards: 

• Welcome Bonus: Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
• Annual Fee: $0

7.  Chase Freedom Rise(SM) Credit Card 

Best Entry-level Credit Card

Chase Freedom Rise(SM) Credit Card isn't a student credit card per se, but rather an entry-level credit card. If you have a Chase checking account with at least $250 in it, Chase says your odds of approval are higher. And if you sign up for autopay in the first three months, you'll get a $25 statement credit. Once approved, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and if you use the card responsibly, you'll be considered for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.

Rewards:  

• Welcome Bonus: None
• Annual Fee: $0

Student Credit Card Basics

Credit cards for college students is a hot-button topic – and not without reason. With student loan debt on the rise, many advise students to steer clear of credit cards altogether. Some people think it’s unethical to market credit cards to college students.

At the same time, responsible credit card use can help young adults build financial management skills – and their credit! Responsible use of student cards like these could set college students up for an easier time renting an apartment, buying a home, getting utilities, and more once they’re on their own.

Either way, educating students about credit cards is essential. Because the fact of the matter is that they’re going to have the opportunity to obtain credit cards like these.

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 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.

How to Choose a Student Credit Card

There are some 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.

Additional Benefits: Credit cards can come with handy benefits like the ability to monitor your credit score, a mobile app, alerts, travel benefits, and flexible ways to redeem rewards. Find out what benefits the card offers before choosing a card.

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

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.