College student credit card guide
Below is our guide to the best student credit cards online. Compare the features of each offer and apply for the student card that fits you best.
Having good credit is essential to financial success. When one applys for a loan, whether for a car or a house, the applicant's credit score tells the lender how well the applicant handles his/her finances—how trustworthy the applicant is.
Building good credit early is an important head-start for today's college students, and not just for loans: Many potential employers perform credit checks on those they are considering for hire. Unfortunately, many students who are just entering college don't know the importance of, or how to manage, their credit. Falling into credit card debt early can haunt the cardholder well past graduation and throughout their twenties.
Student credit cards are aimed at unemployed college students, therefore these credit cards tend to have low credit limits and relaxed approval standards. But the same rules for building optimum credit apply, and a student that uses his/her card wisely will benefit.
Credit cards for college students are geared towards the typical activities of a college student: some offer discounts at bookstores and theaters, others offer rewards for good behavior (staying under the credit limit, good GPA, etc). Student cards can be a good tool for building credit, but if used improperly they will become a burden.
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- 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories like travel, home improvement stores, department stores, gas, restaurants, pet stores and many more
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus® on all other purchases
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus® through our exclusive online shopping site
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% on Purchases* | 6 months* | 14.99% (V)* | None* | N/A* | Good Credit* |
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- Double Cashback Bonus at any gas station and any restaurant
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top retailers through our online shopping mall
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases automatically
- Redeem for Partner gift cards, merchandise, Discover® gift cards, credit to your Discover® card account or an electronic deposit to your bank account
- Turn your Cashback Bonus into bigger rewards by redeeming for gift cards or eCertificates from over 100 brand-name Partners
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 6 months* | 14.99% (V)* | $0* | N/A* | Good Credit* |
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- The credit card that rewards you for good behavior
- APR reduction on purchases when using credit wisely
- 100 ThankYou Points each billing period that you pay on time and stay under your credit line
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% if you qualify* | 0% APR* for 7 months on purchases | 17.24%* (Variable) | None* | Yes* | Good Credit* |
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- Earn 5 ThankYou Points® for every dollar you spend at restaurants, bookstores, record stores, movie theaters and video rental stores
- Earn 1 ThankYou Point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases
- Earn up to 2000 ThankYou Points twice a year for having a good GPA
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% if you qualify* | 0% APR* for 7 months on purchases | as low as 17.24%* (Variable) | $0* | Yes* | Good Credit* |
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- No annual fee
- 2% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, cell phone bills and books
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- A smart way to build credit while earning cash back
- Get your cash back how you want it, when you want it with automatic redemptions
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| N/A* | N/A* | 23.9% (V)* | None* | Yes* | No Credit History* |
* See the online student credit card applications for details about terms and conditions of offer. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the " Apply Here " button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's web site.
