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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- Get $25 Cashback Bonus®* when you make your 1st purchase within 3 months
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*
- 5% Cashback Bonus®* in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
- Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through ShopDiscover.com
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
- $0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% on Purchases* | 6 months* | 13.99%-20.99% (V)* | None* | N/A* | Fair Credit* |
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- 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*
- 5% Cashback Bonus®* in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
- Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through ShopDiscover.com
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
- $0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% on Purchases* | 9 months* | 13.99%-20.99% (V)* | None* | N/A* | Fair Credit* |
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- 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*
- Double Cashback Bonus®* at gas stations and restaurants
- Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through ShopDiscover.com
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
- $0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 9 months* | 13.99%-20.99% (V)* | $0* | N/A* | Fair Credit* |
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- A card truly designed for the 13-25 age group and their parents
- Full parental control. Safer than cash
- Parents can load the card online from their own credit card or checking account
- Instant online funding, great for emergencies when your child is away from home
- If your child is in high school, you can set allowances and monitor his/her spending online. Also perfect if he/she is traveling without you
- If your child is already in college, he/she can receive free direct deposits from an employer, write checks and most importantly stay out of debt
- Apply online now. Only $2.99 a month or $29.95 a year
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Monthly Fee (up to) | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| N/A* | N/A* | N/A* | $2.99* | N/A* | No Credit Check* |
* 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.
