Writer: Eric Bank
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
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Starting college is a monumental moment in your life, introducing you to new experiences, friendships, freedoms, and responsibilities. Your first year is an exciting time to explore as you face numerous choices that will undoubtedly shape your future.
Alright, we admit that choosing a student credit card is probably not top of mind as you settle into campus life. But our focus is helping you choose the best credit card for your unique needs and circumstances.
As we will explain, the two student credit cards available from Discover are excellent candidates for your consideration. We also review several other strong choices to help you manage your finances as you experience your new independence.
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Discover Offers Two Student Credit Cards
These two Discover cards differ only in their rewards. Your choice depends on how much attention you want to devote to maximizing your cash back.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- 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.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% – 25.49% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card rewards you handsomely for the extra attention it requires. It offers a quarterly rotating roster of merchant categories (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) that earn a high bonus rewards rate. The catch: You have to activate the bonus category each quarter, or you’ll have to settle for the standard rate.
Activation is easy online via the Discover mobile app or by calling 1-800-347-2683. The card caps the maximum amount you can earn for each quarter’s bonus category.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You’ll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% – 25.49% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
The best Discover credit card for you is the Discover it® Student Chrome if you’d rather not hassle with quarterly activations. The card’s bonus rate and quarterly cap are significantly lower than those of its sister student card above. But it’s all automatic, so you don’t have to remember to reactivate your bonus category every three months.
This card is a great option if you frequently eat out or fill up your gas tank, as these reward categories are available all year and not just on a quarterly basis.
Benefits of Discover Cards
Discover’s student cards are easy to recommend because they offer so many benefits, including the following:
- Cash back rewards: You’ll earn unlimited standard rewards on all eligible purchases plus a bonus rate on select merchant categories – terms apply. You can redeem your rewards (in any amount, at any time) for a statement credit, direct deposit to your bank account, check out at Amazon.com or PayPal, gift cards, or charitable donations. Cash back never expires, and you don’t have to forfeit rewards if you close the account. Discover will automatically apply your cash back if you don’t use your card for 18 months.
- Cashback Match™: This is a unique feature of Discover cards. Only Discover offers an unlimited match of all the cashback you earn in your first year. It is akin to a welcome bonus, only available to new cardmembers.
- Low costs: The two students cards offered by Discover never charge an annual, overlimit, or foreign transaction fee. They skip the late payment fee on the first occurrence and never impose a penalty APR. The APR range is competitive with other student credit cards.
- Introductory promotions: The cards frequently offer new cardmembers a low or 0% intro APR on balance transfer transactions and purchases for a set period following account opening, after which the regular APR will apply.
- No required credit score: You can get these cards without any credit history.
- Triple reporting: The cards report your payment activity to all three credit bureaus, the most efficient way to build credit quickly through timely payments.
- Freeze it® on/off switch: If you misplace your card, you can freeze your account on the website or mobile app to prevent new transactions.
- Free FICO scores: You can easily view your FICO Score on monthly statements, the mobile app, and online for free.
- Online protection: The card issuer monitors every purchase, every day, for suspicious activity. You’re never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card.
- 100% US-based customer service: You can talk to a real person from Discover’s customer service team anytime. Plus, you get fast mobile and online service.
In addition, Discover offers complimentary overnight shipping for card replacement to any US street address at your request.
How to Qualify For a Discover Student Card
Here are the qualification requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a US address
- Have a Social Security number
- Provide all the required information requested in your Discover application
- Show proof of at least half-time enrollment in school
- If under 21, you must verify independent income
Discover does not accept cosigners, although someone else can make you an authorized user of their Discover credit card.
4 Alternative Credit Cards For Students
As good as the Discover cards are, they aren’t the perfect solution for all students. You may want to consider several alternatives before making a final choice.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: For a limited-time, earn $100 when you spend $300 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card provides unlimited, flat-rate cash back on all purchases with no rotating categories to worry about. The card has no annual or foreign transaction fees, but its APR is somewhat higher than those of the student cards from Discover.
You can check for preapproval without a hard credit inquiry. The card provides extended warranties on purchases made with the card, 24-hour travel assistance, travel accident insurance, and price-drop protection.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: For a limited-time, earn $100 when you spend $300 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
You’ll appreciate the dining and entertainment rewards the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card provides. It offers many of the same benefits as its Quicksilver sibling, including a signup bonus and travel-related perks.
You can redeem your rewards for a check, statement credit, gift cards, trips through Capital One Travel, or purchases via PayPal. You can earn a high cash back rate using this card for Capital One Entertainment purchases.
3. Chase Freedom® Student credit card
This card is currently not available.
The no-nonsense Chase Freedom® Student credit card lets you earn cash back rewards on every purchase. You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit, direct deposit, gift card, Apple and Amazon shopping, and travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
This Visa student card has a small signup bonus, a yearly credit, no annual fee, and some valuable protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, instant card lock and unlock, and extended warranty coverage. But make sure you pay on time to avoid the late fee and penalty APR.
4. Deserve® EDU Mastercard
This card is currently not available.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard is a good choice for international students since it doesn’t require a Social Security number or charge a foreign transaction fee. The card pays a flat cash back rate on all purchases and provides a one-year Amazon Prime membership.
Valuable benefits include cellphone protection, rental car insurance, and instant card freeze and unfreeze.
FAQs About Discover’s Student Card Options
If you’re thinking about getting your first credit card, you probably have some questions. Let’s dive into the answers to some of the most common ones.
What Is a Student Credit Card?
A student credit card is similar to any traditional credit card. You can pay bills, make purchases, transfer balances, withdraw cash at an ATM, and shop online using your card. The two significant differences that separate student credit cards from all others are:
- To qualify, you must be a college student (with at least half-time enrollment) or attend a trade school.
- You do not need a credit history or score to apply.
Student credit cards usually have modest credit lines because most students earn limited income. Many student credit card companies periodically consider you for credit limit increases when you make on-time payments and keep your unpaid balance well below the card’s limit.
Beyond easy approval, it’s wise to seek out perks that offer protection and can help you save money. You might find benefits like cellphone insurance, extra rewards for common college expenses like gas and dining, and even a welcome bonus.
Check the credit card agreement before applying to see what perks the issuer offers because each card is unique.
Is It Hard to Get a Student Card from Discover?
The student cards offered by Discover are as easy to obtain as other student cards. The biggest obstacle is proving you have enrolled in a qualifying educational program. The exact application rules vary by issuer.
For instance, you might qualify if you can verify that you’re actively enrolled at a community college, trade school, or university. To do this, you might need to email a copy of your current schedule, fax a transcript, or send a photo of your student ID to the credit card company. The process is pretty simple, no matter which method they prefer.
After your application is approved and you activate your student credit card, keep in mind that you might need to periodically provide documents to confirm you’re still a student.
Where Are Discover Student Credit Cards Accepted?
There was a time when Discover cards did not enjoy the same acceptance as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. That is no longer the case, and almost all merchants welcome Discover cards if they accept any credit cards.
Student cards receive the same acceptance as general-purpose credit cards. The main difference is that student cards tend to have lower credit lines, which may limit your spending.
Discover periodically reviews your credit limit and may increase it if you have exhibited creditworthy behavior, such as paying your bill on time, avoiding over-limit spending, and keeping your unpaid balance below 30% of your credit line. FICO measures this metric, the credit utilization ratio, and assigns 30% of your credit score to it.
What Happens to My Discover Student Credit Card When I Graduate?
Generally, issuers do not want cardholders to continue using a student credit card after graduation. If you used your student card responsibly, you may be eligible for a larger credit limit and better perks with a more traditional unsecured credit card.
Of course, certain benefits are standard on all cards, such as $0 fraud liability for unauthorized purchases and identity theft protection.
Discover’s student credit cards may automatically upgrade to a similar credit card after graduation. This policy provides advantages, such as the same cash back bonus and low costs.
For example, Discover may upgrade your Discover it® Student Chrome to the Discover it® Chrome. A similar arrangement applies to the Discover it® Student Cash Back.
You don’t need to cancel your Discover student card when you graduate, as the issuer handles the transition for you. Discover may also assign graduates a new credit line depending on their income.
Can I Build Credit With a Discover Student Card?
Yes, virtually all student card issuers report your payments to all three major credit bureaus (i.e., Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian), and Discover is no exception. Its cards let you earn cash back as you build credit during your college years. You also get free access to your FICO credit score so you can monitor how well you are managing your card.
The triple monthly reporting of your payments is a double-edged sword: Paying on time helps your score, but late payments can cause damage. You’ll face a late payment fee for each occurrence, although Discover will waive the charge the first time you’re late.
If you pay your entire balance each month, you won’t have to pay any interest on purchases if you get your payment in by the due date. But credit card companies inform the credit bureaus when you fail to submit at least the minimum payment amount within 30 days of the due date. This demerit causes your credit score to drop and remains on your credit report for seven years.
The minimum payment is usually under 5% of your total balance. To avoid late fees, set up automatic transfers. Your issuer will automatically move the amount you choose (like the minimum payment, a fixed sum, or the full balance) from your bank account on or before the due date.
How Does the Discover Cashback Match Work?
New cardmembers are eligible for an unlimited match of the cash back posted to their Discover student card account during the first year of card ownership. For example, if you earned $500 cash back in your first year, Discover would match it for a total of $1,000. There is no limit on the amount of the match.
You receive the unlimited Cashback Match after the close of the 12th billing cycle following account opening, although it may take up to two billing cycles to appear. The match is automatic — you don’t need to enroll. Only cash back processed before the cutoff date will be accounted for in the match.
You don’t have to wait 12 months to redeem your rewards to receive the bonus. You can spend your regular Discover rewards throughout the year, and Discover will still match the amount posted over the 12 months.
Your account must be in good standing at the end of the first year to receive the cash back match. In addition, the Discover unlimited Cashback Match does not include the following:
- Transactions processed after your match period ends
- Statement credits
- Reward transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts
- Rewards for accounts that are closed
Again, the Discover Cashback Match applies only to cash back earned in the first year of card ownership.
Which Is the Best Student Credit Card For Travel?
We would have to nominate either the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card as the best travel rewards credit card in this group, thanks to their generous perks. These cards also charge no foreign transaction fees for students traveling abroad.
Perks include:
- Cash back rewards on all purchases, with no limit to how much you can earn
- Travel accident insurance
- 24-hour travel assistance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary concierge service
- Access to Capital One Travel, where you get the issuer’s best prices on thousands of trip options — even after you book
- Free protection against flight price drops: If you book a flight Capital One Travel recommends and the price drops within 10 days, you’ll get up to $50 in travel credit for the difference.
Another sound travel rewards credit card is the Chase Freedom® Student credit card. Suppose your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, and other covered situations. In that case, trip insurance reimburses you up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares.
But unlike the Capital One cards, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card charges foreign transaction fees, so it isn’t ideal for traveling abroad.
What If Discover Rejects My Application?
Discover may deny your application if you can’t prove your student status or are under age 18, but not for lacking a credit history.
If Discover rejects your application, you are entitled to an Adverse Action Notice explaining why, such as insufficient income or the inability to verify your identity. Treat the notice as a resource, as it reveals what you must fix before reapplying.
If all else fails, consider getting a secured credit card. While not specifically for students, a secured credit card is easy to get if you can afford the deposit, typically around $200. Once you build credit on a secured card, you can reapply for a student card — you should have better luck.
You Can’t Go Wrong With Either Discover Student Card
Both Discover credit cards for students are excellent choices. They offer good benefits, generous rewards, and low costs. And as with all cards from Discover, they provide the unique Discover Cashback Match at the end of your first year.
If you are heading off to college and thinking about getting your first credit card, the Discover student credit cards won’t disappoint. Our review confirms that either card may qualify as the best student credit card on the market.
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