Why College Students Need a Credit Card in 2025
1. Discover it® Student Cash Back
**Best for:** Cashback + No credit history
– **Annual Fee:** $0
– **Rewards:** 5% cash back on rotating categories (e.g., gas, groceries, restaurants), 1% on all other purchases
– **Welcome Bonus:** *Cashback Match* — Discover matches all the cash back you earn in your first year
– **Credit Requirement:** No credit history required
**Why it stands out:**
This is one of the easiest beginner cards available. Even people with no credit history are eligible for approval. The Cashback Match feature makes this card extremely valuable during your first year.
**Pros:**
High-rotating cashback rewards
No fee
Free tracking of FICO scores
Freeze/unfreeze your card through the app
**Cons:**
Needs to remind to turn on rotating categories each quarter
International acceptance isn’t as strong (Discover isn’t accepted internationally)
2. Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
**Best for:** Easy rewards + credit building
– **Annual Fee:** $0
– **Rewards:** 1% cashback on everything
– **Bonus:** $50 after your first purchase made within the first 3 months
– **Credit Increase:** Can earn automatic credit limit increase following 5 timely payments
– **Credit Requirement:** No or minimal credit history
**What sets it apart:**
The card makes things straightforward — equal cash-back rates on everything, no complexity involving categories. Chase also throws in an automatic increase in the credit limit following a mere five on-time monthly payments.
**Highlights:**
Excellent credit-builder
Comprehensive app for budgeting money
$50 sign-up bonus
Linked to Chase’s robust ecosystem
**Cons:**
Lower rewards compared to rotating category cards
Foreign transaction fees apply
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### ???? 3. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
**Best for:** Students who eat out, stream, and socialize
– **Annual Fee:** $0
– **Rewards:**
– 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores
– 1% on all other purchases
– **Welcome Bonus:** Typically features a $50–$100 cash bonus
– **Credit Requirement:** Fair/limited credit
**Why it shines:**
Most student cards don’t have solid cashback categories — this one does. If you dine out frequently, go to entertainment venues often, or subscribe to Netflix/Spotify, you’ll appreciate the 3% back.
**Pros:**
One of the highest reward rates for students
No foreign transaction fees
Simple-to-use mobile app
**Cons:**
Needs at least fair credit
No rotating categories — good but not flexible
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4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
**Best for:** Custom cashback categories
– **Annual Fee:** $0
– **Rewards:**
– 3% cashback in a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, travel, etc.)
– 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
– 1% on all other purchases
– **Bonus:** $200 after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
– **Credit Requirement:** Fair credit or better
**Why it stands out:**
Unlike most student cards, this one allows you to **pick your own 3% category** each month — ideal if your spending patterns vary (e.g. online purchases during exam periods, petrol when holidays approach).
**Pros:**
Personalizable rewards
Suitable for budgeting
BoA banking clients receive a bonus
**Cons:**
Requires slightly more management
Needs to select 3% category manually
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5. Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
**Best for:** International students or individuals without SSNs
– **Annual Fee:** $0
– **Rewards:** 1% cashback on all purchases
– **Bonus:** Free 1-year Amazon Prime Student membership (after spending $500 in the first 3 months)
– **Credit Requirement:** No SSN needed
**Why it stands out:**
It’s one of the **limited cards accessible to international students** who may not have a Social Security Number. It gets approved on the basis of alternative data such as education, passport information, and income.
**Pros:**
Intended for international students
Amazon Prime benefit comes in handy
Foreign transaction fees absent
**Cons:**
Less rewards than other cards
Lower credit limits
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### ???? Comparison Table
| Card | Annual Fee | Best For | Rewards |
|——|————|———-|———|
| Discover it Student | $0 | Cashback newbies | 5% that changes, 1% standard |
| Chase Freedom Student | $0 | Easy rewards | 1% flat rate |
| Capital One SavorOne | $0 | Dining & streaming | 3% dining/entertainment |
| BoA Customized | $0 | Flexible spending | 3% on your preferred category |
| Deserve EDU | $0 | International students | 1% flat rate + Prime bonus |
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### ???? What to Look for in a Student Credit Card
When selecting your very first credit card, look out for:
– ???? **No annual fees** – most student cards have this
– ???? **Cashback or rewards** – helpful benefits for everyday spending
– ????️ **Fraud protection** – for peace of mind
– ???? **Reporting credit** – ensure your payments are reported to big credit bureaus
– ???? **Mobile app use** – you need to manage money in your pocket
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### ???? Great Ideas for Paying with a Credit Card During College
Getting a credit card is fun — but it includes responsibility.
– Be timely with payment (set automatic payment if you can)
– Be less than 30% usage of credit
– Don’t have a balance — interest will devour you
– Review your statements regularly
– Use it to establish credit, not purchase items you can’t afford
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### ???? Last Thoughts
No “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to student credit cards. Your best card will depend on your spending habits and lifestyle. To get the most rewards with no annual fee, **Discover it® Student Cash Back** or **Capital One SavorOne Student** is a great choice. For students abroad, **Deserve® EDU** is a total game-changer.
???? **Your move:**
Start with a card that fits your needs — and use it wisely to build a strong financial foundation while in school. You’ll thank yourself later.
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