Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Annual fee
- None
- Recommended credit
- Fair / No Credit Required
- Card network
- Discover
- Intro purchase APR
- 0% for 6 months from account opening date
At a glance
The Discover it Student Cash Back card is ideal for college students hoping to earn 5% cash back on rotating categories and 1% unlimited cash back on everything else. All the cash back they’ve earned at the end of their first year will automatically be matched by Discover.
Our review of the Discover it® Student Cash Back
The Discover It Student Cash Back credit card is a fantastic choice for students looking for a flexible credit card with cash back rewards. With no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and 5% cash back on the first $1,500 spent on rotating categories each quarter, such as grocery stores, this card offers great benefits for college students who are mindful of their expenses.
Who Can Benefit from a Student Credit Card?
Student credit cards are especially beneficial for college students who are just starting to build their credit history. These cards typically have lower credit limits and more lenient approval requirements, making them accessible to students with limited or no credit history.
In addition, student credit cards often provide rewards and benefits tailored to the needs of students, such as cashback on textbooks or discounts on school supplies. Discover’s student cards, with features like a 0% introductory APR on purchases and the Cashback Match program, stand out in this regard.
How to Get the Card
Credit Needed: The credit score requirements for student credit cards are lower than traditional cards, as they are designed for those with limited credit history. A credit score may not be required to qualify for the Discover It Student Cash Back credit card, but typically a FICO score of around 600 or fair credit is needed.
Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for a student credit card from Discover, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or resident with a valid Social Security Number or ITIN, and enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university.
How to Apply: When applying for the Discover it® Student Cash Back credit card, you will need to provide personal information such as your full name, SSN/ITIN, birth date, address, school enrollment details, income, email address, and telephone number. If you have a co-signer, their information will also be required.
0% Introductory APR Offer
Similar to the Discover It Chrome for Students Card, the Student Cash Back Card offers a special introductory 0% APR on purchases for the first six months. This allows you to make purchases in the 5% cash back category for that quarter and pay down the balance over the semester.
How to Earn Cash Back
The Discover It Student Cash Back Card offers multiple ways to earn cash back on purchases. With 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to $2,500 in quarterly spending, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, this card provides great rewards opportunities. The rotating categories include options like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more.
Discover has already announced the 2024 5% cash back categories, such as restaurants and drug stores for Q1 and gas stations & EV charging, home improvement stores, and public transit for Q2.
Discover Cashback Match Bonus
Discover’s Cashback Match program automatically matches the cash back you earn during your first year of membership. This means that for every dollar you earn in cash back, Discover will match it, effectively doubling your rewards
How to Redeem Cash Back
Redeeming cash back rewards with Discover is easy. There is no minimum redemption threshold, and your rewards never expire. You can redeem your cash back for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or shop with points through Amazon and PayPal.
Discover Card Student Benefits
Discover’s student credit cards offer unique benefits such as the Good Grade Reward, which rewards students with a $20 statement credit each school year for maintaining a GPA above 3.0, and the Refer-a-Friend Credit, which allows you to earn statement credits by referring friends.
Discover Cardholder Benefits and Security Protections
Cardholders of the Discover payment network enjoy security protections like Fraud Protection and Freeze It credit lock, as well as benefits like no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and access to US-based customer service. Discover also offers EMV Chip Technology, digital wallets access, free FICO Score access, and SSN Alerts.
Should You Apply for the Discover It Student Cash Back Card?
If you are a student looking to build credit and earn rewards, the Discover It Student Cash Back card is a great option. With features like rotating 5% cash back categories, Cashback Match, no annual fee, and student-centric perks, this card offers excellent value for students. Consider applying for this card to start building your credit history responsibly and maximizing your rewards potential.
Card features
Benefits as listed on the original card page. They can change; confirm details with the issuer.
- No annual fee, and no late fee on the first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
- Discover automatically matches all the earned cash back at the end of the first year, with no limit to the amount that is matched
- $20 statement credit when GPA is 3.0 or higher every school year for up to five years
- Cash back rewards can be redeemed at any time and never expire
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activat
- Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases automatically
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months
Who this card may suit
- You want to earn 5% back in rotating categories
- You plan on using your card to purchase products online
- You expect to earn a 3.0 or higher GPA
- You do't want to pay an annual fee
- You want a card with no foreign transaction fees
Rates, fees and terms
| Annual Fee | None |
|---|---|
| Intro Purchase APR | 0% for 6 months from account opening date |
| Regular Purchase APR | 18.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate |
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 10.99% for 6 months from date of first transfer |
| Balance Transfer APR | 18.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate |
| Balance Transfer Transaction Fee | Up to 5% of the amount of each transfer |
| Cash Advance APR | 2974% variable based on the Prime Rate |
| Cash Advance Transaction Fee | Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater |
| Late Payment Penalty Fee | None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41 |
| Return Payment Penalty Fee | Up to $41 |
Confirm before you apply: rates, fees and offers change often. The figures above are the ones listed on the original card page, not a current quote from the issuer. APRs are typically variable, and the rate you receive depends on your creditworthiness. Recommended credit: Fair Credit Limited or No Credit.
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Discover it® Student Cash Back
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