Student Cash Back Card Review: Is It a Good Choice for Students?

If you're a student looking for a credit card that will help you save money, a student cash back card might be a good choice. According to our research, these cards offer rewards and benefits specifically tailored to students.

Many student cash back cards offer a sign-up bonus, which can be a great way to earn some extra cash. For example, the Discover it Cash Back for Students card offers a $50 bonus after making a purchase within the first 3 months.

However, it's essential to understand the terms and conditions of the card, including the interest rate and fees. As we'll discuss later, some student cash back cards have higher interest rates than others, so it's crucial to choose one that fits your financial situation.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card offers a range of benefits and features that make it a great option for college students. One of the standout features is the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, which can help you save money on interest charges.

You can also earn up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases, such as gas and groceries, when you enroll in rotating purchase categories. This can add up to a significant amount of cash back over the course of a year.

The card also offers a first-year cash-back match, which effectively doubles your earnings after 12 months. This can be particularly lucrative for students who plan to spend a lot on the card in the first year.

You can view your FICO credit rating at any time using the Discover it Student Cash Back program. This service allows you to check your credit health without incurring any additional costs.

The score is updated regularly and can be viewed through your bank account. It’s based on the TransUnion credit statement and helps you track your credit-building progress.

Discover reports your history with the card to the three major credit bureaus to establish credit history. This is a solid perk for college students who use the Discover it Student Cash Back responsibly.

You can earn a statement credit for each person who applies through your referral link and is approved, making it a great way to share the benefits with friends. This promotion runs through Dec. 31, 2025.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card offers a range of features that make it an attractive option for students. You can earn up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases, with rotating categories that can help you save on common expenses like gas and groceries.

The card has no annual fee, which means all the cash back you earn goes straight into your pocket. You'll also get a first-year cash back match, which doubles your earnings after 12 months.

One of the standout features of the Discover it Student Cash Back card is its ability to help you establish a credit history. Discover reports your payment history to the three major credit bureaus, which can help you build a positive credit score over time.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Discover it Student Cash Back card:

The card also offers a range of other benefits, including a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and the ability to freeze your account if your card is lost or stolen.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card has an excellent rewards rate for a student card. It offers 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories each quarter, on up to $1,500 in purchases quarterly.

This rewards rate would have been terrific on a non-student card just a few years ago, so seeing it on the Discover it Student Cash Back is impressive. Cardholders can earn at least $300 in cash back by the end of the year if they reach the maximum spend cap for each quarter.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card provides a robust cash back program that can deliver substantial value if used regularly. It's a solid option for many college students looking to get into credit card rewards.

Here are some key benefits of the Discover it Student Cash Back rewards rate:

Overall, the Discover it Student Cash Back card's rewards rate is an excellent value for students looking to earn cash back on their purchases.

You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit, electronic deposit, or gift cards.

Discover guarantees that all redemption options will yield at least a 1:1 value, so you won't lose any rewards value.

Your rewards never expire, giving you the flexibility to redeem them at your convenience.

If you're a student, you're probably looking for a credit card that won't break the bank. Fortunately, the Discover it Student Cash Back card has no annual fee, so you can carry it in your wallet without worrying about an extra charge.

There are no foreign transaction fees either, making it a great option for students studying or traveling abroad. This means you can use your card overseas without incurring additional costs.

One thing to keep in mind is that there is a 3% introductory fee for balance transfers, which eventually increases to 5%. You'll also be penalized for late payments after your first missed payment each month.

Here's a summary of the fees associated with the Discover it Student Cash Back card:

As you can see, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is a low-cost option for students who want to build credit. Just be sure to pay your balance on time to avoid any extra fees.

You can redeem your rewards in various ways, including a statement credit, electronic deposit, gift cards, or even charitable donations.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card offers a robust cash back program with a 5% cash back rate on rotating purchase categories, up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%.

You can also redeem your rewards at select merchants through Cashback Bonus, giving you more flexibility in how you use your rewards.

Rewards never expire, so you can take your time to redeem them.

The card guarantees at least a 1:1 value on all redemption options, ensuring you get the most out of your rewards.

If you're not sold on the Discover it Student Cash Back, there are other options to consider. The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great alternative, earning a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limits or rotating categories to track.

You can also look into the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns cash back at an elevated rate across multiple popular spending categories, including groceries, dining, and entertainment. However, it's worth noting that the Discover it Student Cash Back has a 0% intro APR on purchases for six months, then 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR.

Here are some other student cash back cards to consider:

The Discover it Student Cash Back Card has some great features, but it's not the only option out there. In fact, there are several alternative student cash back cards that might be a better fit for you.

One alternative is the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This card is ideal for those who want to earn steady cash back on all types of purchases without having to worry about rotating categories.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card also has no annual fee, which is a major perk. Plus, you won't be charged foreign currency conversion fees, making it a great option for students who travel abroad.

If you're looking for a card with more specific cash back categories, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card might be a good choice. It earns an unlimited 3% back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, all for no annual fee.

Here's a quick comparison of some alternative student cash back cards:

Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your individual spending habits and preferences. If you're looking for a simple, flat-rate cash back card, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards might be the way to go. But if you want to earn higher cash back rewards in specific categories, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards could be a better fit.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card faces stiff competition from the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card. The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards earns 3% on dining, grocery stores, and entertainment without spending caps or activation requirements.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card, on the other hand, has a more valuable welcome offer, earning $50 after spending $100 in the first three months. However, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards edges out the Discover it Student Cash Back in raw earning potential.

Here's a quick comparison of the two cards:

The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards has a more predictable earning structure, especially for students who frequently dine out or shop at grocery stores.

If you don't want to pay an annual fee, there are alternatives that can save you money. The Discover it Student Cash Back is a no-annual-fee card that's especially advantageous for students because they won't have to justify spending enough on the card to earn rewards and offset the annual fee.

Both the Discover it Student Cash Back and another card don't charge an annual fee. This is a significant advantage, especially for students or those looking for a credit card without added costs.

You can use the Discover it Student Cash Back abroad without incurring additional costs, making it an excellent choice for students studying or traveling overseas. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Here are some key benefits of no-annual-fee credit cards:

These benefits make no-annual-fee credit cards a great option for students and those looking for a low-cost credit card alternative.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card is a great option for students looking to earn cash-back rewards and build their credit history. It offers one of the top earning rates on the market for a student rewards card.

One of the standout features of this card is its generous rates and fees, which make it forgiving of mistakes and ideal for first-time credit users. This means you can make errors and still have a chance to recover without incurring excessive fees.

The card's welcome bonus, Discover's Cashback Match, can double the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. This is a great incentive to use the card and start earning rewards right away.

Here are some of the key pros and cons of the Discover it Student Cash Back card:

The card's cash-back rewards program is a major draw, offering up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases. However, the rotating categories can be tricky to keep track of.

Overall, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is a solid option for students looking to earn cash-back rewards and build their credit history. It's worth considering if you're new to credit and want a card with consumer-friendly terms.