The Discover it Student Cash Back credit card is an excellent choice for students looking to earn rewards while building credit.
This card offers a blend of rewards, cashback, and educational resources, making it perfect for students who are new to credit cards and looking to maximize their spending.
It’s designed for those who spend on everyday purchases and want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee.
About the Financial Institution: Discover
Discover Financial Services, the issuer of the Discover it Student Cash Back card, is a well-known American financial institution that specializes in banking and payment services.
It operates the Discover Network, which provides financial services, including credit cards, personal loans, and student banking products.
As a pioneer in online banking, Discover offers a user-friendly online platform for managing accounts and accessing services, positioning itself as a trusted financial institution for millions of customers.
Who Is This Card For?
The Discover it Student Cash Back credit card is primarily aimed at students looking to build credit while earning cashback rewards on their purchases.
It’s ideal for individuals who have little to no credit history and are interested in learning how to responsibly use a credit card.
The card is a great way for students to get started on their financial journey, offering valuable tools to help them manage their finances.
If you’re a student who frequently makes purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, or online retailers, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is an excellent option.
It rewards students with cashback on rotating categories, which can help maximize their spending potential.
Advantages of the Discover it Student Cash Back Card
- Cashback Rewards: The Discover it Student Cash Back card offers 5% cashback on rotating categories each quarter, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and online shopping. This means students can earn a high cashback rate on the purchases they make most often. 1% cashback is earned on all other purchases.
- No Annual Fee: One of the most appealing features of this card is that it has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for students who are just starting out with credit cards.
- Cashback Match: Discover matches all the cashback you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This means if you earn $200 in cashback, Discover will match that amount, giving you $400 in total rewards. This generous welcome bonus is perfect for students looking to get the most value from their card.
- Automatic Credit Reviews: Discover conducts monthly credit reviews to ensure that your credit limit is adjusted based on your responsible card usage. This helps students manage their credit utilization ratio and may help them increase their credit limit as they grow their credit history.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: If you’re studying abroad or traveling internationally, the Discover it® Student Cash Back card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international students or those planning to travel.
Additional Benefits
- Free FICO® Credit Score: The card provides access to your FICO® credit score for free. This allows students to monitor their credit health and track their progress in building their credit score over time.
- 0% Introductory APR: For new cardholders, there is a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first six months. This is an excellent opportunity for students to make larger purchases and pay them off over time without incurring interest charges during the introductory period.
- Student-Friendly Resources: Discover offers various educational tools designed to help students improve their financial literacy, including tips for building credit and managing debt.
- Security Features: The card offers $0 fraud liability, so if your card is lost or stolen, you won’t be responsible for any unauthorized purchases. Additionally, you can receive alerts for any suspicious activity, helping you stay informed about your account.
Fees and charges
● Introductory APR: 0% for 6 billing cycles;
● Standard APR: 17.24% - 26.24%;
● Balance Transfer Fee: 3% intro fee for transfers by April 10, 2025; up to 5% thereafter;
● Cash Advance: either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance.
Expert review
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card is an excellent choice for students looking to build credit while earning rewards.
With a 5% cashback on rotating categories like restaurants and grocery stores (up to a quarterly limit), and 1% on all other purchases, it offers solid rewards on everyday spending.
The card also provides a cashback match in the first year, allowing you to double your rewards.
No annual fee, a free FICO® credit score, and no foreign transaction fees make it an attractive option for students seeking both value and simplicity.
You will remain on this site
+Positive points
- 5% cashback on rotating categories (up to the quarterly limit).
- 1% cashback on all other purchases.
- Cashback match in the first year, doubling the rewards.
- No annual fees or foreign transaction fees.
- Free access to your FICO® credit score.
- Negative points
- The 5% rotating categories require quarterly enrollment.
- The 5% cashback limit may apply depending on the category.
- Cashback is limited to a maximum amount per quarter on the rotating categories.