Student Credit Cards

Build your credit history5 with one of our best credit cards for college students.

Discover® student credit cards let you earn cash back rewards and build a credit history5 while you're in college. Viewing your Credit Scorecard will never impact your FICO® Score.1

No annual fee, No credit score required to apply*

★★★★★
★★★★★

x Average of x Reviews

See how we calculate our ratings

5% cash back at places you love to shop

 

Students earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, such as

 

Grocery stores

Restaurants

Gas stations

 

up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

 

Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

 

★★★★★
★★★★★

x Average of x Reviews

See how we calculate our ratings

2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants

 

Earn 2% cash back at

 

Gas Stations

Restaurants (including cafes and fast-food)

 

on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.2

 

Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

 

Rewards and benefits designed for college students

Low intro APR

x% Intro APR for x months on purchases. Then x% - x% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.

 

What's APR?

young woman walking and listening to music through headphones

Build your credit history5 in college

Whether you're brand new or already have some credit history, a student Discover Card lets you earn great rewards while you build credit with responsible use5. This includes making all of your payments on time to your Discover account  or any other bills and loans.

Manage your account from anywhere

Use your Discover student login to set alerts, get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score and more1 all from your smartphone or tablet.

mobile phone displaying Discover app

Questions about Student Credit Cards

As a college student, you may have little or no credit history. One of the best credit cards for you is likely to be one geared toward students. A rewards student credit card, such as Discover it®️ Student Cash Back Card or Discover it®️ Chrome for Students, can help you earn cash back on everyday purchases.

You don't need a job to apply for a student credit card, but you must show income. For students under 21, there are different rules for what counts as income than for those 21 and older.

When used responsibly, Discover student credit cards are a great way to build a credit history while earning cash back rewards on every purchase. That's because Discover reports your credit history to the three major credit bureaus so it can help build your credit with responsible use.5

 

Building credit can be a fairly simple process. To build your credit responsibly with a student credit card:

 

  • Make all payments on time.
  • Either pay your balance in full or try to pay more than your minimum each month.
  • Don't spend outside your means and avoid carrying a balance–paying your balance in full and on time each month–in order to avoid paying interest on purchases.

 

Late payments, delinquencies, or other derogatory activity with your student credit card account or other loans may adversely impact your ability to build credit.

There are 5 things you need when applying online:

 

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have a U.S. address
  • Have a Social Security number
  • Provide all the required information requested in your Discover application
  • Show proof of education

You need to be at least 18 to apply for a student credit card. Students below the age of 21 may need to meet different income requirements, but there's no credit score required to apply for a Discover it® Student credit card.*

Discover student credit cards can help you build your credit history5 and earn cash back rewards on every purchase.

A regular credit card for people with an established credit history is different than a credit card for students with no credit or a short credit history. Student credit cards may have a lower credit limit, so students can get started using credit, practice responsible use, and build a credit history.5 By showing responsible use over time, credit cards for students may allow an increase to their credit line.

Feel like you're ready to take on more credit? You can apply by requesting an increase online or you can call us at 1-800-DISCOVER.

 

When you graduate, call us to update your personal information, such as your income, housing, e-mail, and address. Updating this information may make you eligible for credit line increases.

We approve credit cards for college students as quickly as we can. Sometimes that’s right away online. But if we need more information about a student credit card application, we’ll reach out and communicate next steps toward getting your student card as quickly as possible. Applying with your .edu email address from school may help us to speed up the process of your application.

No credit score is required to apply for a Discover it® Student credit card.* The Discover it® Student credit card can help you build credit with responsible use.5

You might need a new student credit card for a number of reasons, but simply replacing your credit card won't affect your credit score. Also, you’re never held responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card account.11

Stack of 3 Discover student credit cards

Ready to apply for a Discover student credit card?

Checking for pre-approval won't hurt your credit score.

Brush up on credit card basics

See our helpful articles on student credit cards below.

rjqx-4. rjrm-5.
dsit-4. dtis-5.