Best Student Credit Cards Of July 2025

These cards offer a blend of low fees, practical rewards, and educational resources to help you build a strong financial foundation. Whether you’re looking to earn cash back on everyday purchases, enjoy interest-free periods, or gain valuable credit-building tips, our comprehensive guide helps you navigate the options and find the card that best suits your lifestyle and financial goals.

Best Student Credit Cards

Capital One Savor Rewards for Students Credit Card
  • 3% cash back on:
    • Dining
    • Grocery stores
    • Entertainment
    • Popular streaming services
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No limits on earnings
  • Rewards never expire and can be redeemed at any time
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Cash Bonus

$50

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% – 29.24%

Credit Score

No credit history required

💳 Capital One Savor Rewards for Students – Summary

🎁 Welcome Bonus:

  • $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases within the first 3 months

🎓 Designed for Students:

  • For students enrolled in a 4-year college, community college, or other higher education institution
  • No credit history required to apply

💰 Cash Back Rewards:

  • 3% cash back on:
    • Dining
    • Grocery stores
    • Entertainment
    • Popular streaming services
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No limits on earnings
  • Rewards never expire and can be redeemed at any time

💵 Fees

TypeAmount
Annual Fee$0
Foreign Transaction FeeNone
Balance Transfer Fee4% of the transferred amount (if at promotional APR)
Cash Advance FeeGreater of $5 or 5% per advance

📈 Interest Rates

CategoryAPR
Purchases & Transfers19.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% (variable, based on creditworthiness)
Cash Advances29.24% (variable)

⚠️ Penalty Fees

Late PaymentUp to $40

ℹ️ Other Notes

  • Grace Period: At least 25 days after the billing cycle ends (to avoid interest on new purchases)
  • Interest on cash advances and balance transfers starts from the transaction date

Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all your other purchases, automatically

Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match

Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Minimum Deposit

$200

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

27.24%

Credit Score

Build/Rebuild Credit

💳 Discover it® Secured Credit Card – Summary

💡 Designed to Build Credit:

  • Build your FICO® Score by 30+ points on average in 6 months with responsible use
  • No credit score required to apply
  • Refundable security deposit required
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus

✅ Annual Fee:

  • $0 annual fee

💰 Cash Back Rewards:

  • 2% cash back at gas stations & restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter in combined purchases)
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically
  • Cashback Match™: At the end of your first year, get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match on all cash back earned

📈 Interest Rates

TypeAPR
Purchases27.24% (variable)
Balance Transfers10.99% intro APR for 6 months (if posted by Aug 10, 2025), then 27.24%
Cash Advances29.24% (variable)
Penalty APRNone
Minimum Interest Charge$0.50 (if charged)

💵 Fees

TypeAmount
Annual Fee$0
Balance Transfer Fee3% (intro), then 5% of each transfer
Cash Advance FeeGreater of $10 or 5% per advance

⚠️ Penalty Fees

Late PaymentNone for first offense, then up to $41
Returned PaymentUp to $30

ℹ️ Other Notes

  • Interest-Free Period: At least 25 days after the billing cycle (23 in February)
  • Refundable security deposit is required to open the account
  • Helps you graduate to an unsecured card with responsible use over time

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

No annual fee or interest
No credit check to apply
No minimum security deposit required

Chime Credit Builder Secured Credit Card

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

No interest

Credit Score

Credit Builder

💳 Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card – Summary

🔧 Purpose:
A secured credit card designed to build or rebuild credit—without fees, interest, or credit checks.

✅ Who It’s For:

  • New to credit
  • Poor/no credit history
  • Students or young adults
  • Anyone looking for a no-risk way to improve their credit score

📋 Key Features

CategoryDetails
Annual Fee$0
APR (Interest Rate)None – No interest charges
Security DepositNo minimum deposit required
Foreign Transaction Fee$0
Credit CheckNo credit check to apply
Rewards❌ None
Intro Bonus❌ None

💡 How It Works

  • Requires a Chime Checking Account
  • Must receive a $200+ direct deposit to be eligible
  • Transfer funds from checking to secure your spending limit
  • Spend only what you deposit = no overspending or debt
  • Payments are automatically covered via the “Safer Credit Building” autopay feature

💚 Pros

  • ✅ $0 fees across the board (annual, foreign, interest)
  • ✅ No credit check to apply
  • ✅ No risk of debt – can’t spend more than you’ve secured
  • ✅ Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
  • ✅ Autopay system ensures on-time payments

⚠️ Cons

  • ❌ No rewards (no cashback, points, or signup bonus)
  • ❌ Requires Chime Checking Account + direct deposit setup
  • ❌ No upgrade path to an unsecured credit card
  • ❌ Doesn’t help practice managing traditional cards (no APR or revolving balance)

🧠 Good to Know

  • No credit utilization is reported, so maxing out the card doesn’t affect your score
  • On-time payments are essential for building credit with this card
  • Operates similarly to a prepaid card but with credit reporting benefits

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students

0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students

Welcome Bonus

$200

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% – 28.24%

Credit Score

Credit building for students

💳 Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students – Summary

🎁 Welcome Bonus:

  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days

💰 Cash Back Rewards

CategoryRewards
All purchases1.5% unlimited cash back
  • No cap on earnings
  • Cash rewards never expire while your account is open

📈 Intro APR Offer

TypeIntro APRStandard APR
Purchases0% for 15 billing cycles18.24% – 28.24% (variable)
Balance Transfers0% for 15 billing cycles (within 60 days)18.24% – 28.24% (variable)

💡 Intro Balance Transfer Fee: 3% (for 60 days), then 4%

💵 Fees

TypeAmount
Annual Fee$0
Balance Transfer Fee3% (for 60 days), then 4% per transfer
Cash Advance Fee4% for direct deposit/check; 5% for ATM or cash equivalents
Foreign Transaction Fee3% of each transaction (in USD)
Late Payment FeeUp to $40
Custom Pay Plan FeeMonthly fee of 1.72% of purchases moved to a plan (fixed finance charge)

📊 Interest Rates

APR TypeRate
Purchases & Transfers18.24% – 28.24% (variable, after intro period)
Cash Advances21.24% – 28.24% (direct deposit/check); 28.24% (bank)
Penalty APRUp to 29.99% if late payment occurs (may apply indefinitely)

✅ Key Student Features

  • Designed for students building credit history
  • Access your FICO® Score for free via Online or Mobile Banking
  • Offers Tap to Pay and modern digital tools

Discover it® Student Chrome

Earn 2% Cashback Bonus® at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Discover It® Chrome for Students

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

17.24%-26.24%

Credit Score

Build Credit

💳 Discover it® Student Chrome – Summary

🎁 Cashback Match Welcome Offer:

  • Unlimited Cashback Match: All the cash back you earn in your first year is doubled — automatically
    (e.g., $100 becomes $200)

🍔 Everyday Rewards

CategoryCash Back
Gas Stations & Restaurants2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter
All Other Purchases1% unlimited cash back everywhere else

✅ No activation required for 2% categories — rewards apply automatically

📈 Intro APR Offers

TypeIntro APRStandard APR
Purchases0% for 6 months from account opening17.24% – 26.24% (variable)
Balance Transfers10.99% for 6 months on transfers by 8/10/202517.24% – 26.24% (variable)

💵 Fees

TypeAmount
Annual Fee$0
Balance Transfer Fee3% (intro), then 5%
Cash Advance FeeGreater of $10 or 5%
Foreign Transaction FeeNone
Late Payment Fee$0 for the first late payment, then up to $41
Returned Payment FeeUp to $30

📊 Additional Info

Penalty APRNone
Minimum Interest Charge$0.50 (if interest is charged)
Grace PeriodAt least 25 days (23 in February billing cycles)

✅ Student-Friendly Benefits

  • Designed to help build credit history responsibly
  • Free access to your FICO® Score via Discover
  • No credit score required to apply
  • Tap to Pay and mobile wallet compatible