Credit Cards for College and High School Students
about Student Credit
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Having a credit card is vital in today's world - without a solid credit history, you won't be able to get a mortgage or a car loan when the time comes. Start your credit history with a student credit card designed for young people with limited or no credit history.
What you should know:
Co-Signer or No Co-Signer?
Some student credit cards require a co-signer to be responsible for any debt if the student defaults, but not all do.
Higher Rates, Lower Limits:
Student cards are a start-up line of credit, and as such, they often have slightly higher interest rates and are capped with a limit of around $500.
Our Expert Advice:
Student credit cards do more than just help you establish a credit history - they teach responsibility and good money management skills. Look for one that offers 1% cash back and get rewarded for developing your credit history.
Fair Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 620 to 659
You can apply if: your credit history is short; you have recent late or missed payments, recent bankruptcy or loan defaults, or other past credit problems.
| Intro APR on Purch. | Intro APR on Bal. Tr. | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Fee on Bal. Tr. | Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% (6 months) | See Terms | 12.99% - 18.99%± Variable | $0 | See Terms | $0 |
- The new Discover it card is out to change the way people think about credit cards.
- Fair…No annual fee. No overlimit fee. No foreign transaction fee & no pay-by-phone fee. No late fee on your first late payment. And we won´t increase your APR for paying late.±
- Generous…5% cash back in categories that change throughout the year like gas, restaurant, movies, and more up to $1,500 in purchases with free and easy sign-up. And 1% cash back on all other purchases.±
- Plus a Cashback ConciergeSM who guides a free, personalized online tour to help you get the most rewards for how you use your card.
- Flexible…Choose your own due date and pay up to midnight ET online or by phone.
- Human…talk to a real person any time with 100% U.S.-based service.
- Safe…Because you´ll never pay for unauthorized purchases with our $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee.
- 0% intro APR± on purchases for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 12.99% - 18.99%. ±Click apply for Terms & Conditions.
- No APR increase for late payments.
- Has cash back on all purchases.
- Choose the way you want to pay.
- Not suitable for cash advance.
Average / Limited
You can apply if: you own credit card or other credit for less than 3 years or you have defaulted on a loan in the past 5 years.
| Intro APR on Purch. | Intro APR on Bal. Tr. | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Fee on Bal. Tr. | Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | 19.8% (V) | $0 | $0 | See terms |
- Designed to help students build good credit with responsible use.
- Access to your monthly credit score, plus an interactive tracking tool to help monitor your credit.
- Customizable text and e-mail alerts to help keep you on track.
- Get 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 25% bonus each month you pay your bill on time.
- No annual fee.
- $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen.
- Tools that allow you to monitor your credit score for FREE.
- Get cash back for making payments on time.
- Great card for students to build credit.
- High standard APR.
Fair Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 620 to 659
You can apply if: your credit history is short; you have recent late or missed payments, recent bankruptcy or loan defaults, or other past credit problems.
| Intro APR on Purch. | Intro APR on Bal. Tr. | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Fee on Bal. Tr. | Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | See Terms | 12.99% - 18.99%± Variable | $0 | See Terms | $0 |
- The new Discover it card is out to change the way people think about credit cards.
- Fair…No annual fee. No overlimit fee. No foreign transaction fee & no pay-by-phone fee. No late fee on your first late payment. And we won´t increase your APR for paying late.±
- Generous…5% cash back in categories that change throughout the year like gas, restaurant, movies, and more up to $1,500 in purchases with free and easy sign-up. And 1% cash back on all other purchases.±
- Plus a Cashback ConciergeSM who guides a free, personalized online tour to help you get the most rewards for how you use your card.
- Flexible…Choose your own due date and pay up to midnight ET online or by phone.
- Human…talk to a real person any time with 100% U.S.-based service.
- Safe…Because you´ll never pay for unauthorized purchases with our $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee.
- Experience our cash rewards with $20 Cashback Bonus® when you make your first purchase within 3 months of approval.± Standard variable purchase APR±- 12.99% - 18.99%. ±Click apply for Terms & Conditions.
- Earn additional Cashback Bonus.
- Pay no annual fee.
- Balance transfer is available.
- High cash advance fee.
Good Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 660 to 740
You can apply if: you missed a couple of payments a while back, your credit history is not long, or you declared a bankruptcy in the past, but now you manage your credit(s) perfectly, which cancelled out past credit troubles.
This credit offer is only for people with Excellent or Good credit history.
Have Bad credit history? Click Here!
No credit history? Click Here!
Fair credit? Click Here!
| Intro APR on Purch. | Intro APR on Bal. Tr. | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Fee on Bal. Tr. | Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% (7 months)26 | n/a | 13.99% - 23.99%26 (Variable) | $026 | 4% | $0 |
- No Cosigner required.
- 5 ThankYou® Points for every $1 you spend at restaurants and on entertainment; 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
- APR reduction on purchases when using credit wisely.
- 100 ThankYou Points each billing period that you pay on time and stay under your credit line.
- Earn rewards for maintaining a healthy credit history.
- Free reimbursement for damaged or stolen phones if you pay your phone bill with Citi Card.
- Protects against online fraud.
Good Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 660 to 740
You can apply if: you missed a couple of payments a while back, your credit history is not long, or you declared a bankruptcy in the past, but now you manage your credit(s) perfectly, which cancelled out past credit troubles.
This credit offer is only for people with Excellent or Good credit history.
Have Bad credit history? Click Here!
No credit history? Click Here!
Fair credit? Click Here!
| Intro APR on Purch. | Intro APR on Bal. Tr. | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Fee on Bal. Tr. | Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% (7 months)26 | n/a | 13.99% - 23.99%26 (Variable) | $026 | 4% | $0 |
- Earn bonus cash back each quarter on new must-have categories - like department stores, travel and more, with enrollment.
- Earn a full 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Free enrollment each quarter for new categories that earn additional cash back.
- Manage your account online, on your tablet or on your Smartphone.
- No Annual Fee.
- Great way to earn cash back.
- Good for building your credit rating.
- No co-signer needed.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | No | No | No | No | No |
- Full-featured online checking account with no monthly fee.
- Low and always transparent fees.
- Over 40,000 free, convenient ATMs.
- The SmarterBucks rewards program, offering rewards in the form of cash back on purchases you are already making that goes towards paying down your student loans.
- A SmarterBank Visa® Debit Card that earns SmarterBucks rewards on all non-PIN purchases.
- FDIC-insured up to $250,000.
- Helps you pay down the student loans.
- Rewards you every time you use the card.
- Does not require a minimum balance.
- Only non-PIN purchases earn rewards.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | No | No | No | No | No |
- Get your teen started on the path to smart spending today.
- Easily set strict spending limits.
- Lock/Unlock Your Teen´s Card with a Simple Text.
- Monitor Purchase Alerts in Real-Time on Your Mobile Phone.
- Family or Friends Can Reload Funds.
- No Credit Risks or Overdraft Fees.
- Safer than cash with lost card protection.
- Use anywhere debit MasterCard is accepted.
- Teaches teens responsible spending habits.
- Easy to reload from bank account, phone or online.
- Free BMP app to keep up with balances and purchases on the go.
- Not a credit card.
More Things to Know about Student Credit Cards
Making payments on time and paying off your balance in full whenever possible are credit-card basics you probably know already, but there's more to learn about the world of credit, to put you on the road to a lifetime of good credit.
Do your homework
Always read the fine print - it might not seem that important, but it really is. You need to be familiar with the terms and conditions of any credit card you apply for.
Be credit-wise
Your credit, good or bad, will be established now depending on the way you use your card. Be smart and get a good start.
Pay right away
When you pay your balances immediately, you pay no interest. The longer you take to pay, the more interest adds up - an item that was a bargain in the beginning can end up costing a pretty penny in the end if you don't pay it off quickly!
Our Experts about Credit Cards for Students
latest news:
College Students Using Less Credit Cards
April 26, 2013
Credit card use is down among college students according to a Sallie Mae study. Those who do have credit cards, use them carefully it says — three-quarters carry an average balance of less than $500, and 33% of them don’t carry a balance at all.Continue reading
-
American Express Serves Up a New Way for Students to Get Paid for BooksApril 22, 2013
-
Warner Bros. Partners with MYPLASH Prepaid CardsApril 15, 2013
related RESEARCH:
Serve from American Express: A Virtual Prepaid Card with Benefits
January 30, 2013
A new kind of prepaid card can be used virtually, through an app on your phone, or online – even on your Facebook wall. Fees are minimal and benefits are plentiful with this alternative to credit cards and checking accounts. Continue reading
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Citi Credit Cards - ThankYou Rewards GuideNovember 28, 2012
-
2012 Best Payment Method Study for Back to School ShoppingJuly 26, 2012
Try Our Credit Card Tools:
Use these tools to make some helpful calculations and comparisons to build your own plan for managing your credit health.
Balance Transfer Calculator: Save on average $1,400!
Carrying a balance? Find out how much you'll save - and how much faster you'll pay it off - by transferring your balance to a new card. Our Balance Transfer Calculator does the math for you and eliminates the guesswork.
User level: Above average
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± Click apply for Terms & Conditions.
26 See the Citi card terms and conditions online.