10 OF THE BEST COLLEGE STUDENT CREDIT CARDS
Most students go broke at least one semester of their whole college career.
College isn’t getting cheaper. Beyond tuition, students have to pay for books and other necessary supplies. Students also need other simple necessities such as housing and food.
This is why a college credit card is a flexible financing option that can offer many perks.
But which credit card should you choose? Here are the 10 best college student credit cards.
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OPPLOANS
Our take:Lender focused on poor credit, based out of Chicago currently offering loans in 29 statesAPPLY NOWLender: OppLoansCredit ScoreLoan Size/AmountLoan TermAPROrigination Fee350 – 600$500 – $5,0009 – 2459.00% – 199.00%0.00% – 3.00%
1. Journey Student Rewards From Capital One
Capital One offers an incredible student credit card, complete with perks and features that make acceptance easy.
This card offers a generous cashback program — students earn 1% cashback on each purchase and get a 0.25% cashback bonus each month you pay your statement on time. You can also redeem your rewards as a statement credit.
The Journey Student Rewards credit card is available at a low-fee. As long as students have decent credit, they can qualify.
2. Deserve Edu Student Credit Card
Like the Journey Student Rewards, the Deserve Edu Student card offers 1% cashback on all purchases.
But this card has an additional perk — there’s no annual fee! In addition, the card comes with a complimentary Amazon Prime subscription, which is worth $59 for the year.
You have many options when you redeem your cashback.
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BONSAI FINANCE
Our take:Online marketplace to find you a personal loan offer that matches your needsAPPLY NOWCredit ScoreLoan Size/AmountLoan TermAPROrigination FeeAll can apply$100 – $15,0001 – 605.99% – 35.99%Varies by lender
The rewards can be directly deposited into your account and can be used as a statement credit. You can also redeem the point to use toward Amazon purchases, merchandise, and gift cards.
3. Capital One Secured Mastercard
This card isn’t limited to students. But as a secured credit card, it offers features that students will find useful. One of them is Capital One CreditWise, which is Capital One’s free credit score checker.
Keep in mind, you’ll need to make a cash deposit before you start spending. You can either make a deposit of $49, $99, or $200. This deposit is necessary to obtain your credit limit, which can be anywhere between $200 to $1,000.
However, if you make a higher deposit or pay off your bill on-time, Capital One may increase your credit limit.
4. CitiRewards+ Student Card
Do you plan on using a credit card primarily for groceries and gas? You’ll benefit from the CitiRewards+ Student Card. You earn 2x points on these purchases.
But this is also a great card for other purposes, such as school supplies. Your points are rounded up to the nearest 10 on every purchase. You’ll also get a 10% bonus for the first 100,000 points redeemed each year.
In addition, the card comes with 0% APR for the first seven months.
5. Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card
Want even more cashback?
Opt for the Wells Fargo College Card. Students receive 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and drugstore purchases. You can redeem your cash back for bank account deposits, statement credits, and paper checks.
In addition, students also receive 1% cashback on all other purchases after the introductory period and 0% APR for the first 12 months. There’s also no annual fee, so you get plenty of perks for an affordable price.
6. Citi Secured Mastercard
Citi Secured Mastercard has no annual fee, so students will receive the benefits of a secured card at no cost.
This card requires you to make a deposit between $200 and $2,500. But if you pay your statement on time for 18 months, you’ll receive that deposit back and you’ll use your credit card as an unsecured credit card.
Even for a secured credit card, their credit requirements are very relaxed. You may even qualify if you have poor credit.
7. State Farm Student Visa
Yes, you can get a student credit card from the insurance company State Farm.
Because of this, you may get benefits on renters and auto insurance.
You’ll receive 3 points for every dollar spent on insurance premiums. Depending on your insurance premium amount, you could earn $4k annually! You’ll also receive one point for every $2 spent. You get all of these perks for no annual fee.
8. Discover It Student Chrome
If you plan on using a credit card for gas and food, this is another beneficial credit card.
Students earn 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. You also earn 1% cashback on all other purchases.
There is no annual fee and the APR is a variable 15.24% – 24.24%.
This card also offers a student-friendly perk — if your GPA is a 3.0 or higher, you can earn a $20 statement credit each year.
9. Discover It Student Cash Back
This cashback card is perfect for students who are using their credit card for all major purchases.
Every quarter, you can enroll to earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and even on Amazon.
You also earn 1% cashback on all other purchases. This card is available at no annual fee, a six-month introductory period with 0% APR, and the APR after this period is 15.24% – 24.24%.
If you maintain a 3.0 GPA for up to five years, you receive a $20 statement credit.
10. Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Unlimited also has some impressive cashback benefits.
Students can earn 3% cashback on all purchases up to $20,000. After that, they earn1.5% cashback on all purchases. In addition, your cashback points never expire, as long as you keep your account open.
This card doesn’t have an annual fee and the APR is 17.24% – 25.99% variable.
Chase Freedom Unlimited also comes with some serious protection. This includes an extended warranty, purchase protection, zero-liability protection, and fraud protection.
Are the Best College Student Credit Cards Not Enough?
From rewards to good grade perks, the best college student credit cards offer many perks for students.
But are these credit cards not enough? If you need more money, you should look into a personal loan from Bonsai Finance.