Credit Cards For College Students
As a college student that spends a great deal of your time investing in your future as opposed to your finances, there is a good chance that your standing credit score doesn't exactly reflect a longstanding history of successful investments, loan payment, or property ownership. Make no mistake-- despite the fact that the best credit cards can sometimes garner the reputation of being applicable only to those with seemingly impossible highs when it comes to their credit score, credit history and card ownership history, there are still a great deal of credit cards out there that can prove to be absolutely ideal for those looking to get started in building themselves a credit score, subsidizing a necessary quality of life while balancing their career with the demands of full time course loads, or even those young adults who need a bit of financial breathing room while putting themselves through college entirely on their own dime.
Below, we've compiled a list of some of what we believe to be the best student credit card offers and applications for those looking to avoid taking on a credit card irresponsibly, when factoring in the limited credit history and challenging financial considerations that go hand in hand with being a student. Be sure to check out the featured cards we've listed below, and you'll be able to make an informed decision regarding your student credit card that you can feel good about.
Here are just a few of them:
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Milestone® Mastercard®
- Simple application process with a quick decision
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- 24/7 access to your account information, even on mobile
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Credit, Poor Credit | Consumer | $35 - $99* | N/A | N/A | 24.9% | None | Be the first to write one |
Kay Jewelers Credit Card
Express Your Love Your Way. Enjoy Zero Down Special Financing* on purchases of $300 or more with the KAY Jewelers Credit Card issued by Comenity Bank.
Nothing Should Get in the Way of Love. Use your KAY Jewelers Credit Card and select a Special Financing* plan that works best for you.
- 6 Months Special Financing: $300 minimum purchase*
- 12 Months Special Financing: $750 minimum purchase*
- 18 Months Special Financing: $3000 minimum purchase*
- 36 Months Special Financing: $1,500 minimum purchase*
- Treat yourself to something wonderful during your birthday month with $100 off.*
- Cardholder's Anniversary: Celebrate with a special offer, just for you with $100 off.*
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor Credit, Limited Credit | Consumer | $0* | N/A | N/A | 33.24% (Variable)* | None | 41 |
Chime Spending Account and Visa® Debit Card
Chime® is a new award-winning mobile app designed to help people lead healthier financial lives and automate their savings. With Chime, you get a Chime Visa® Debit Card and an FDIC insured deposit account that can be managed entirely from your smartphone, plus a Savings Account that helps you save money without thinking about it.
- Your deposits are insured up to $250,000 through The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank; Member FDIC.
- Visa's Zero-Liability Policy protects all unauthorized purchases.*
- 60K+ fee-free ATMs at convenient locations like Walgreens, 7-Eleven, CVS and more
- Real-time alerts for every banking transaction.
- Automatic Savings takes the effort out of saving.
- No minimum, monthly, or overdraft fees.˜
Disclocures: Chime is a financial tech... See More
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Debit | $0** | N/A** | N/A** | N/A** | None | Be the first to write one |
Blain's Farm & Fleet Rewards Mastercard®
Life can be more rewarding with the Blain’s Farm & Fleet Rewards Mastercard. Earn rewards on purchases you already make. Not only at Blain’s Farm & Fleet, but at gas stations, grocery stores, and everywhere else. For larger Blain's Farm & Fleet purchases low promotional special financing is available.
- 3 POINTS per $1 spent At Blain's Farm & Fleet*
- 2 POINTS At Gas Stations & Grocery Stores
- 1 POINT Everywhere Else
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Credit, Above Average Credit, Fair Credit | Consumer | $0* | N/A | 0% for 12 billing cycles* | 26.74% (Variable)* | Store | 1 |
Destiny Mastercard®
- 24/7 access to your account, even on mobile!
- Accepted nationwide, wherever Mastercard is accepted
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S
- All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit
- An opportunity to build and access credit
- An unsecured Mastercard for less than perfect credit
- Fraud Protection* from unauthorized charges
- Keeping your account in good standing may help establish and/or improve your credit history
- Multiple card designs to choose from, no extra charge
- Responsible use and on time payment history can begin your financial future on the right track
- Simple and fast application process
- Quick and easy application process with a typical decision in 60 seconds or less
- $700 Credit Limit
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor Credit, Good Credit | Consumer | See Terms* | N/A | N/A | See Terms* | None | Be the first to write one |
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Earn unlimited 5% back on your Amazon.com purchases with an eligible Prime membership*
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon Fresh online or in-store with an eligible Prime membership*
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Whole Foods Market online or in-store with an eligible Prime membership*
- Earn unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership*
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations*
- Earn unlimited 2% back at restaurants whether you dine in or take out*
- Earn unlimited 2% back on local transit and commuting, including rideshare*
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases anywhere Visa is accepted*
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent Credit, Good Credit | Consumer | $0* | N/A | N/A | 19.49%* - 27.49% (Variable)* | Store | 3 |
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
- $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
- Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
- Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
- No annual fee
- No touch payments with contactless technology built in
- See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
- Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
- Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
- See Rates & Fees
** To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must... See More
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent Credit, Good Credit | Consumer | $0 | N/A | N/A | 14.99% - 29.99% APR | Cash Back | 1 |
Upgrade Life Rewards Visa®
- 3% Cash Back on payments for Gas, Grocery, Health, Streaming, and Utility categories, 1% cash back on everything else (Target and Walmart earn 1%)
- Pay your balance in full early each month and avoid interest with EarlyPay*
- Combine the flexibility of a card with the predictability of a loan
- No Annual fee*
- No touch payments with contactless technology built in*
- See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
- Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
- Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent Credit, Good Credit | Consumer | $0 | N/A | N/A | 14.99% - 29.99% APR | Cash Back | Be the first to write one |
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
- $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions
- Unlimited cash back on payments: 3% on Home, Auto, and Health categories and 1% on everything else after you make payments on your purchases
- No annual fee
- Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
- No touch payments with contactless technology built in
- See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
- Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
- Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
** To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must... See More
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent Credit, Good Credit, Above Average Credit | Consumer | $0* | N/A | N/A | 14.99% - 29.99% APR | Cash Back | Be the first to write one |
FamZoo Debit Mastercard
FamZoo prepaid cards are a uniquely affordable, convenient, and educational MasterCard® reloadable card offering designed specifically for families.
- No risk of debt, overdraft, or hidden fees
- Free card load and ATM options
- Order immediately online with no credit check
- Empower kids of all ages
- Retain parental visibility and control
- Move money instantly between family members
- Automatically track purchases
- Available to eligible U.S. families
| Credit Target | Type | Monthly Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Debit | $5.99 per month* | N/A | N/A | N/A* | None | Be the first to write one |
