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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Indigo® Mastercard® Credit Card
- Easy pre-qualification process with fast response
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Online servicing available 24/7 at no additional cost
- Unsecured credit card, no security deposit required
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Credit, Good Credit | Consumer | $0 - $99 | N/A | N/A | 24.9% | None | 5 |
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 | 29.99% (Variable)* | None | 41 |
Milestone® Mastercard®
- Prequalify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Credit, Fair Credit | Consumer | $35 - $99* | N/A | N/A | 24.9% | None | Be the first to write one |
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 |
JCPenney Credit Card®
- Earn 2X the rewards points with a JCPenney Credit Card - receive 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying purchases*
- 15% OFF* select apparel, shoes, accessories, fine jewelry, salon products, furniture & mattresses, home, and in-home custom design; or save 5% on select electrics/electronics, Modern Bride Design Your Dream Ring, smart watches & Tempur-Pedic
- Enjoy exclusive offers throughout the year with 100+ special savings days where JCPenney Credit Card members save more.
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Credit, Above Average Credit | Consumer | $0* | N/A | N/A | 25.99% Fixed* | Store | 59 |
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* | 21.74% (Variable)* | Store | 1 |
Discount Tire Credit Card
- Promotional Financing available
- No annual fee** and $0 liability on fraud transactions
- Fast and easy online application
- Convenient online access to your account with the Discount Tire mobile app
- Accepted at over 200,000 gas stations nationwide across major gas brands^
- Exclusive cardholder rebates that you can combine with manufacturers' offers
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Credit, Poor Credit, Limited Credit | Consumer | $0* | N/A | N/A | 29.99% (Variable)* | None | Be the first to write one |
Destiny Mastercard®
- All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit
- Keeping your account in good standing may help establish and/or improve your credit history
- Less than perfect credit is okay, even with a prior bankruptcy!
- Prequalify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
| Credit Target | Type | Annual Fee | BT Intro APR | Purchase Intro APR | Regular APR | Rewards | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor Credit, Good Credit | Consumer | $59-$99 | N/A | N/A | 24.9% | None | Be the first to write one |
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Exclusively for customers with an eligible Prime membership
- 5% Back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods with an eligible Prime membership*
- 2% Back at restauraunts, gas stations, and drugstores*
- 1% Back on all other purchases*
| 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 | 15.74%* - 23.74% (Variable)* | Store | 3 |
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
- Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
- $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions
- Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
- $0 annual fee, $0 activation fees, $0 foreign transaction fees
- 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% (Variable)* | Cash Back | 1 |
