Discover it Student Cash Back review

Discover it Student Cash Back puts the best first-year return on this list within reach of a student who is organized. It pays 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, and 1% on everything else. At the end of the first year Discover matches all cash back earned, dollar for dollar, with no cap, which turns the 5% categories into 10% and the base rate into 2% for year one. The card has no annual fee, a 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months and a 16.74% to 25.74% variable APR after that, the lowest standard range among the student cards we compared. No credit score is required to apply; you must be at least 18 and report income, though you do not need a job. The catch is upkeep: forget to activate a quarter and those purchases earn 1%, and the categories are capped each quarter.

Who it is for

students who will activate categories each quarter

Price

$0 annual fee.

Annual Fee: $0
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• 5% cash back on everyday purchases at places that change each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% on all other purchases
• Unlimited Cashback Match of all cash back earned in the first 365 days
• 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases, then 16.74% to 25.74% variable
• No credit score required to apply; applicants must be at least 18 and show income
• Free Social Security number dark web alerts and a free FICO Score

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cashback Match doubles every dollar of first-year rewards with no limit
• Strength: Lowest standard purchase APR range among the student cards here at 16.74% to 25.74% variable
• Strength: You do not need a job to apply, only some source of income
• Weakness: 5% categories must be activated every quarter and are capped
• Weakness: The 0% intro APR lasts only 6 months
• Weakness: Cash advances cost $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater

Key facts

• Annual fee: $0
• Rewards: 5% in activated quarterly categories, 1% other
• First-year bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match
• Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 6 months
• Purchase APR after intro: 16.74% to 25.74% variable

Where it ranks

Discover it Student Cash Back is No. 2 in our Best Credit Cards For Students verdict.