The Ultimate Guide to Free Student Credit Cards

Introduction:

Getting a credit card can be a great way to start building your credit history. However, as a student, you may not have a lot of credit history or a high income. This can make it difficult to qualify for a credit card with a good rewards program or a low-interest rate.

That’s where free student credit cards come in. These cards are designed for students who are just starting out, and they offer a number of benefits, including:

  • No annual fee
  • 0% introductory APR on purchases
  • Rewards points or cash back
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty
  • Rental car insurance

How Can You Say Student credit cards are free?

When we say that student credit cards are “free,” we mean that they do not have an annual fee. However, there are other costs associated with using a credit card, such as interest charges and late fees. It is important to understand these costs before you apply for a credit card.

Here are some of the costs that you may incur when using a student credit card:

  • Annual fee: Some student credit cards have an annual fee. This is a fee that you have to pay each year to keep the card open.
  • Interest charges: If you carry a balance on your credit card, you will have to pay interest on the amount that you owe. The interest rate is the percentage of the balance that you owe that you have to pay each year.
  • Late fees: If you miss a payment on your credit card, you may have to pay a late fee. The late fee is a fee that you have to pay for not making your payment on time.

It is important to pay your credit card bill on time and in full each month to avoid these costs. If you can do this, you can use a student credit card for free and start to build your credit history.

Here are some tips for using a student credit card responsibly:

  • Only charge what you can afford to pay off in full each month.
  • Pay your bill on time and in full each month.
  • Be aware of your credit limit.
  • Don’t miss any payments.
  • Use your card for everyday purchases.
  • Take advantage of rewards programs.

List of Student Credit Cards which are free?

Discover it® Student Cash Back

  • Pros:
    • No annual fee
    • 5% cash back on rotating categories, 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • $20 welcome bonus after you make your first purchase
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 6 months
    • Purchase protection and extended warranty
  • Cons:
    • Cash-back rewards can be difficult to redeem
    • Rotating categories can be unpredictable
  • Special unique features:
    • Cash back match: If you earn at least $1,000 in cashback in your first year, Discover will match it, up to $500
    • Early spend bonus: Earn an extra 20% cash back on your first $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Pros:
    • No annual fee
    • 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and streaming services
    • 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • $50 welcome bonus after you make your first purchase
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months
  • Cons:
    • Cash-back rewards can be difficult to redeem
    • No welcome bonus for students with good credit
  • Special unique features:
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Purchase protection and extended warranty

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card for Students

  • Pros:
    • No annual fee
    • 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each month, up to $500 in spending
    • 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • $200 welcome bonus after you make your first purchase
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months
  • Cons:
    • Cash-back rewards can be difficult to redeem
    • No welcome bonus for students with good credit
  • Special unique features:
    • 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each month
    • No foreign transaction fees

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

  • Pros:
    • No annual fee
    • 1.5% cash back on all purchases
    • $200 welcome bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months
  • Cons:
    • Cash back rewards can be difficult to redeem
    • No welcome bonus for students with good credit
  • Special unique features:
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • 3x points on dining and drugstores

Bank of America® Cash Rewards® for Students

  • Pros:
    • No annual fee
    • 3% cash back on gas and dining, 2% cash back on grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • $200 welcome bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months
  • Cons:
    • Cash back rewards can be difficult to redeem
    • No welcome bonus for students with good credit
  • Special unique features:
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Cell phone protection

These are just a few of the many free student credit cards available. When choosing a card, it is important to consider your spending habits and your needs. You should also make sure that you are eligible for the card.

It is important to use a credit card responsibly, even if it is free. This means paying your bill on time and in full each month. By using your credit card responsibly, you can build your credit history and start to earn rewards.

Comparison of These Cards:

here is a table comparing the free student credit cards that I mentioned:

Card Annual Fee Cash Back Rewards Welcome Bonus Introductory APR Other Benefits
Discover it® Student Cash Back $0 5% cash back on rotating categories, 1% cash back on all other purchases $20 after you make your first purchase 6 months 0% APR on purchases Purchase protection and extended warranty
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card $0 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and streaming services $50 after you make your first purchase 15 months 0% APR on purchases No foreign transaction fees
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card for Students $0 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each month, up to $500 in spending $200 after you make your first purchase 12 months 0% APR on purchases No foreign transaction fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited® $0 1.5% cash back on all purchases $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening 15 months 0% APR on purchases No foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Cash Rewards® for Students $0 3% cash back on gas and dining, 2% cash back on grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening 15 months 0% APR on purchases No foreign transaction fees

As you can see, there are a few different factors to consider when choosing a free student credit card. These factors include the cashback rewards, the welcome bonus, the introductory APR, and the other benefits offered by the card.

It is important to choose a card that is right for your spending habits and your needs. If you are not sure which card to choose, you can talk to a financial advisor or credit counselor.