The best credit cards for college students

Building credit as a college student is an essential step to a life of financial responsibility, helping you form a solid relationship with the money (and plastic!) in your wallet. Opening up your own line of credit as a young adult can be daunting, but the short- and long-term benefits are undeniable.

In the not-so-distant future, having a line of credit attached to your name will be important when you want to apply for a car loan or a mortgage or even get approved for a lease at your first apartment.

From valuable cash-back credit cards perfect for a student with an existing (but limited) credit history to student credit cards designed specifically for first-timers with no credit at all, here you’ll find the perfect mix of no-annual-fee credit cards designed specifically to fit your student needs.

When determining the best credit cards for college students, I looked at multiple factors most relevant to young adults. I analyzed factors such as ease of approval, student-focused rewards structures and cards without foreign transaction fees.

I also focused exclusively on credit cards with no annual fee. While many great rewards credit cards on the market have an outsize value that more than makes up for an annual fee, it’s always a good practice to start slow with a no-annual-fee card early on in your credit journey.

Related: Why the Citi Rewards+ is great for college students

How do student credit cards work?

Student credit cards are geared toward individuals 18 and older who don’t yet have a credit history or credit card in their name. For this reason, they’re typically much easier to be approved for and often do not require a good or excellent preexisting credit score.

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Issuers tend to be more stringent in delineating between qualified and unqualified credit card applicants for higher-end cards.

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For the most part, student credit cards work the same way that most credit cards work. You’re provided with a credit limit representing the maximum amount of money you can borrow on that specific card for that month.

You must then pay back the amount you borrowed by the due date when you receive your credit card statement to avoid incurring interest. For this reason, it’s important to remember that credit cards are not free money.

While managing your own finances and having a credit card in your name are big steps toward being an independent adult, make sure to check your account frequently and keep track of your spending to help get your FICO score off on the right foot.

Related: TPG’s 10 commandments for credit cards

Before building credit as a student, get familiar with the world of credit cards and rewards. Begin by checking your credit reports for free, and make sure to find a card that fits your score, needs and spending habits. Understand credit card terminology, including the following terms:

• Annual fee: Although student credit cards usually do not have an annual fee, many premium rewards credit cards require an annual payment for maintaining a card in your name.
• Credit limit: After getting approved for a credit card, you will receive a credit limit. This is the maximum amount of money that the issuer will extend to you on this specific credit line during that payment cycle. The percentage of your limit you use — called your credit utilization rate — plays a role in your credit score.
• Rewards: Many credit cards offer rewards in the form of cash-back, points or airline miles. There are many redemption options that range from using your rewards for a statement credit on your account to elaborate travel redemptions through transfer partners. You can learn all about how to get started in the world of rewards with our beginners guide to points and miles.
• Foreign transaction fees: Some credit cards incur fees when you use them outside the United States. These fees will generally cancel out any rewards you earn on the purchase, so be sure to swipe cards that waive foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.

If you still aren’t comfortable with your student opening their own line of credit just yet, you can always add them to your personal account as an authorized user. This can usually be done directly through the credit card issuer, online or over the phone.

Even though you’ll be the sole debtor and responsible for paying the actual statement balance each month, adding your child to your account has significant benefits.

Most importantly, as long as the account is managed properly, your children will likely get boosts to their personal credit scores and add more depth to their credit histories.

If your issuer reports this information to their respective credit bureaus, then adding your children to your account could give them FICO advantages when they’re ready to apply for a personal card in their name.

Related: My 1st-year journey into the world of cards and points

While most credit card applications require you to input your annual income, you do not need a formal job title to be considered for most student credit cards. Many part-time jobs, internships and personal freelance work are acceptable as a form of income when applying for a student credit card.

If you have little or no income, consider having a parent or guardian add you as an authorized user to their account. Getting approved for any credit card, even secured credit cards, is very difficult without any meaningful income. You don’t need to make double-digits every year, but you need to earn enough to make a lender comfortable extending you a line of credit.

How old do I need to be to qualify for a student credit card?

As long as you are a student in a two- or four-year college and are 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen and have some type of documentable income, then you are the ideal candidate for a student credit card.

If you’re under the age of 21 and can’t prove that you are eligible for a credit card, then you may have the opportunity to get a co-signer (usually a parent or guardian) who can take responsibility for your payments should you fail to meet them that month.

However, keep in mind that this could affect both the student’s and the co-signer’s credit scores on the account, as even one missed payment can significantly impact your credit score.

What do I do if I get denied for a credit card?

Getting denied for a credit card can be disheartening, but it certainly shouldn’t be the end of your credit journey. Issuers technically have 30 days to respond to a credit card application. Still, they’ll often respond in a few weeks by mailing an official notice of your denial with a reason (or reasons) why you were not approved.

The primary reason for students will likely be an insufficient credit history, especially if you apply for a credit card not specifically marketed with students in mind.

However, there may be other common reasons that young people may be denied, such as a mismatch between the information on your application and the information the credit bureau has on file.

Lacking any meaningful income is also a major reason why you may be denied.

If you’re denied for a credit card, we recommend you call the credit card issuer and see if you can speak to a representative about their decision. Banks have a reconsideration line where customers may challenge their decision on a credit card application.

Before calling, ensure your correct identification and income information are on hand to field any questions the representative might have. The worst that can happen is that the issuer’s decision is not overturned. In that case, your credit score will likely fall by only a few points due to the hard inquiry on your credit, but these are temporary drops, and scores typically rebound quickly.

What happens to my student card after I graduate?

I generally recommend keeping your first credit card open permanently. That said, you may worry that your student card will be closed after you graduate. After all, it’s meant for students, not adults in the workforce.

Fortunately, credit issuers will usually reclassify your student card instead of closing it. Your account will stay the same, but the issuer will provide you with the non-student version of your card. Alternatively, the issuer may allow you to keep the student card despite being a graduate, like with Discover.

As you move on to bigger and better cards, remember to occasionally put a charge on your old student card. Issuers may cut your credit limit or even close your account if you don’t use your card for a long period of time.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Apply here: Capital One SavorOne Student
Apply here: Capital One Quicksilver Student
Apply here: Citi Double Cash

Related: 5 mistakes to avoid when you get your first credit card