I opted for the Discover it Student Cash Back card as my first credit card.

In my sophomore year of college, I made a decision that would influence my financial future by opening my first credit card.

Choosing my first credit card was overwhelming due to the multitude of options available. My goal was to find a card that would benefit students with no credit history while also providing rewards for everyday purchases. Additionally, I required security measures and accessible customer service for my first credit card.

After thorough investigation, I found the Discover it® Student Cash Back card to be the ideal choice.

Easy application process

The online application for the Discover it Student Cash Back was incredibly straightforward.

To apply, I needed to provide the following information:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Year in college
• Monthly housing or rent payment
• Total gross income
• School email address

The application and approval process may take longer and vary per person, but it only took me less than ten minutes to apply and I immediately received an email saying I was approved.

The Discover it Student Cash Back has no minimum credit score or income requirements for students to qualify. Additionally, if you are 21 or older and have "reasonable expectation of access" to the funds, you can include your household income on your application.

Cashback in the categories I spend most on

I was aware that college would not be inexpensive, as tuition, housing, textbooks, and meal plans were all anticipated expenses. However, I did not anticipate the additional costs, such as groceries, clothing for sporting events, and gas for trips home. Therefore, having a cashback card could significantly reduce my expenses.

The Discover it Student Cash Back program offers 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories up to the quarterly maximum when activated, and 1% on all other eligible purchases. Some past categories have included grocery stores, gas stations, public transit, and restaurants (refer to Discover's 5% cash back calendar). Since these are places where I frequently spend money, it's great to earn the extra cash back.

The welcome bonus is a significant advantage of this card, as it matches all cash back earned during the first year, with no maximum amount. This means that if you earn $250 in cash back in the first year since opening the account, you will receive an additional $250 at the end of the year.

There are several methods to redeem cash-back rewards, including depositing it into your bank account, applying it as a statement credit on your Discover bill, paying with rewards at checkout through Amazon or PayPal, or donating it to an eligible charity. Personally, I prefer redeeming cash back for gift cards since they often come with a bonus.

Minimal fees

The Discover it Student Cash Back card is great for me because it lets me earn cash back without paying an annual fee, which fits my student budget.

To prevent interest charges, I aim to pay my bills in full and on time every month. Nevertheless, if this is not possible, the card provides a 0% intro APR for six months on new purchases (followed by an 18.24%-27.24% variable APR). Additionally, there is no late fee for the first missed payment, which is beneficial when adjusting to regular payments.

It's great that the card does not charge foreign transaction fees, as I plan to study abroad.

Benefits and perks

If my Discover it Student Cash Back card is ever stolen, I am protected by a $0 fraud liability guarantee, which means I will never be held responsible for unauthorized purchases.

The Discover app simplifies my spending and payment management with its user-friendly interface and Spend Analyzer tool, which categorizes my purchases by merchant, month, or category.

Discover offers 24/7 U.S.-based customer service with an average wait time of under fifteen minutes. You can also communicate with an agent through text or the app, eliminating the need for chatbots.

Other cards I considered

Discover it® Student Chrome

The Discover it® Student Chrome card is a great option for students who frequently spend on dining and gas, as it offers 2% cash back on these purchases. However, if you're looking for a more versatile cash back option, the Discover it Student Cash Back card may be a better fit, as it offers 5% cash back on a wider variety of purchases with rotating bonus categories. To see which cash back categories are currently available, check out Discover's cash back calendar.

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card

The Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card is an interesting option for a student credit card, as it offers a cashback program and deposits your upfront payment into a high-yield checking account. However, to earn cash back on all purchases and receive a higher APY, a paid subscription is required.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card provides substantial cash back, including 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores. On the other hand, the Discover it Student Cash Back offers 5% cash back on these items, making it a suitable choice for those seeking consistent cash back without having to track rotating categories.

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To learn about the rates and fees for the Discover it Student Cash Back, please visit this link.

For rates and fees of the Discover it Student Chrome, click here.