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Discover it® Student Cash Back: A No-Fee Starter Card
Looking for a student card with no annual fee and decent rewards? Discover it® Student Cash Back could be your best bet — but watch out for the high APR.
The Quick Version
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card offers a no-annual-fee experience with a 5% cash back on rotating categories and 1% on all other purchases. The catch? The APR ranges from 18.49% to 27.49% variable, which can sting if you carry a balance.
Rates shown are representative. Your actual rate depends on your credit profile. This is not financial advice.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
A no-annual-fee card ideal for students who pay in full monthly.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Fees & Rates
According to Discover's official page, the card has no annual fee and offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for six months. After that, it jumps to a variable APR between 18.49% and 27.49%. While there's no foreign transaction fee, the real cost comes if you're not paying off balances monthly.
What's Actually Good
Discover it® Student Cash Back shines with its rewards system. You earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, you get 1% on all other purchases. Discover also matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, effectively doubling your rewards.
The Catch
The downside? That attractive 5% cash back rate only applies to specific categories that rotate each quarter, requiring you to activate them. Miss it, and you're stuck with just 1%. The high variable APR also means carrying a balance can quickly become expensive.
This Card Is For You If...
This card is ideal for students who pay off their balance in full each month and can take advantage of the rotating 5% cash back categories. If you're someone who tends to carry a balance, the high APR might negate any rewards you earn.
The Bottom Line
If you're disciplined about paying your balance in full and love the idea of rotating categories for extra cash back, the Discover it® Student Cash Back is a winner. But if you can't commit to those habits, consider alternatives with lower APRs. Curious about other options? Check out Is the SavorOne Student Card Worth the Hype?
