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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
LendingTree's Review

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
4.9
Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Cash Back
Intro Purchase APR
0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Ongoing APR
17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It was not reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

Our take: The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a great credit building option for students that earns rewards on common rotating spending categories like grocery stores, restaurants and more. Just be sure to activate the spending categories each quarter.

Pros and cons

  • Generous rewards rate
  • Cash back match the first year
  • Intro purchase APR offer
  • $0 annual fee
  • Upgrades to a standard card after you graduate
  • Bonus categories require activation
  • Spending cap on higher-rate purchases
  • Low rewards rate on non-bonus categories
  • No 0% intro APR on balance transfers

Is the Discover it® Student Cash Back a good card?

College is stressful enough  — and building credit is probably the last thing in your mind while dealing with a load of assignments. But being in college makes it easy to qualify for a student credit card, a great way to kickstart your credit history.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back is one of the best student credit cards because of its generous cash back rewards, valuable sign-up bonus and $0 annual fee.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers a high cash back rate on specific categories (such as grocery stores and restaurants) that change every quarter and require activation. Another appeal is the card’s unique sign-up bonus that matches your cash back at the end of your first year.

If you’re willing to activate categories every year, then this card could be right for you. But if you don’t want to deal with rotation categories and would prefer a simpler flat-rate student credit card, then the Discover it® Student Chrome might be a better fit.

Quick facts

    • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
    • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
    • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
    • No credit score required to apply.
    • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
    • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
    • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.49% - 26.49% applies.
    • Terms and conditions apply.
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion
  • 600 660
    Limited / Fair
  • Free FICO Score access
  • Freeze your card online
  • Discover® Identity Alerts
  • Customer service based 100% in the U.S.
  • No penalty APR
  • No late fee on your first late payment; up to $41 after that
  • Foreign transaction fee: None

Intro Purchase APR

0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases

Regular Purchase APR

17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR

Intro BT APR

10.99% Intro APR for 6 months

Regular BT APR

17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR

Annual Fee

$0

Cash Advance Fee

Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Balance Transfer Fee

3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

What we like about the Discover it® Student Cash Back

  • Generous rewards rate on rotating categories

    Cardholders earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

    This is a high percentage that other student credit cards typically don’t offer. And although it only applies to the first $1,500 you spend on those categories, it’s an easy way to earn an extra $300.

    Here are the 2023 bonus categories for Discover:

    January-MarchApril-JuneJuly-SeptemberOctober-December
    Grocery stores, drug stores and select streaming servicesRestaurants and Wholesale ClubsGas Stations and Digital WalletsAmazon.com and Target

  • Cash back match the first year

    This card offers a unique new cardmember offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.

    No other issuer offers a cash back match, and it’s a particularly special feature because there’s no cap on how much you can earn. Many other cash back cards — for students and even for others — have a cap on them of about $200. You can potentially earn more than that with the Discover it® Student Cash Back depending on how much you spend your first year.

  • Intro purchase APR offer

    If you need to finance a large purchase over a few months, there is a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases from the date of account opening. After that, the interest rate will range from 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR.

    The intro purchase APR isn’t very long — many cards’ intro offers, if they have any, last 12 months. But it’s rare for a student credit card to offer one at all, so it’s a good deal. The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom® Student credit card and the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card all don’t have intro APRs.

  • $0 annual fee

    For college students on a budget, paying an annual fee to carry a credit card probably doesn’t make sense. Luckily, this card’s annual fee is $0. Many cards for people with limited or poor credit come with high fees, so not having to worry about an annual fee — especially when you’re a student — is a great feature.

  • Upgrades to a standard credit card after you graduate

    Once you graduate, Discover will classify your Discover it® Student Cash Back as a Discover it® Cash Back. The card has the same rewards rate and sign-up bonus as the Discover it® Student Cash Back. This is a great perk — since it saves you from having to apply for another credit card and taking a ding to your credit score.

What to watch out for with the Discover it® Student Cash Back

  • Bonus categories require activation

    The Discover it® Student Cash Back’s highest bonus categories must be activated online each quarter, and this could be a hassle for some students who don’t want to bother or would prefer a card offering a flat-rate rewards program.

  • Spending cap on higher-rate purchases

    The elevated cash back reward is limited to a maximum of $1,500 on purchases each quarter. Even though a spending cap isn’t ideal, it’s a generous one considering you can earn $300 each year if you max it out.

  • Low rewards rate on everything else

    The rewards earnings rate for non-bonus category purchases and bonus category purchases over the quarterly cap is subpar. If you don’t spend a lot on the card’s bonus category during a particular quarter, then this could mean lower cash back earnings for three months.

    Tip: If your typical spending doesn’t match up with the Discover it® Student Cash Back‘s bonus categories, check out the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. It has a flat earning rate of 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).

  • No 0% intro APR on balance transfers

    If you’re looking for a balance transfer card offering a 0% intro APR period in which to save on interest charges, the Discover it® Student Cash Back won’t be a good fit as it offers only a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months for balance transfers, then a 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR will apply. There are better balance transfer card offers with 0% intro APR and longer intro periods.

Alternate student credit cards

Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Discover it® Student Chrome

| Disclosures
Discover it® Student Chrome*
Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Chrome
Learn More
0% Intro APR for 6 months
17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
$0
2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.49% - 26.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
600 660
Limited / Fair
*The information related to the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

If you’re looking for a $0 annual fee student credit card that doesn’t require you to keep track of rotating categories, check out the Discover it® Student Chrome. It has many of the same benefits as the Discover it® Student Cash Back , but it’s better suited for commuter students and those who prefer less card maintenance.

You can 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically This is a more modest rate than the Discover it® Student Cash Back, but you won’t have to enroll in any categories to earn the 2% cash back. Plus, just like the Discover it® Student Cash Back, the Discover it® Student Chrome will match any cash back that you earn at the end of your first year.

Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

| Disclosures
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card*
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
N/A
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$0
3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
  • Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
  • Build your credit with responsible card use
  • Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
  • For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
600 660
Limited / Fair
*The information related to the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

If entertainment, dining and groceries are some of your most common expenses, then the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card might be for you. You can earn 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. And, unlike the Discover it® Student Cash Back, you don’t have to activate your elevated rewards anywhere — they automatically apply.

Plus, it’s great for students who are Uber or Uber Eats fans. You can Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024.

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card does have a potentially weaker sign-up bonus: Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months. With the Discover it® Student Cash Back, you can earn a higher sign-up bonus by spending at least $1,666 in a year — which is a low threshold to meet.

Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Chase Freedom® Student credit card

| Disclosures
Chase Freedom® Student credit card*
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
N/A
19.99% Variable
$0
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards
  • $50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 1% cash back on all purchases
  • No annual Fee
  • $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
  • Earn a credit limit increase after making 5 monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening when meeting credit criteria
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
  • Free credit score with Chase Credit Journey
660 720 850
Good / Excellent
*The information related to the Chase Freedom® Student credit card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

If you prefer to bank with Chase, then the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is a decent $0-annual-fee flat-rate alternative. It does have a lower rewards rate than the Discover it® Student Cash Back: Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years.

It also has a modest $50 bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening. However, just by spending at least $1,666, you can earn more with the Discover it® Student Cash Back.

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card has only a couple advantages over the Discover it® Student Cash Back: its $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to five years and the opportunity to earn a credit limit increase after making five monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening when meeting credit criteria.

Unless a bump in your credit limit is important to you, the Discover it® Student Cash Back is usually a better choice than the Chase Freedom® Student credit card.

Is the Discover it® Student Cash Back right for you?

Students willing to keep track of bonus categories can maximize their cash back with the Discover it® Student Cash Back, while also building credit through responsible credit practices.

But if remembering to opt into the categories quarterly is too much of a hassle, the Discover it® Student Chrome may be a better fit. Whichever you choose, paying on time and keeping balances low will help build a great credit score.

The information related to Chase Freedom® Student credit card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.

The information related to the Discover it® Student Cash Back, Discover it® Student Chrome, Chase Freedom® Student credit card, Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and Discover it® Cash Back has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.