Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Review 2023

If you are just starting out with credit cards the Discover It Student Cash Back is a great option. Learn the details on its rewards here

Credit cards are a great tool to build a credit history when used responsibly and set up a stable financial future. Discover is one of the most popular financial institutions that provide credit cards for everyone. It offers great choices of credit cards designed specifically for students with Discover It Student Cash Back Card being one of the great options. This card is a great option for students as it can help provide the financial stability they need. 

We have discussed the features of the Discover It Student Cash back in detail below and have compared it to other similar cards that can be good starting credit cards for students which can help students with their expenses and build credit. 

Discover it® Student Cash Back Card

LenderScholarooratingOur viewAPR Rates %Minimum Credit ScoreLearn more

Discover it® Student Cash Back

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4.9/5Great for Cash Back Rewards17.74-26.74Not RequiredVisit website

Discover it Student Cash Back Card, is a great card for college students that are starting out, want to manage their finances responsibly, and maximize rewards. As its name suggests there are great cash-back rewards on everyday purchases such as gas, groceries, online shopping, and more. You can also get up to 5% cashback bonus at selected merchants along with free credits for your grades. The Discover it® Student Cash Back has rotating categories every quarter so you can earn rewards on various things. 

Pros of Student Cash Back Credit Card

  • You can Earn unlimited cash back rewards on everyday purchases.
  • You will Get up to 5% Cashback Bonus® at select merchants.
  • The intro offer of 0% APR  lets you enjoy on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 6 months.
  • There is No late fees or penalty rates for the first time, so you can easily manage your finances.

Cons of Student Cash Back Credit Card

  • Cashback rewards may be limited on certain purchases and merchants.
  • Balance transfer fees may apply after 6 months
  • The categories of rewards rotate every quarter so it is harder to keep track.
  • Maximum credit limit may be lower than other credit cards.

Main Features of The Discover it Student Cash Back Card

The Discover it® Student Cash Back Card is designed for students that not only want to build their credit but also earn rewards in the process. It has many features and advantages such as: 

  • You can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter at select rotating merchants; 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Introductory 0% APR offered on purchases for 6 months, then a variable 13.99%-22.99% APR thereafter.
  • You can get up to $20 each school year when you maintain at least a 3.0 GPA (terms apply).
  • You can earn extra rewards when you shop with the Discover Deals program at select retailers.
  • Solve all issues with Discover’s 24/7 U.S.-based customer service, mobile app, and online account center.
  • You will have access to free FICO® Credit Score and card monitoring.
  • You have the flexibility to choose your own payment due date and you can save time by setting up autopay.
  • Access to exclusive discounts on select entertainment, travel, shopping, and more with the Discover Deals program.

Eligibility Requirements for Discover it Student Cash Back Card

To get the Discover it® Student Cash Back card you must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicant needs to be 18 years of age or older.
  • Must be a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number.
  • Should have an active checking account in good standing. 
  • No declared bankruptcy in the last seven years.
  • Should be able to pass a credit check, however in some cases, no credit history is also acceptable. 
  • Must provide proof of student status, such as a valid student ID or tuition bill.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Vs Other Cards

Below is a comparison between the Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Cards and other cards. The other three cards mentioned include the Discover it Student Chrome, Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Card, and Chase Freedom® Student credit card. The following table below shows the specifics for each of the alternatives.

LenderScholarooratingOur viewAPR Rates %Minimum Credit ScoreLearn more

Discover it® Student Chrome

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4.8/5Easy Earnings on All Purchases14.49-24.49Not RequiredVisit website

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa®

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4.6/5Low Interest Rates12.99-26.00Not RequiredVisit website

Chase Freedom Student Credit Card

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4.5/5Flat Rate Offered19.74660Visit website

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

Discover offers two student credit cards: the Discover it® Student Cash Back and the Discover It® Student Chrome. Both cards have excellent rewards programs with no annual fee. There are some key differences between these two cards which we have discussed below. Generally, Student Cash Back offers more rewards and discounts than Student Chrome.

Discover it® Student Cash Back CardDiscover it® Student Chrome
Annual FeeNilNil
Late FeeNilNil
Foreign Transaction FeeNilNil
Cash Back Rewards5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter at select rotating merchants

1% cash back on all other purchases

Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of the first year

2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Categories do not rotate on Student Chrome

1% cash back on all other purchases

Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of the first year

APR0% APR on purchases for the first 6 months introductory offer

17.99% – 26.99% variable APR after 6 months

0% APR on purchases for the first 6 months introductory offer

17.99% – 26.99% variable APR after 6 months

Minimum Credit To ApplyNot requiredNot required
DiscountsDiscounts on select entertainment, travel, and shoppingNo additional discounts

All in all, both Discover cards are great for students to build credit and earn rewards. You just need to understand the details of the rewards program before choosing the one that works best for you. 

Discover it® Student Cash Back vs Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa®

Discover it® Student Cash Back is a great card for students that are starting out. A similar card for students is the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa®. Both cards are good for students and we have compared their offers for you to better understand. They both offer cash-back rewards and do not take any annual fee. However, there are some differences between the two that are mentioned in the table below.

Discover it® Student Cash Back CardPetal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa®
Annual FeeNilNil
Late FeeNilNil
Foreign Transaction FeeNilNil
Cash Back Rewards5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter at select rotating merchants

1% cash back on all other purchases

Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of first year

1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or quarterly limits
APR0% APR on purchases for first 6 months introductory offer

17.99% – 26.99% variable APR after 6 months

No Introductory offer

17.74% – 31.74% variable APR

Minimum Credit To ApplyNot requiredNot required
DiscountsDiscounts on select entertainment, travel, and shoppingNo additional discounts

To conclude, both cards have their own unique benefits and features that appeal to different types of consumers. Before making your decision, you can compare the rewards and features of each card in detail to ensure you are getting the best fit for your needs.

Discover it® Student Cash Back vs Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

For those who do not require the 5% cash back on rotating categories of the Discover it® Student Cash Back card, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is an alternative as it has a simpler cashback program. Also, Chase can be a good option for those students looking for a flat-rate option. It also has a longer introductory offer on the APR rates which can help save more on the interest rates. However, for students going abroad, Chase might not be the best option as it charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%. The table below shows how the two differ in more detail.

Discover it® Student Cash Back CardChase Freedom® Student credit card
Annual FeeNilNil
Late FeeNilYes – Up to $40
Foreign Transaction FeeNilYes – 3%
Cash Back Rewards5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter at select rotating merchants

1% cash back on all other purchases

Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of first year

$50 Welcome Bonus after the first three months

5% total Cash Back on qualifying Lyft rides

1% cash back on all other purchases

Anniversary bonus of $20 for up to 5 years

APRIntroductory APR offer as low as 0% for the first 6 months

17.99% – 26.99% variable APR after 6 months

Introductory APR offer as low as 0% for the first 18 months

19.74% Variable APR after 18 months

Minimum Credit To ApplyNot required660
DiscountsDiscounts on select entertainment, travel, and shoppingNo additional discounts

Overall, both cards are good for students. The final choice would depend on the individual needs of each student and what they prefer.

FAQs

Following are some FAQs related to the topic.

What is the credit score required for Discover Student Cash Back Credit Card ?

The credit score required to qualify for the Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card varies and depends on the eligibility of the applicants. Usually 670 or higher is required. However in some cases Discover gives promotions and offers where students without any credit history can also apply provided they meet other requirements. Students with no credit history should also look at their eligibility.

Which credit card is better for students Discover Cash back or Student Chrome?

This depends on the individual student’s needs. Both credit cards offer good rewards without an annual fee. The Discover it® Student Cash Back has rotating categories while the Student Chrome offers consistent merchants. Before making your decision, compare the rewards and features of each card to ensure you are getting the best fit for your needs.

Does the Discover it Student Cash back have a reward limit?

Yes, the Discover it® Student Cash Back Card has a quarterly reward limit of $1,500 in purchases at select rotating merchants. This means that cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter at eligible merchants, then 1% cash back on all other purchases with no annual fee.

Can you qualify for Discover Student Cash Back Card without any credit history?

Yes, even though good or excellent credit score (670 or higher) is needed to be approved for the Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card, Discover offers special promotions for students who do not have an established credit history yet. However you need to meet their income and other eligibility criteria before you can be approved. Also you may get a lower credit limit compared to those with a good credit score. 

Final Thoughts

To summarize the Discover it® Student cash back is a great starting credit card for students building their credit and earning rewards. The 5% cash back racks up good rewards, provided you are meeting their rotating categories. Additionally the Student cash back provides other discounts through Discover Deals Program which can be beneficial for students to save money.