7 Best Student Credit Cards With No Credit History in 2023

If you don’t have a credit history, a student credit card can help you build your credit score and get access to better credit rates in the future. Here are the best student credit cards with no credit history required.

Student credit card for building credit

Student credit cards provide an excellent way for college students to build a good credit history. However, getting a credit card can be hard for students as they generally do not have a credit score built up at the start, and many card companies have a minimum credit requirement.

Some credit card issuers, however, recognize that young adults do not have an established credit history and need to start somewhere, and that’s why there are credit cards available specifically for students. Some of them provide cashback rewards and other benefits like zero annual fees. These student credit cards can help build up your credit score from scratch. When looking for the best card to build credit, the most important factor to consider is that the company reports to the major credit bureaus.

Below is our list of the best student credit cards with no credit history, along with their fees, benefits, and specific eligibility requirements.

Best Student Credit Cards With No Credit History Required

Consider any one of the following student credit cards if you don’t have a good credit score yet. Before applying for any card, compare all the features and benefits and determine which one is right for you.

LenderScholaroo ratingAPR Rate %Minimum Credit Score

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Best for cash back rewards

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4.8/518.24% - 27.24%No minimum credit score

Capital One® Platinum Secured®

Best for a low minimum security deposit

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4.6/530.49%No minimum credit score

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured

Great secured card for rewards

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4.6/528.24%No minimum credit score

Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa®

Best for no fees and no interest

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4.6/50%No minimum credit score

Discover it® Secured

Great for building credit with no fees

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4.4/528.24%No minimum credit score

Capital One Quicksilver Student

Great for above-average rewards

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4.5/519.99% - 29.99%No minimum credit score

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card

Best for dining and takeout rewards

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4.3/529.99%No minimum credit score
Lender

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Best for cash back rewards

Scholaroo rating
4.8/5
APR Rate %
18.24% - 27.24%
Minimum Credit Score
No minimum credit score
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Lender

Capital One® Platinum Secured®

Best for a low minimum security deposit

Scholaroo rating
4.6/5
APR Rate %
30.49%
Minimum Credit Score
No minimum credit score
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Lender

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured

Great secured card for rewards

Scholaroo rating
4.6/5
APR Rate %
28.24%
Minimum Credit Score
No minimum credit score
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Lender

Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa®

Best for no fees and no interest

Scholaroo rating
4.6/5
APR Rate %
0%
Minimum Credit Score
No minimum credit score
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Lender

Discover it® Secured

Great for building credit with no fees

Scholaroo rating
4.4/5
APR Rate %
28.24%
Minimum Credit Score
No minimum credit score
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Lender

Capital One Quicksilver Student

Great for above-average rewards

Scholaroo rating
4.5/5
APR Rate %
19.99% - 29.99%
Minimum Credit Score
No minimum credit score
Visit website
Lender

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card

Best for dining and takeout rewards

Scholaroo rating
4.3/5
APR Rate %
29.99%
Minimum Credit Score
No minimum credit score
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#1 Discover It® Student Cash Back Credit Card

Best for cash back rewards

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Discover It® Student Cash Back

4.8
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR18.24% - 27.24%
Annual Fee$0
Rewards5% cash back on Amazon purchases
Credit scoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Discover It® Student Cash Back is a card specifically for students who do not have a credit history. It is a popular choice for an easy first card among students due to the high cash back rewards it offers and no security deposit.

You can earn 5% cash back each quarter on spending at grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. On all other purchases, an unlimited 1% cash back is earned automatically. The rewards you earn can be redeemed as cash or for online shopping with PayPal any time you want. It charges 0% APR for the first 6 months on purchases after which regular rates apply.

This card has multiple designs that students can choose from. Moreover, Discover It® Student Cash Back charges no annual or foreign transaction fees making it more affordable for students.

Pros

  • High cash back rewards
  • No security deposit, no annual fees, and no foreign transaction fees
  • 0% Introductory APR for 6 months
  • Multiple designs to choose from
  • No credit history or score required to apply

Cons

  • Limited acceptability when compared to Visa, Mastercard, or American Express
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Enrolled in college
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have a Social Security Number
  • Must have verifiable income (part-time or full-time)

Cash Back:

  • 5% cash back on everyday purchases from Amazon as well as selected grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Plus, 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome Offer:

  • You’ll get an unlimited cashback match, where Discover will automatically match all the cashback rewards you’ve earned at the end of the first year.

#2 Capital One® Platinum Secured Mastercard®

Best for a low minimum security deposit

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Capital One® Platinum Secured Mastercard®

4.7
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR30.49%
Annual fee$0
RewardsN/A
Credit scoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

The Platinum Secured Mastercard® by Capital One is a card for building credit from scratch. It requires no credit history or minimum score to apply and therefore is much easier to get than other types of cards. Moreover, unlike other secured credit cards, it has a much lower minimum security deposit requirement starting at $49, making it affordable for more people. The security deposit is fully refundable upon the responsible use of the card.

Capital One® Platinum Secured Mastercard® comes with no hidden fees and allows its user to upgrade to an unsecured card in as little as six months after making on-time payments. With a maximum credit limit of $1,000, it is a good card for individuals with low monthly spending. Lower limits can also help keep the spending in check and repayments manageable.

Pros

  • No credit history required to qualify
  • No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no card replacement fees
  • Lower than average refundable minimum security deposits
  • Reports to three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Maximum credit line of $1000 allowed
  • High APR
  • Late fees of up to $40
  • No welcome bonus or other rewards
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must have a checking or savings account
  • Must pay a security deposit between $49 and $200

Pay a refundable deposit starting at $49 to get an initial credit limit of $200.

#3 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

Great secured card for rewards

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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured

4.6
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR28.24%
Annual fee$0
Rewards2% cash back on selected deals
Credit scoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Bank of America® has designed the Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit card specifically for people with no credit history or poor credit, including students. The security deposit for this card ranges from $200 to $5,000 and determines the credit limit on the card. It is one of the few secured cards that allow a higher maximum credit limit of almost $5,000. With responsible use of the card, its borrowers can build a credit history from scratch along with earning various rewards.

This card offers high cash back rewards that can be beneficial to students and other users alike. It allows cash back rewards as high as 3% in a category of your choice along with a 2% reward at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on the first $2,500 in combined purchases every quarter. On all other purchases, it gives an unlimited 1% in cash back.

Pros

  • No credit history required to qualify
  • Helps to build credit
  • High cash back rewards of 3% in a chosen category, 2% at grocery stores, and 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Security deposit of $200 minimum
  • Late payment fee of up to $40
  • No welcome bonus
  • Requires a security deposit
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Up to 3% cash back on gas, online shopping, dining, travel, or home improvement.
  • 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in purchases, then earn 1%.

#4 Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card

Best for no fees and no interest

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Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa®

4.6
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR0%
Annual fee$0
RewardsN/A
Credit scoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

The Chime® Credit Builder Visa® credit card is easy to get with no credit history. You pay a security deposit into your Chime account, which becomes your credit limit and you can use it to pay your outstanding balance. This helps avoid missing any payments, establishing good credit habits, and developing a positive credit history. They report to the three major credit bureaus to help you establish a credit history and also track it easily.

This is a cheap card to use as it charges 0% interest and there is no annual fee included either. Moreover, Chime Credit Builder is a Visa card that has a wider acceptance worldwide. You can also use it at ATMs.

There are, however, no rewards or benefits associated with this card and you also need a checking account for it. It is a basic card to use for building credit mainly.

Pros

  • No annual fee or interest rates charged
  • No credit check required to apply
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus
  • No pre-set credit limit, it depends on how much you deposit in your Chime account
  • Can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash

Cons

  • Requires a Chime Checking Account
  • Opening a Chime Checking Account requires a direct deposit of $200
  • No rewards or bonuses offered
  • Must be 18 years old
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must have a Social Security Number
  • Must provide proof of ‌income

No rewards offered.

#5 Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Great for building credit with no fees

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Discover It® Secured

4.4
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR28.24%
Annual fee$0
Rewards2% cash back (minimum spend applies)
Credit scoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Discover It® Secured is another secured credit card that does not require a credit history or minimum score for approval. It has very basic eligibility criteria allowing a higher chance of approval for most students who apply. You can build a credit history with this card as it reports to the three major credit bureaus. To get the card, a minimum of $200 is required as a security deposit.

It is one of the few secured credit cards that give high cash back rewards. Moreover, Discover It® Secured charges no annual fee, and its security deposit is also refundable after using the card responsibly for 7 months. For the first 6 months, the card charges a lower APR of 10.99%, after which full rates are charged. You can also become automatically eligible for an upgrade after 7 months of using the card and making on-time payments.

There is a lower maximum credit limit of $2,500, and Discover also has a limited acceptance abroad compared to other payment networks.

Pros

  • Great cash back rewards including 2% on $1000 quarterly at selected categories, and 1% on all other purchases
  • Reports to the major credit bureaus
  • Lower APR charged for the first 6 months
  • No credit history needed to apply
  • Possibility of upgrading to an unsecured card after seven months
  • Unlimited cash back match at the end of first year

Cons

  • Minimum security deposit of $200
  • Lower acceptance abroad
  • Maximum credit limit of $2,500
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must have a bank account
  • Must pay a security deposit
  • Must have a social security number
  • Earn 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations up to purchases of $1,000 per quarter. All other purchases earn 1%.
  • An intro bonus of an unlimited cashback match on all cash back you earn during the first year.

#6 Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Great for above-average rewards

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Capital One Quicksilver Student

4.5
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR19.99% - 29.99%
Annual fee$0
RewardsUnlimited 1.5% cash back
Credit scoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card has no annual fees, a very decent cashback rewards program, and no credit history requirement. This makes the card ideal for students who want to earn rewards while building a credit history.

The card comes with a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases, and a 10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for six months. After this, an APR of 17.99% to 26.99% will apply.

The card offers a 24-hour travel assistance benefit, and there are no foreign transaction fees,  making it ideal for students traveling outside of the U.S.

Pros

  • No credit history required
  • 1% - 2% cash back on purchases
  • 0% purchase intro APR for six months
  • No annual fees or foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Balance transfer fee
  • No initial rewards bonus
  • Be 18 years or older
  • Must have a Social Security Number
  • Must have a steady income

Cash back:

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
  • Earn 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases.

Early spend bonus:

  • Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.

Referral bonus:

  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring family and friends.

#7 U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card

Best for dining and takeout rewards

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U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card

4.3
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR29.99%
Annual fee$0
RewardsEarn 4x points on dining and takeout
Credit scoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

This is a secured credit building card that does not require a credit history, has a $0 annual fee, and has a higher maximum credit limit of $5,000. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Credit Card reports to all three major bureaus and if you use your card well and make on-time payments, it can help build a good credit score in no time.

After you have an established credit history and a reasonable score, U.S. Bank Altitude® will automatically qualify you for their Go Visa Signature Card with higher spending limits and more benefits. This card also awards points for spending on multiple categories and everyday purchases. The highest points are awarded on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery which can be an attractive feature for many students. You can also earn a $15 annual streaming credit.

Compared to other cards, however, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card charges a higher minimum security deposit amount.

Pros

  • No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
  • Up to 4x bonus points on dining and takeout
  • 2x points on grocery stores and gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases
  • Higher maximum monthly spending comparatively
  • Reports to the major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Higher than average minimum security deposit of $300
  • No low intro APR offering
  • Minimum security deposit of $300
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must be a U.S. citizen

Dining and takeout

  • Earn 4 points for purchases on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery.

Other purchases

  • Earn 2 points for purchases at grocery stores, streaming services, gas stations, and EV charging stations.
  • Earn 1 point for all other eligible purchases.

What Is a Student Credit Card?

Student credit cards are cards that are typically aimed at young adults or students who don’t yet have a credit history. These cards help you build your credit so you can qualify for better rates and unsecured loans or cards in the future.

Student credit cards often come with perks like cashback bonuses or no annual fees, so you can earn rewards while working towards building your credit history. They also come with easy approval and more generous terms than other cards for people with no credit.

Most student credit cards don’t require a minimum credit score, but some may ask for a security deposit that serves as your initial credit limit. These cards are meant to be used for a short period so you can build your credit score and qualify for better deals.

How To Choose a Student Credit Card With No Credit

When you’re choosing your first credit card as a student, you should compare different cards and their features, and read the terms and conditions carefully before making a choice.

Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a student credit card:

  • Interest rates: You should always look for a student credit card with low interest rates to make sure you are getting the best deal on your purchases. Some cards offer a very low introductory APR but beware of higher interest rates when the intro period is over.
  • Annual fees: Check what kind of annual fee is associated with a particular student credit card and decide if it’s worth it for you. If the card offers a lot of rewards that you can benefit from, it might be worth the fee. Most student credit cards, however, come with no annual fee.
  • Rewards programs: Many student credit cards offer rewards programs that can help you save money when shopping. Look for a card that offers discounts and bonus points to maximize your savings.
  • Security deposits: Unsecured credit cards can save you money at the beginning as they do not require any security deposits which will save you money initially. On the contrary, secured credit cards generally require a security deposit of $200 or higher, which you can get back as soon as you qualify for a better deal. Cards that require a deposit (secured credit cards) are often given to people with no credit history, like students or young adults, to give them a chance to build their credit profile while providing some security to the card issuer.

Types of Student Credit Cards

Finding the right credit card for a student without a credit history involves understanding what types of cards exist and their associated benefits.

Here are the different student credit cards available and their features:

  1. Secured credit cards: One of the more common credit cards, secured cards requires a security deposit that will serve as your credit limit. As a result, credit limits on secured cards of typically lower than unsecured cards. They allow students with no credit history the opportunity to build their credit score and show that they can handle credit responsibly. These are easier to get approved for and can help you build credit.
  2. Unsecured credit cards: The most common type of credit card, unsecured cards don’t require a security deposit and typically offer higher spending limits than secured cards. You need to have a good credit score to qualify for an unsecured credit card but may get better interest rates. These are more difficult to be approved for people with poor credit.
  3. Prepaid credit cards: This is a card that can be used like a credit card without the need to be approved. The cardholder funds the prepaid credit card and it typically has a lower spending limit. The benefit is that you can have a credit card that doesn’t require a credit score to be approved, but the downside is that it won’t help you build a credit history. These cards are good for developing budgeting skills. They usually do not offer rewards and have lower spending limits.
  4. Store credit cards: These types of cards are usually issued by retailers and department stores and can be used to purchase items at the store. Store credit cards have lower spending limits than other types of cards and are often easier to be approved for, making them a good choice for students with no credit history who want to start building their credit profile. These cards may come with various store-specific discounts but may have low spending limits and higher interest rates.

How to Build Credit With a Student Credit Card

There are a few ways that a student credit card can help you build a good credit score:

  • Always pay on time: It is important to make your payments on time every month. Try to pay off your balance as soon as you can and pay more than the minimum amount required. Keep in mind that late payments may also attract a penalty fee. Making payments on time is the most important way of building and maintaining a good credit profile as your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO credit score.
  • Keep a low credit utilization: If you maintain a high credit utilization ratio, you may be seen as a risky borrower. Try to maintain a credit utilization ratio of 30% or lower as this may also get you better interest rates from lenders. You can also increase your credit limit, which in turn will lower your credit utilization and raise your FICO score.
  • Use your card regularly but responsibly: It is important to use your card regularly, but only if you can afford to do so. Using your credit card can help you build your credit and the best option is to repay the full balance at the end of the month to avoid unnecessary interest charges.
  • Set up AutoPay: Using AutoPay will ensure that you are paying your account on time every month. Many credit card companies offer a discount for cardholders who use AutoPay, as an incentive for making payments on time.

FAQs

What are the best type of cards for students with no credit history?

Secured credit cards are the best types of credit cards and are easiest to get with no credit history. As these credit cards require a security deposit, it helps reduce the risk for the lender, making it easier to get approved for them. Your credit limit is equal to your security deposit, so it helps you ‌avoid overspending and build a good credit history. Student credit cards are also an option for such students as some lenders like Discover it do not have a minimum credit requirement on their student cards.

Can you get a student credit card without a credit score?

Yes, you can get a student credit card that doesn’t require a credit history and use it responsibly to build up your credit. Keep in mind that you may have to put down a security deposit, usually at least $200, but some cards do come with great cashback rewards.

Can I get a Capital One student card with no credit?

The Capital One® Platinum Secured Mastercard® doesn’t require a credit history. This is ideal for students as pre-approval doesn’t trigger a hard credit check and you can put down a security deposit as low as $49.

Can I get Discover It® student cash back with no credit?

The Discover It® Student Cash Back card is aimed at college students without a credit history. You don’t need a credit score to apply and there is no annual fee. You can also apply for the Discover It® Chrome for Students. Both these cards come with cash back rewards.

How can an 18-year-old with no credit get a credit card?

Students and young adults can get a credit card at 18 even if they don’t have a credit history yet. Look for student cards that are designed for first-time borrowers. However, you will need to provide proof of income to qualify, which can even be your monthly allowance transferred into your account.