With Discover it Student Card, earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more.
Here’s an image showcasing the Discover it® Student Cash Back Card — one of the colorful card designs tailored for students.
Discover It® Student Credit Cards: Overview
Discover offers two main student credit cards, each designed to help students build credit while earning rewards with no annual fee:
1. Discover it® Student Cash Back
Rewards:
5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations), up to $1,500 per quarter, upon activation
1% cash back on all other purchases
Cashback Match: Discover matches all cash back earned during your first year—unlimited and automatic
Fees & APR:
No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
0% introductory APR on purchases for the first six months; after that, variable rates (~17–27%) apply
Extra Perks:
No late fee on your first missed payment, then ~$41 thereafter
Free access to your FICO® score, Social Security alerts, “Freeze It” security, and online privacy protection
Considerations:
Requires quarterly activation of reward categories
5% rewards cap may not align with all spending habits
Discover has limited acceptance outside the U.S.
2. Discover it® Student Chrome (Gas & Restaurants)
Rewards:
2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter)
1% cash back on all other purchases
Cashback Match: Same unlimited first-year cashback match applies
Intro APR & Fees:
0% intro APR, variable APR thereafter
No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Benefits:
Includes the same strong security features and FICO score access
Ideal for students who: Prefer fixed, easy-to-track rewards over rotating categories
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Voices from Real Users
Students on Reddit share helpful insights:
“Discover it student is pretty good with that double cashback at the end of year 1. … My first credit card was a Discover when I was 19.”
“Personally, I prefer this card over the regular Discover It as you will usually spend much more on gas/restaurants compared to their rotating categories.” (referring to the Chrome version)
Plus, multiple users confirm it’s compatible with digital wallets like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Student Cash Back | Student Chrome (Gas & Restaurants) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | 5% rotating categories (up to $1,500/qtr), then 1% | 2% on gas & restaurants (up to $1k/qtr), then 1% |
| Cashback Match | Yes — doubles your first-year earnings | Yes — same first-year match |
| Intro APR | 0% for 6 months on purchases | 0% for 6 months |
| Fees | No foreign transaction fee | No foreign transaction fee |
| Extra Features | Full security and credit monitoring suite | Same powerful protections and tools |
| Best If You… | Like higher rewards but willing to track categories | Prefer straightforward, consistent rewards |
| Drawbacks | Requires quarterly activation, limited abroad | Lower rewards potential than rotating option |
Final Thoughts
Both Discover student cards offer excellent value for students starting their credit journey:
Choose the Cash Back version if you’re ready to engage with rotating rewards and want the highest potential cashback.
Choose the Chrome version if simplicity and steady rewards on everyday spending (like gas and dining) suit you better.
Whichever you choose, remember to:
Pay your balance in full and on time,
Use that 0% intro APR wisely,
Take advantage of security tools and credit monitoring features.
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