Discover it Student Cash Back
No fee
Discover
Discover it Student Cash Back
4.5
(1,543 reviews)studentcashback
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|CFP-reviewed|Updated April 2026The best student credit card overall. Discover's Cashback Match effectively doubles all rewards earned in your first year — making a 5% rotating category card worth up to 10% on quarterly categories during year one. No annual fee, no late fee on your first missed payment, and a $20 Good Grades reward make this extraordinarily forgiving for first-time cardholders.
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Purchase APR
18.24% – 27.24%
Rewards
1% base rate
Sign-Up Bonus
$150 value
Credit Score
No Credit History
Foreign Txn Fee
None
Who Should Get This Card
The Discover it Student Cash Back is best suited for those building credit who students wanting maximum first-year rewards. With no annual fee, there's zero cost to keep it in your wallet long-term.
This card is great if you…
- Cashback Match doubles year-1 rewards
- 5% rotating categories
- No annual fee, no late fee (first missed)
- Students wanting maximum first-year rewards
Consider another card if you…
- Discover less accepted internationally
- Rotating categories require activation
- Lower base rate (1%)
Rewards Breakdown
5% rotating categories (quarterly), 1% everything else + Cashback Match first year
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Rotating categories (quarterly)(Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories up to 1,500 dollars (activation required) — historically Amazon, restaurants, gas, and grocery stores — plus 1% everywhere else. Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year with no cap, effectively doubling first-year rewards and making this one of the best-value starter cards available.) | 5% |
| Everything else | 1% |
Rewards Distribution
5%
top rate
Rotating categories (quarterly)5%83%
Everything else1%17%
Sign-Up Bonus
Cashback Match — all cash back earned in year 1 doubled
Fees & APR
| Annual Fee | No annual fee |
| Purchase APR | 18.24% – 27.24% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | 0% for 6 months |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
| Late Fee | Up to $0 |
Pros & Cons
Cashback Match doubles year-1 rewards
5% rotating categories
No annual fee, no late fee (first missed)
Good Grades reward
No credit history needed
Discover less accepted internationally
Rotating categories require activation
Lower base rate (1%)
The Bottom Line
The Good: The Discover it Student Cash Back stands out for its cashback match doubles year-1 rewards. The welcome bonus worth $150 adds significant first-year value. No foreign transaction fees make it a strong pick for international spending.
The Not So Good: Discover less accepted internationally.
Our Verdict: With an editor score of 9/10, the Discover it Student Cash Back is one of our top-rated cards in its category. With no annual fee, there's no risk in trying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee for the Discover it Student Cash Back?▾
The Discover it Student Cash Back has no annual fee — you'll never be charged just for keeping the card open.
What is the sign-up bonus for the Discover it Student Cash Back?▾
The Discover it Student Cash Back currently offers a sign-up bonus worth approximately $150. Cashback Match — all cash back earned in year 1 doubled Terms apply — always verify the current offer directly with the issuer.
How do the rewards work on the Discover it Student Cash Back?▾
The Discover it Student Cash Back earns 1% on all purchases, and up to 5% in select bonus categories. Rewards are earned as cash back credited to your statement.
What credit score do I need for the Discover it Student Cash Back?▾
The Discover it Student Cash Back is recommended for applicants with no credit history credit. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on your full credit profile.
Does the Discover it Student Cash Back charge a foreign transaction fee?▾
No — the Discover it Student Cash Back has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international purchases and travel abroad.
What is the APR on the Discover it Student Cash Back?▾
The Discover it Student Cash Back has a variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24%, with a 0% intro APR for the first 6 months. If you carry a balance, interest charges can quickly outweigh any rewards earned.
Who is the Discover it Student Cash Back best for?▾
The Discover it Student Cash Back is best for Students wanting maximum first-year rewards. A key advantage: cashback match doubles year-1 rewards.
Customer Reviews
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