The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.


  • Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

    Best student cash back card for limited credit history


    • 1% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 23.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • None–PoorRecommended Credit

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MoneyGeek’s methodology for this review involves collecting credit card information, standardizing data points, analyzing potential cardholder profiles, considering annual and introductory bonuses, establishing the card values and reviewing data monthly to reprocess rankings.

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is primarily meant for students with a limited credit history. Usually, people with bad credit scores would have to put down a security deposit or have a co-signer to get approved for a credit card. However, this isn't the case with this unsecured card.

Since you don’t need a Social Security number to apply for this card, it is an excellent option for international students in the U.S.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students Overview

Understanding the bonus and rewards structures of this card will help make your decision-making process easier.

Quick Take

  • Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases
  • Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student on Deserve after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles from account opening
  • Receive up to $600 in cell phone protection when you use the card to pay your monthly cell phone bill

Important Card Details

You’ll have a clear picture in your mind about the various fees associated with the Deserve EDU Mastercard for students after reading the fine print of this card. With a relatively high APR and low cash back rate, this card doesn’t excel in these areas like some competing cards.

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    Regular APR

    This card charges a high variable regular APR of 22.99%, a much higher rate than you’ll find with some other cards. This means that to avoid a lot of interest on your balance, you should pay it off in full every month.

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    Cash back Rewards Rate

    With this card, you’ll get a flat cash back reward of 1% on every type of purchase. It’s certainly better than nothing, but many other cards offer higher rates and/or bonus categories that help you accrue rewards faster.

Additional Benefits

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students also offers some other features for their customers.

  • Zero fraud liability: In case your card is lost or stolen, you won’t be liable for any unauthorized transactions that take place.
  • Mastercard ID Theft Protection: With this feature, your card will be monitored for any suspicious activity and you’ll be immediately notified if any fraudulent activity occurs.
  • Easy pre-qualification: You can pre-qualify for this card without affecting your credit score.

How the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students Compares To Other Cards

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students compares well with other cards in the same category because very few cards meant for students have a $0 annual fee and no fee for international transactions.

In-Depth Credit Card Comparisons:
How the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students Compares

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Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

  • Purchase APR: 22.99% variable
  • Annual fee: $0
  • International transactions fee: None
  • Cash back rate: 1%
  • Best for: international students without an SSN and frequent travelers
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Chase Freedom® Student credit card

  • Purchase APR: 19.99% variable
  • Annual fee: $0
  • International transactions fee: 3%
  • Cash back rate: 1%
  • Best for: Students with no credit history looking for an easy cash back rewards program

Frequently Asked Questions

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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