What is the average credit score needed to get approved for Discover it® Student Cash Back?

There is no minimum credit score required to apply for a Discover it® Student Cash Back. Applicants with no credit history may be approved.

Does Discover it® Student Cash Back report to all three credit bureaus?

Yes, Discover Bank reports your credit history to the three main credit bureaus, giving you an opportunity to improve your score over time.

Is the Discover it® Student Cash Back application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?

The application process is quite simple and straightforward. To apply, customers only need to visit the application page on the website and provide the required information. No credit score is required to apply.

What information is needed to apply for Discover it® Student Cash Back?

While applying for the Discover it® Student Cash Back, you will need to be at least 18 years of age and have a U.S. mailing address, social security number and proof of education.

Does Discover it® Student Cash Back have good customer service or satisfaction?

Discover Bank was ranked as the second-best credit card company for customer service by J.D. Power. The company’s customer support team is available 24/7 to answer questions.

Does Discover it® Student Cash Back have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?

Discover Bank provides cardholders with a mobile app that they can use to manage their account. Customers can also manage their accounts online through the company website.

Does Discover it® Student Cash Back raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?

Discover Bank does not automatically increase credit limits. Students who wish to increase their limits can call the bank or submit a request online.

Does Discover it® Student Cash Back offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?

Yes, you are allowed to freeze your account using the Freeze It feature provided by the bank. Once you freeze your account, you won’t be able to use the card to make purchases, request for cash advances or balance transfers.

Does Discover Bank offer other credit cards besides Discover it® Student Cash Back?

Discover Bank offers various other credit cards, including the Discover It Student Chrome Credit Card, Discover It Miles, Discover it® chrome and NHL Discover It Credit Card.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card Review

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

Discover it® Student Cash Back
A good no-annual-fee students credit card with bonus cash back
- 1%–5% Cash backRewards Rate
- 18.24% – 27.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Limited–FairRecommended Credit
We recommend the Discover it® Student Cash Back to students who wish to build their credit and get rewarded for their spending along the way. You don’t need a credit score to apply for this card. It comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases for the first six months as well as a low APR offer on balance transfers for equally long. What also helps is you pay no annual fee for as long as your account remains active.
You earn 5% cash back on revolving bonus categories up to a quarterly maximum. The category on offer changes each quarter, and you need to activate it to earn the bonus cash back. All other purchases come with 1% cash back. In addition, Discover will match the total cash back you earn during the first year and transfer it to your account automatically.
You may continue using this card even after you graduate. In this case, updating your income might result in a higher credit limit. Using this card when you travel internationally is perfect because it charges no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
No annual fees
No foreign transaction fees
Discover matches the cash back you earn in the first year
Up to 5% cash back on revolving bonus categories
All other purchases earn 1% cash back
0% APR on purchases for the first six months, then a variable APR of 17.74% – 26.74% after that
10.99% APR on balance transfers for the first six months, then 17.74% – 26.74% variable APR will apply
Multiple card designs on offer

Cons
Bonus categories require activation
A quarterly maximum limit applies on the bonus 5% cash back you may earn
Balance transfer intro APR offer is valid for a limited time
No annual and foreign transaction fees
Need no credit history to apply
Up to 5% cash back on revolving bonus categories that change each quarter
Need to activate bonus categories
Revolving bonus categories include gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, Amazon.com and payments made via PayPal
Redeem cash back as statement credit, a direct deposit or to checkout at Amazon or PayPal
3% balance transfer fee until August 10, 2023, and 5% thereafter
No penalty APR
Choose from multiple card designs
Free access to FICO Score
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated credit cards.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

To select the best credit cards across different categories, MoneyGeek followed a streamlined process. Our methodology entailed obtaining information from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau database, standardizing comparison data points, estimating average spend profiles, establishing long-term value and conducting regular reviews.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card allows students to build their credit score and earn rewards as they make purchases with the card. The card features attractive rewards, but it should be noted that your APR will increase if you carry a balance to the following month or miss payments.

Cardholders pay no annual fee and enjoy a 0% intro APR for the first six months, then a 17.99% – 26.99% variable APR will apply.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Overview

The Discover it® Student Cash Back comes with a 5% cash back bonus on select rewards offered on a quarterly basis. The card also offers a 1% cash back reward on all other purchases. However, the cash back bonus does not apply to balance transfers, purchases made using the rewards or any cash received in connection with a purchase at the point of sale including Discover Bank’s Cash Over feature. The rewards do not expire during the lifetime of your account, and you can redeem them in various ways.

Quick Take

No annual and foreign transaction fees
Need no credit history to apply
Up to 5% cash back on revolving bonus categories that change each quarter
Need to activate bonus categories
Revolving bonus categories include gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, Amazon.com and payments made via PayPal
Redeem cash back as statement credit, a direct deposit or to checkout at Amazon or PayPal
3% balance transfer fee until October 10, 2023, and 5% thereafter
No penalty APR
Choose from multiple card designs
Free access to FICO Score

Important Card Details

Regular APR
The Discover it® Student Cash Back features an intro APR of 0% for the first six months, after which you will pay between 17.99% – 26.99% annually based on your creditworthiness. Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, this is a high APR in comparison to other credit card providers.
Balance Transfer APR
For this card, you will get an intro balance transfer APR of 10.99% until six months after the date of the first transfer. After the intro period, the APR will be 17.99% – 26.99%, depending on your creditworthiness.
Cash Advance Rates
You will receive a cash advance at a fee of either $10 or 5%, whichever is higher. The cash advance APR is 29.99%, which is considered a very high APR.
Late Payment
Cardholders pay nothing the first time they miss a payment. After that, they will pay up to $40.
Balance Transfer Fees
There is an intro fee of 3% of the amount transferred until October 10, 2023. After this period, the fee will be 5% of each transfer amount.

Additional Benefits

Aside from the Discover it® Student Cash Back benefits, the card has the following additional features:

Balance transfer: The card allows you to transfer balances from other existing cards. It takes a minimum of 14 days after opening your account to be able to transfer payments to other accounts. Discover Bank balance transfers do not earn rewards, and you can transfer any amount below your total credit line. For the first six months, you’ll be subject to a reduced intro APR of 10.99%. After six months, your APR will increase from 17.99% – 26.99%, depending on your creditworthiness.
Account Freezing: You can freeze your account to prevent Discover from authorizing any purchases, transfers and cash advances using the Freeze It feature.
Discover identity alerts: This feature is only available online and includes daily credit report monitoring and alerts for when a new inquiry or account gets listed on your report.
Free FICO credit score information: Your FICO credit score and other information will be available online at the Discover website and also provided on your account statements. You can access scores for the past year online.
Card replacement: Free overnight card replacement is available, although shipping is not provided to postal addresses and customers outside the United States.
Customer service: Cardholders may message an agent or call the bank’s 24/7 customer support helpline.
Customer satisfaction: Discover was ranked second-best overall for customer satisfaction in the 2021 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey for credit card providers.

How the Discover it® Student Cash Back Compares To Other Cards

The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers various benefits compared to other student cards. Cardholders pay no annual and international fees. They also do not need a specific credit score to apply. However, comparing the card with other available options can help you make the best choice for your needs.

How the Discover it® Student Cash Back Compares

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Annual fee: $0
Purchase APR: 17.99% – 26.99% variable
Intro APR: 0% for the first 6 months, then 17.99% – 26.99% variable APR will apply
International transaction fee: $0
Cash back rate: 1%–5%
Travel benefits: None
Credit score: None
Best for: Students who plan to make international purchases and earn rewards on specific purchases

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card for Students

Annual fee: $0
Purchase APR: 17.99% – 27.99% variable
Intro APR: 0% for the first 18 months, then 17.99% – 27.99% variable APR will apply
International transaction fee: 3%
Cash back rate: 1%–3%
Travel benefits: Yes
Credit score: None
Best for: Students focused on rebuilding their credit score and those who intend to travel outside the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

sources

Discover. "Student Cash Back Card." Accessed April 11, 2022.
Discover. "Discover Card Application." Accessed April 11, 2022.
Discover. "FAQ | Student Credit Cards." Accessed April 11, 2022.

*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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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MoneyGeek’s Take

Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card Review

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