Best Credit Cards For Students With No Credit In May 2024

Forbes Advisor looked at dozens of offers to find and rank the best student cards for those with no credit. Factors considered include.

• APR
• Fees
• Opportunities to upgrade to unsecured cards
• Credit bureau reporting
• Rewards
• Rewards redemption options
• Other ongoing card benefits

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case. Sometimes, cards with average stand-alone ratings may still rank highly on a particular list according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre overall could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Forbes Advisor uses data from multiple government agencies to determine how much a typical cardholder might spend. We use the same numbers for cards in the same category to make sure we are comparing cards the same way. The bonus categories for spending included with each card are factored into our determination of how many rewards a cardholder could expect to earn if they use the card as a consumer normally would.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards.

A student credit card is a credit card designed for and issued to college or university students. Student cards will generally have fewer perks and lower credit limits than credit cards designed for consumers with stronger credit and higher income, as students are likely expected to have little to no income or collateral and weaker or no credit history.

The best student cards still offer rewards and some additional benefits, but in some cases where a student card seems to be a watered-down version of another consumer card, a student card may offer fewer extra benefits and can offer moderated rewards earning. The Discover it® Student Cash Back, for example, shares many similarities with the Discover it® Cash Back, but with a more limited introductory APR period.

Credit remains a fundamental building block of a strong financial lifestyle. Good credit can unlock a world of possibilities: Lenders will lend you money, landlords will rent you apartments and houses and car dealerships will allow you to lease cars and trucks. If you’re starting a business, credit is particularly important in finding funding for your startup. But credit is a measure of financial trust and starting without any can be particularly challenging.

Student credit cards are designed for students with limited credit history and are generally easier to get approved for than non-student cards. But it’s important to use credit responsibly no matter what kind of card you have. Doing so will build your credit over time. Such steps include:

• Always paying bills on time and in full
• Not carrying balances to avoid interest
• Reading the fine print to fully understand your card’s terms
• Keeping your credit utilization (the amount of your credit you actually use) low—ideally below 30%
• Not applying for too many cards in a short period.

Yes. It’s easier to make a good first impression than to repair a bad one. Though some products—including secured cards—do exist to help rebuild credit, it’s a longer road to success than if you’re starting completely fresh with a blank slate.

Read more: The Best Credit Cards for Rebuilding Credit

Read more: The Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

When comparing credit cards for college students with no credit, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the best option..

• Annual fees: Check if the credit cards have an annual fee. As a student, you’d want to avoid unnecessary costs, so look for cards with no annual fee or at least a low fee.
• Interest rates (APR): Compare the Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of different cards. Since you have no credit history, your APR might be higher initially. Still, try to find a card with a relatively lower APR to save on interest charges. That said, no matter what your APR is, remember that using credit cards is an expensive way to borrow money. You’ll want to know what your APR is, but hopefully you won’t need to use it.
• Rewards and benefits: Consider credit cards that offer rewards or cash back on categories where you typically spend.
• Introductory offers: Look for cards with attractive introductory offers, such as 0% APR for the first few months or bonus rewards for spending a certain amount within the first few months. If you take advantage of a card with an introductory offer, don’t use it as an excuse to overspend, though.
• Credit building opportunities: Find out if the card issuer reports to the three major credit bureaus. A card that reports your activity to credit bureaus can help you build a positive credit history over time.
• Foreign transaction fees: If you plan to study abroad or travel internationally, check if the card charges foreign transaction fees. It’s better to have a card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid additional costs.
• Credit education resources: Some credit card issuers offer educational resources to help you understand credit and build responsible financial habits. Consider cards that provide such resources

Receiving approval for a credit card despite a complete lack of credit can be challenging, but it’s not impossible—especially if you’re applying for a student or secured card. If you’re looking to do this, you’re in the right place; the first step is finding a card you’ll likely be able to receive approval for without needing any credit. Once you’ve found a card that seems right for you and you’ve read over all the terms, conditions and details of an offer from the card issuer, you can often visit the card issuer’s website and fill out an application or call the issuer to apply over the phone.

Applications may require a few hours or days for processing and a card issuer may contact you for more information. It’s illegal to lie or bend the truth on a credit card application, but do provide as much information as you can to help the card issuer see you’re a responsible candidate. Once issued, you should receive a card by mail and may in some cases receive a virtual card number for use online immediately.

Applying for your first credit card may be a stressful, confusing process. For more information, check out our guide to applying for your first credit card.

• Best Student Credit Cards
• Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card Review
• What To Put For Income On A Student Credit Card Application
• Should You Worry About No Credit Score?