At a Glance
Rates & Fees
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Key Features
Good Grades Reward: $20 statement credit each school year with a 3.0+ GPA (up to 5 years)
No credit history required to apply — designed for students
Free access to your FICO score
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cashback Match doubles first-year rewards — same as the standard Discover it card
- Accessible with thin or no credit history
- Good Grades Reward adds extra value for students
Tradeoffs
- Rotating 5% categories require quarterly activation
- 6-month intro APR is shorter than many non-student cards
- Requires proof of enrollment or student status to apply
How to Apply
Check whether your credit profile is a reasonable fit — Discover generally looks for applicants around 580+ FICO for the Discover it® Student Cash Back, alongside income and existing debt.
Gather your Social Security number, annual income, housing payment, and employer details before starting the application.
Apply directly through Discover's official site or app to make sure you're getting current, accurate offer terms.
Most issuers give an instant decision online; some applications are sent to manual review, which can take 7–10 business days.
If approved, activate the card and set up autopay before your first statement is due to avoid a late payment.
How It Compares
Current product highlighted| Product | Annual Fee | Purchase APR | Rewards Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | $0 | 16.49%–25.49% | 5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr) after activation, 1% everything else |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards | $0 | 18.49%–28.49% | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase |
| Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card | $0 | Charge card | Up to 5% cash back on a chosen category with Chime Prime (2% with Chime Plus), capped at $1,500/mo in eligible purchases; no rewards for base Chime members |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $95 | 21.49%–28.49% | 5x Chase Travel, 3x dining, gas/EV charging, online grocery, streaming & vacation rentals, 2x other travel |
Rates, fees, and rewards shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying.