Choosing the best student credit card for you

As a college student, you’re constantly making decisions: which classes to take, where to eat and what to do on the weekends. On top of that, you’re thinking about your future.

Using a credit card responsibly to build credit now could help after graduation when you’re ready to rent an apartment, buy a house or apply for jobs. And if you’re looking for a credit card, why not start your search with an award-winning card from Capital One?

What you’ll learn:

• CardRatings named Quicksilver Student the best student card of 2024 because of the card’s easy-to-understand rewards, welcome bonus and $0 annual fee.¹ View important rates and disclosures.

• Quicksilver Student cardholders can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.

• Savor Student cardholders can earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases.^2,3

• Student credit cards are designed for college students who have little or no credit history.

Capital One offers two student credit cards: Savor Student and Quicksilver Student.

View important rates and disclosures.

The Quicksilver Student credit card was named CardRatings’ best student credit card as part of its 2024 Best of the Year list. The list was determined by CardRatings editors and informed by polls of thousands of cardholders.¹

As part of its review, CardRatings said, “College is already tough enough to navigate; students don’t need another thing on their plate to worry about. [The Quicksilver Student] card makes earning simple with 1.5% cash back earned on all purchases made. No caps, no spend categories; just simple and easy-to-earn rewards.”

The site also listed the Quicksilver Student card’s easy-to-understand rewards that never expire, welcome bonus and $0 annual fee as its pros. View important rates and disclosures.

​​View important rates and disclosures.

The Savor Student credit card can help young adults build credit with responsible use while earning rewards focused on food and fun. Cardholders can earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Student credit cards are designed for college students, who typically have limited or no credit history. They can allow students to access and build credit with responsible use.

They generally work the same as traditional credit cards. But they can be ideal for college students getting their first or second credit card, and rewards might be tailored for students. Credit limits might also be lower, which could be helpful for first-time cardholders learning to manage monthly statements.

As with all credit cards, you have to be at least 18 years old to apply for a student credit card. If you’re under 21, you have to show that you can make the minimum monthly payments or have a co-signer.

To be eligible for student credit cards, you might also have to show that you’re enrolled in a college or university. Capital One considers someone a student if they’re currently enrolled, or admitted and planning to enroll in the next three months, at an accredited university, community college or other higher education institution.

Student credit cards are generally designed for college students who may be applying for their first credit card and typically have limited or no credit history. A credit score may not be required to apply, so a student credit card might be an easier way to access credit.

Credit card companies have different policies regarding income and how much is required for approval. But if you’re under 21, federal law requires you to show that your personal income allows you to make at least monthly minimum payments. 

Some credit issuers may consider scholarships, earnings from a work-study position and regular financial support from a family member as personal income.

When you’re weighing card options, the card rewards, terms and benefits are good places to start.

Every little bit counts when you’re a student. So it might be worth looking for a credit card that rewards you for using it. When you use a cash back card, for example, you can earn back a percentage of what you spend.

If you prioritize food and fun, the Savor Student card could be a good fit. If you prefer more consistent rewards for every purchase, a Quicksilver Student card could be right for you. Both also offer elevated rewards for purchases through Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment.

Plus, Capital One’s cash back credit cards also offer flexible redemption options. That could mean applying cash back toward a recent purchase, crediting your account to lower your balance or getting a gift card delivered to your home.

Some credit cards involve paying an annual fee to use and access their benefits. They may also charge foreign transaction fees for any purchases outside the U.S. But these and other fees can be tough if you’re on a budget or planning to study abroad. That’s why you might want to consider a Capital One student credit card with no annual fee, foreign transaction fees or hidden fees. View important rates and disclosures.

Some credit cards may offer bonuses to new cardholders. Both the Savor Student and Quicksilver Student cards let you earn a one-time $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 within three months of opening an account.⁴

When your credit card issuer reports your payments to the three major credit bureaus, it builds a record of how you’ve managed debt. When you use a student credit card responsibly by doing things like making on-time payments, you can build a positive credit history while you’re still in school. It means you won’t be starting from scratch when you graduate.

Having a good credit history can help you in lots of different situations, including:

• Qualifying for more credit: Good credit scores can improve your ability to qualify for a mortgage, a car loan and more. They could also help you secure a lower interest rate and a higher credit limit.

• Finding a home: Landlords may check your credit history when you apply to rent an apartment.

• Buying a cellphone: If you have poor credit, some cellphone companies may require a security deposit or ask you to prepay when opening your account. Good credit may help you avoid those up-front costs.

• Getting a job: When you apply for a job, some companies may look at your credit reports as part of a background check. While it’s possible to get a job with less-than-perfect credit, employers might see things like late payments and bankruptcies as possible red flags. 

• Securing utility services: Your credit may also be considered when you set up accounts for utilities like electricity or internet service. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “Getting utility services…has a lot to do with your credit history. The better your credit history, the easier it will be for you to get services.”

Still have questions about student credit cards? Look no further.

CardRatings named Quicksilver Student the best student credit card for 2024. And the Savor Student card offers cash back rewards on food and fun. Both cards offer cash back rewards and no annual or foreign transaction fees, but they have some differences. View important rates and disclosures.

If you’re looking for a way to build credit and earn rewards while you’re in college, using a student credit card responsibly may be a good option.

• See if you’re pre-approved for a student credit card without harming your credit scores.

• Explore student rewards credit cards you can use to build credit with responsible use.

• Earn unlimited cash back on food and fun with the Savor Student card. 

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, with the Quicksilver Student card.