Last Updated: September 25, 2023
3 min read
Getting a credit card
Key points about: Discover student credit cards
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If you’re over the age of 18, have a source of income, and are enrolled in a college or university, you may be eligible for a student credit card from Discover.
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Student credit cards typically have benefits, like cash back rewards or access to helpful features.
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Using a student credit card may help people build a credit history.
Student credit cardscan offer an opportunity to improve your financial literacy while earning rewards geared towards students. You do have to be a student to get a student credit card. Otherwise, the card should work similarly to any other credit card.
If you’re exploring using a credit card for the first time, you may have some questions about student credit cards. Below, find some of the answers to help you take the right next steps for you.
Student credit card FAQ
Several questions come up again and again from young credit card customers wondering about the process andbenefits of a student credit card. Hopefully these answers can help address any concerns and make you feel more confident about what, for some, is their first major financial choice as an adult.
Pre-screened credit card offersby mail may be sent to consumers aged 21 or older, and indicate that the card issuer has done a basic credit check, found that you meet certain criteria, and might be approved for the card if your credit profile remains the same and you meet income and other relevant application requirements. You do still have to apply for a pre-screened offer. You may also receive other types of offers inviting you to apply for student credit cards. You canapply for a student credit card onlineif you’re at least 18 years old. You cannot apply for offers over the telephone unless you are 21 or older. You will need to have some form of income to demonstrate that you could make monthly payments covering your transactions.
Discover offers a pre-approval form so you can check to see if you’re pre-approved with no harm to your credit. It’s fast and secure.
If you’re creditworthy on your own, issuers may not require a co-applicant.Discoverdoesn’t take co-applicants (sometimes known as co-signers) on credit card applications. Your payment is due on the due date indicated on your statement, which is generally the same day every month. If you’re still unsure, call the customer service number on your card or log in to your online account to see when your next payment is due. After you begin making purchases with your student credit card, you’ll receive a statement with your total balance. If you pay the balance in full by the due date on your statement each month, you won’t have to pay anyinterest chargeson purchases as long as your credit card issuer provides a grace period. If you pay less than the full amount, you’ll be charged interest on the balance you carry over based on your Annual Percentage Rate and the terms of your card. If you don’t pay even the minimum payment due, you also face the possibility of late fees and/or penalty interest rates. After college, you may want to apply for a car loan or an apartment lease. Both often require a check on your credit history, in which the lender assesses your creditworthiness and repayment risk. One of the common factors in credit scores is the length of time you have had lines of credit. Responsibly using a student credit card while in school can help you establish a credit history that can open these doors for you later. No, you don’t need to charge and pay off big purchases to establish credit. You can establish a credit history by making small purchases and then paying them off on time each month. You’re all set to activate your new card. You can do so by calling the phone number on the back of the card. You may also consider setting up the online account portal offered by your issuer to more frequently check on your account, make payments, and set up alerts. If you’re a student with aDiscover it® Student Chrome card, there’s no sign-up to earn 2% Cashback Bonus® at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.1Another option is theDiscover it® Student card, which allows you to earn 5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in different category purchases each quarter, when you activate. That’s up to $75 cash back each quarter! Plus, you always earn Cashback Bonus when you use your Discover card.
Study abroad and credit cards: Best practices
Studying and traveling abroad may be one of the greatest experiences you can have while in college. Meeting new people, learning about new cultures, and taking in all the sights and sounds of your temporary home are all part of what make it such an adventure. One way to help ensure your trip abroad is as hassle-free as possible: a credit card. Consider these four reasons for why you should use a credit card while studying abroad.
Credit can be cheaper than cash
Debit cards can come with hefty foreign transaction fees and international ATM fees. Cash can get lost and be difficult to change into local currency.Using a credit card abroadmay save you some money if your credit card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. If you can, say, charge dinner on a card instead of having to find cash, that may be the most cost-effective solution.
You’re covered in the event of fraud
If you’re carrying cash and your wallet is stolen or lost, bid your money farewell. However, many cards havefraud monitoringthat may help detect fraudulent transactions. With Discover cards, you’re never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card account.2
You build credit history even while abroad
Building credit history is one of the main advantages to carrying a credit card and you’re not doing that if you’re using cash. If you charge sensibly and pay your bills on time, you’ll be building your credit history for life after college.
Did you know?
The Discoverstudent credit card helps you build your credit history.3 Compare student credit cards to find the one most suited for your spending needs.
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Call before you go
Before your study abroad trip begins, you should contact your debit and credit card issuers to inform them of where and when you’ll be traveling. This prevents your accounts from being frozen when your cards are used overseas, which otherwise could appear to suggest suspicious or fraudulent activity.
Ensure account access
You should also make a note of the accounts you have and the relevant telephone contact information, which may be different than the U.S.-based number. Make sure that you haveonline access to all of your accountsand make note of all of your payment due dates. It may help to setemail or text remindersof your payment due dates, and also be aware if your mobile phone provider will charge you for receiving texts in the country you’ll be living in. Alternatively, you can configure your accounts to automatically make payments. By learning the best ways to exchange currency and make purchases in another country, you can help get the most from your study abroad trip—and focus on all the adventures you’re having—without stressing out about your money.
