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Annual Fee$0
APR18.24% - 27.24% variable
Sign-up Bonus$20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0+ (for up to 5 years)~$100 value
Rewards5% rotating categories (up to $1
Credit Scorefair
Foreign FeesNone
+ Pros
- ✓Cashback Match doubles first-year rewards
- ✓Good Grade Reward ($20/yr for 3.0+ GPA)
- ✓No annual fee + no foreign transaction fee
− Cons
- ✗5% categories rotate and cap at $1,500/quarter
- ✗Must activate categories each quarter
- ✗Discover acceptance less universal than Visa/MC
Rewards Breakdown
| Category | Rate | Monthly Spend | Annual Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotating categories (activated) | 5% | $200/mo | $120 |
| All other purchases | 1% | $300/mo | $36 |
| Cashback Match (Year 1 bonus) | 2X | — | $156 |
| Total Estimated Annual Rewards | $312 | ||
Perks & Credits
First year
Cashback Match
$20/year
Good Grade Reward
Free
Free Social Security Alerts
CFPB Consumer Complaints(Last 12 months)
2,903Credit card complaints
0%Timely response rate
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Complaints are not necessarily evidence of wrongdoing.
Who This Card Is For
- →College students getting their first credit card
- →Recent grads with limited credit history
- →Students who want real rewards while building credit
Who Should Skip This Card
- →Students who need Visa/Mastercard acceptance everywhere
- →Anyone who won't remember to activate rotating categories
- →Students with no income (may not be approved)
How It Compares
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Student Cash Back (this card) | $0 | 5% | 4.6/5 |
| Chase Freedom RiseBest Simple First Card | $0 | 1.5% | 4.1/5 |
| Capital One SavorOne Student Cash RewardsBest Student Card for Dining & Entertainment | $0 | 3% | 4.4/5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: 2026-03-31