Discover it Student Cash Back review: Building credit with rotating bonus categories

Discover it Student Cash Back overview

The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a student-oriented card earning elevated cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating bonus categories that you activate each quarter. The card can be used to build credit history and earn rewards — even without a credit score. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

The Discover it Student Cash Back mirrors many of the same features as the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card. The two share rotating bonus categories and a $1,500 cap on elevated earnings each quarter. However, credit cards for college students are often available to those with no credit history as a tool to help them gain experience with credit cards.

The Discover it Student Cash Back is a solid option if you prefer cash-back rewards and are willing to make the extra effort to activate and maximize your 5% bonus categories each quarter. However, there are simpler options out there for those who don't want to keep up with rotating categories and better choices for travel enthusiasts to earn flexible points and miles.

The Discover it Student Cash Back has no annual fee, and no credit score is needed to apply. Keep reading to learn more about the Discover it Student Cash Back and whether it's the right card for you.

The information for the Discover it Student Cash Back and the Discover it Cash Back Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Your ultimate guide to Discover cards

Discover it Student Cash Back pros and cons

Discover it Student Cash Back welcome offer

The Discover it Student Cash Back is like other Discover products in that it doesn't offer a traditional welcome bonus.

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However, cardholders will receive a first-year cash-back match of what they earn in the first year with the card. This effectively doubles your earnings after 12 months.

This could be particularly lucrative for those who plan to spend a sizable chunk on the Discover it Student Cash Back in the first year. Plus, it's a nice incentive to continue building your credit score with multiple on-time payments.

Related: 7 reasons you should get (and keep) a no-annual-fee credit card

Discover it Student Cash Back benefits

The Discover it Student Cash Back has a limited suite of benefits, as it's aimed at being a tool for students to earn cash-back rewards while building their credit history. You shouldn't expect lounge access, multiple statement credits or insurance benefits like those that come with premium credit cards.

However, Discover reports your history with the card to the three major credit bureaus to establish credit history, which is a solid perk for college students who use the Discover it Student Cash Back responsibly. With the card, you'll also receive free access to your FICO credit score, free identity alerts and the ability to freeze your account if your card is lost or stolen.

And the Discover it Student Cash Back could be a great option for college students studying abroad, since it charges no foreign transaction fees.

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Plus, students who refer their friends to the card can earn a statement credit for each person who applies through their referral link and is approved. This promotion runs through Dec. 31, 2025.

Related: How to build credit

Earning cash back with the Discover it Student Cash Back

With the Discover it Student Cash Back, you'll get 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories each quarter you activate, on up to $1,500 in purchases quarterly. You'll get 1% cash back on everything else.

Previous bonus categories have included grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, home improvement stores, Amazon.com, popular stores like Target and more. The student card's quarterly categories mirror those offered by the Discover it Cash Back.

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Remember, you'll have to activate your categories each quarter to earn 5% back, but you can do it up to two months beforehand. Discover makes it easy to do this online or on the app.

You'll also only earn 5% on up to $1,500 in purchases quarterly, which caps your bonus category earning at $75. After that, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

If remembering to activate categories and dealing with a cap on elevated earnings are dealbreakers, it may be better to consider a flat-rate cash-back card without any limits to how much bonus cash back you can earn. Otherwise, the Discover it Student Cash Back is a solid option for many college students looking to get into credit card rewards.

Related: Are cash-back credit cards worth it?

Redeeming cash back with the Discover it Student Cash Back

Once you earn rewards with the Discover it Student Cash Back, they're relatively easy to redeem.

You can use your cash back as a statement credit, on purchases with Amazon, Apple Pay and PayPal, to make charitable donations or to buy gift cards (minimum $5 purchase for gift cards); you can also simply have it deposited into your bank account.

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You can redeem your cash-back earnings at any time and in any amount. Plus, your rewards won't expire.

Related: How to redeem cash-back rewards from your credit card

Which cards compete with the Discover it Student Cash Back?

There are multiple cards out there offering cash-back rewards for students. Here are some other options:

• If you prefer earning flat-rate cash back: The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is good for simple cash-back earnings, as you'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limits to how much you can earn. Plus, you won't be charged an annual fee.
• If you spend often on groceries, dining and entertainment: The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns cash back at an elevated rate across multiple popular spending categories. You'll get an unlimited 3% back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services — all for no annual fee.
• If you prefer Chase: The Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) offers quarterly rotating bonus categories like the Discover it Student Cash Back (activation required). The card doesn't charge an annual fee and earns 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% at drugstores, and 1% on everything else. To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

For additional options, check out our lists of the best cash-back cards.

Related: College students: How to use your credit card responsibly

Is the Discover it Student Cash Back worth it?

The Discover it Student Cash Back is a solid option for college students looking to earn cash-back rewards and build their credit history. However, if you aren't interested in activating and maximizing quarterly bonus categories, you may find better options in flat-rate cash-back cards.

Bottom line

College students can get in on earning rewards while establishing their credit with the Discover it Student Cash Back. This student card models Discover's standard Discover it Cash Back Credit Card, earning in the same bonus categories, so if you're a college student ready to dive into cash-back rewards and willing to enroll for bonus earnings each quarter, this is a solid option to get started with.

Related: The best credit cards for college students