Discover it Student Cash Back review: Building credit with rotating bonus categories
Editor's Note
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
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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.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.