Compare College Student Credit Cards

You can get a credit card as a college student with no income if someone adds you as an authorized user on their account. You might also qualify for your own student credit card, even without a job, if you receive a scholarship or an allowance that’s deposited into your bank account.

Ways to Get a Student Card with No Income

Open a joint account.

None of the top 10 credit card issuers allow you to apply with a cosigner, but a few may let you add a joint accountholder, either when you apply or after opening the account. Both cardholders are equally responsible for making payments on a joint account, regardless of whose income is used on the application.

Become an authorized user.

One of the easiest ways to get the benefits of a credit card without applying for one yourself is by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account. The primary cardholder can add you and give you your own card, but they are ultimately responsible for making the payments. You won’t have an account in your name, but you will have a card to use for purchases, and you’ll build credit so long as everyone with access to the card uses it responsibly.

Apply for a student card using other income sources.

Depending on the credit card company, you may be able to list parental support, scholarships, financial aid, or government assistance as income on your application. Under federal law, anyone under the age of 21 can only apply using individual income, but student cards are often flexible on what qualifies. An allowance may count, for example, though student loans do not qualify as income since they’re another form of debt. If you’re over 21 years old, you can qualify for a credit card using shared household income from a parent or partner.

Even though some form of income is required to open a student credit card, many student cards have lower qualifications than most general-consumer cards and are relatively easy to get.

Easy Credit Cards for Students to Get

No, American Express does not have a student credit card. American Express does not offer any other credit cards for people with limited credit history, either, which means students and other applicants with no credit will need to build up their credit score before applying for a American Express card.

If you’re hoping to get a student card, check out WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best student credit cards from other issuers. Student credit cards usually offer...

The main difference between a student credit card and a regular credit card is that student credit cards offer better rewards, rates, and fees than other credit cards for people with limited or no credit. Student credit cards are also meant for college and graduate students, while other cards don’t have the same requirement. Otherwise, student credit cards work the same way as most other credit cards.

Student credit cards usually offer better terms than other...

No, Chase does not have a student credit card. Chase does not offer any other credit cards for people with limited credit history, either, which means students and other applicants with no credit will need to build some credit history before applying for a Chase card.

If you’re hoping to get a student card, check out WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best student credit cards from other issuers. Student credit cards usually offer better rates and rewards...

The best international credit card for students is the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see details, rates & fees). It belongs to the Mastercard network so you can use it pretty much anywhere internationally, whether you’re traveling or studying abroad, and it features a $0 foreign transaction fee.

The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see details, rates & fees) offers $50 for spending $100 in the first 3 months. Plus, you earn 1 - 8% cash back on purchases made with this card. You can quickly rack up savings with those rewards, and you don’t even need much credit experience to qualify for an...

The best credit cards for unemployed people are secured cards like the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card since they’ll give you the highest approval odds. However, you may have to opt for an easy-to-get unsecured card like the OneMain Financial BrightWay® Card if you need help making ends meet.

It’s important to remember that you don’t need a job to get a credit card, but credit card companies are required to make sure you have enough income to pay your monthly...

Student credit cards work like most other credit cards, except they’re designed for college students with limited credit who are at least 18 years old. Student credit cards are the best starter credit cards for eligible applicants, giving students the opportunity to build credit while enjoying surprisingly good terms.

Student cards typically have $0 annual fees and good rewards because banks and credit unions want to get in early with potentially profitable, long-term customers. Plus, student credit...

To qualify for a student credit card, an applicant must be a student, at least 18 years old, and capable of affording monthly credit card payments. Proof of enrollment at a college or university may be needed, too, though specific documentation requirements vary by card issuer.

What's Needed to Qualify for a Student Credit Card?

Minimum age requirement of 18 years.

You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S....

To choose a student credit card, compare offers online and identify the $0 annual fee student credit card with the best rewards for your spending habits. Student credit cards usually offer ongoing rewards, initial bonuses, and 0% APR promotions that aren’t always available to non-students with a limited credit history.

If you don’t have bad credit (a credit score of 639 or less), you are at least 18 years old, and you have an independent source of income...

A student credit card is designed specifically for college students with little to no credit history or better. Student credit cards are easier to get than the average credit card, and they usually have $0 annual fees, rewards, and minimum credit limits of $300 or so. Some student credit cards offer low introductory APRs, but the regular APR on student credit cards tends to be above average.

Students generally have less credit history and less income...