The Discover it® Student Chrome is a great starter credit card to help you build credit while you learn how to responsibly use a credit card.
$0
0% intro APR for six months on purchases
17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match®
Fair/New to Credit
- Earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Discover matches cash back after your first account year
- Low cap for earning 2% cash back (up to $1,000 per quarter in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants)
- Other cards offer better cash-back rates
The Discover it® Student Chrome is a great starter credit card to help you build credit while learning how to responsibly use a credit card. It's worth noting that this student credit card is nearly identical to the regular Discover it® Chrome in almost every way, with the addition of a few student-specific perks.
Discover it® Student Chrome- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- Earn 2% cash back 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.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.24% - 26.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Trust takes time to build, and credit, at its core, is a form of trust. Banks need to see a record of on-time payments before they'll approve you for the best credit cards, which is why many students have a more limited selection of cards to choose from. That makes the Discover it® Student Chrome, one of several top Discover credit cards, an interesting option.
It's worth noting that this student credit card is nearly identical to the regular Discover it® Chrome in almost every way, with the addition of a few student-specific perks that we'll get to in a minute.
Overview
With the Discover it® Student Chrome, you'll earn 2% cash back on your first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%) at gas stations and restaurants. None of Discover's cards charge an annual fee, which is appealing to students who may have less disposable income. You'll earn 1% back on all other purchases.
This almost goes without saying, but the Discover it® Student Chrome is best for ... students. If you're not currently in school but interested in a card like this, you're better off applying for the regular Discover it® Chrome.
Even if you are a student this may not be the best card for you. There are plenty of good no-annual-fee cards that are easy to get approved for with limited credit, even if they don't have the word "student" in the name. Make sure you sit down and look at your spending patterns to determine whether this is the most rewarding card for you.
If you're interested in a simple, no-hassle cash-back credit card, the Discover it® Student Chrome is a good option. But if you're looking to start accumulating travel rewards, there are better options to consider.
Rewards
Welcome Bonus
Discover doesn't offer a big flashy welcome bonus on its credit cards. Instead, you're eligible for Discover Cashback Match®, meaning Discover will match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.
This means your earning rate on gas and dining goes up to 4% for the first year (on your first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter). The Discover it® Student Chrome normally earns 1% back on all other purchases, but that effectively gets doubled to 2% for the first year.
Whether or not this is a good offer depends almost entirely on how much you expect to spend in your first year, but one nice thing about Cashback Match® is that it's not all or nothing. Traditional credit card bonuses require you to spend a certain amount of money over your first few months with the card. If you hit the mark, you get the bonus. If not, you don't.
Cashback Match® means you won't have to keep an eye on the calendar or carefully add up your transactions to see if you're on track — so one less thing to worry about.
How to Earn Rewards
The card's earning structure is straightforward, though you'll have to keep an eye on the quarterly spending cap. Cardholders earn:
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
If you spend a lot on gas and dining, you could do quite well with this card. But if you don't spend in these categories, a different card will serve you better.
How to Use Rewards
The Discover it® Student Chrome is all about simplicity, and that applies to redeeming your rewards as well. Discover makes it easy to cash out for a statement credit or to pay when checking out with Amazon or PayPal.
Unlike some other cards, there's no minimum amount required to start redeeming your rewards. Rewards don't expire, but if you close your account or don't use the card for 18 months Discover will automatically cash them out for you.
Benefits and Features
Outside of the Cashback Match® offer and 2% bonus categories, there are a few perks that help the Discover it® Student Chrome stand out from the regular Discover it® Chrome.
0% Introductory APR on Purchases
The Discover it® Student Chrome comes with an introductory 0% intro APR for six months on purchases (then a 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR). Zero-interest credit card offers like this are helpful if you have a lot of expenses to pay for upfront (like textbooks or supplies) that you need a little more time to pay off.
Just be sure you have the ability to pay off your balance before the promotional APR period expires, otherwise, you could be on the hook for hefty interest charges.
Late Payment Forgiveness
Discover also understands that many of the people who apply for this card may have never had a credit card before. While credit cards aren't all that complicated to use, it does take some adjustment if you're switching over from using a debit card for everything.
That's why Discover will waive the late fee on your first late payment (you will be charged a late payment fee after the first late payment), giving you a chance to learn the important lesson of paying your bills on time without any penalty.
Free FICO Score
Discover it® Student Chrome cardholders can access their FICO score for free at any time through their online account. This makes it easy to keep an eye on your credit score and how it's changed over time.
Unique Card Designs
When you apply for the Discover it® Student Chrome, you can choose from a number of colorful card designs that you don't usually find on credit cards from other issuers.
Fees
The Discover it® Student Chrome doesn't charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases (then a 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR), so try to avoid carrying a balance after the no-interest period expires,
There are other scenarios where you might pay a fee, including late payments, returned payments, balance transfers, and cash advances
FAQs
Is the Discover it® Student Chrome only for students?
The Discover it® Student Chrome is available to students who are enrolled in college or university and at least 18 years of age. You may be asked for proof of enrollment.
What credit score is needed for the Discover it® Student Chrome?
You don't even need an established credit history to be considered for the Discover it® Student Chrome, as long as you meet other underwriting criteria. Discover will look at all the information you submit on your application to evaluate your creditworthiness, including your credit score if you have one.
What's are the different Discover student credit cards?
Both the Discover it® Student Chrome and Discover it® Student Cash Back are meant for current college or university students. The main difference between them is in how they earn cash back.
The Discover it® Student Chrome earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%), and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. Meanwhile, the Discover it® Student Cash Back earns 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined spending when you activate (then 1%) (from April 1 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%), and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Does the Discover it® Student Chrome help me build credit?
Yes, when you use it responsibly. Opening a student credit card like the Discover it® Student Chrome can help you build a positive credit history and credit score. Discover will report your account activity to the three major credit bureaus. If you pay your bill on time, pay at least the minimum payment each month (ideally, more than that), and avoid carrying a balance, you could see an increase in your credit score and be able to qualify for more credit in the future.
Why You Should Trust Us
Insider's experts evaluated the Discover it® Student Chrome in comparison to other student credit cards that earn rewards, including from other banks. Some of the factors we considered include:
- Ease of use — Are the card's earning rates straightforward, and is it easy to redeem rewards? Are there any restrictions or hoops to jump through?
- Earning potential — Are the card's earning rates and bonus comparable to similar cards? If there are bonus categories, are they useful for students, and are any capped at a maximum amount of spending?
- Benefits — Many student credit cards are light on benefits. Does the card have perks that make it stand out?
- Fees — Most student credit cards don't charge an annual fee, but are there other fees to be aware of? Does the card waive the late payment fee on your first late payment?
To learn more about our methodology, read about how we rate credit cards.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
**Enrollment required.
***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
