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If you're a student without a credit card, it's a good time to think about getting one. Not only will it allow you to make cash-free purchases, but if you regularly pay your card off on time you can also begin to build a solid credit history. Even better, some cards offer cash back for purchases made with your credit card. If you have questions about credit cards and the various terms used, take a look at our credit card FAQ.
Student Credit Card Reviews & Prices
Updated 05-17-2012
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Features | Annual Fee | Our Rating & Bottom Line | |
| Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students |  | 13.99% - 21.99% (0% for 7 months) | Purchase APR | 5% cash back for every $1 you spend in preset categories, 2% cash back per $1 spent in popular rotating categories, 1% per $1 spent on all other purchases. | None | Our Rating: Strong student choice with 7-month 0% APR on purchases, earn up to $300 cash back each year on card purchases |
| JourneySM Student Rewards from Capital One® |  | 19.8% variable APR | 19.8% variable APR | 1% cash back on all purchases | None | Our Rating: Great choice for students, designed to help build good credit, cash back bonus for paying bill on time |
| Citi Forward® Card for College Students |  | 13.99% - 22.99% (0% for first 7 months) | Purchase APR | 5 points for every $1 you spend on books, movies, music and at restaurants, 1 point for every $1 you spend on other purchases | None | Our Rating: Card rewards timely payments with reductions in purchase APR; features 0% intro APR.; redeem points for rewards or cash |
| MTV® Visa® Card from Capital One® |  | 13.9% - 19.9% variable (0% until June 2013) | 13.9% - 19.9% variable | 5 points per dollar spent on entertainment, 2 points per dollar spent on restaurants, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases | None | Our Rating: Best for students who spend on entertainment and eating out; bonus points for paying bill on time; 12-month 0% intro APR |
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Features | Annual Fee | Our Rating & Bottom Line | |
| BillMyParents® Reloadable Prepaid Mastercard® |  | n/a | n/a | Prepaid Visa debit card for teens | Monthly Plan = $3.95 | Our Rating: Prepaid Mastercard debit card for teens; includes ability to monitor teen spending; no credit bureau reporting |
| Discover® Student Open Road Card |  | 12.99-18.99% (Variable) (0% for first 9 months) | Not permitted | 2% cash back on first $250 in gas or auto maintenance monthly; 1% on all purchases after $3k annually | None | Our Rating: Good cash back rates, but low caps on earnings from gas and restaurant purchases; 0% intro APR |
| Discover® Student Card |  | 12.99-18.99% (Variable) (0% for first 9 months) | Not permitted | Up to 5% cash back on qualifying purchases; 1% on all purchases after $3k annually | None | Our Rating: Good cash back card if you make frequent purchases in specific categories: 0% intro APR |
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