13
Benefits2
Reward Categories5x
Max Reward18.2%
APR FromBasic Information
PENDINGRewards Program (Detailed) 2 Categories
PENDING| Category | Rate | Type | Description | Annual Cap | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quarterly Rotating Categories
Rotating |
5x | Cash Back | Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. | $6,000 | |
| All Other Purchases | 1x | Cash Back | Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. | No Cap |
Rewards Summary
PENDINGReward Type: Cash Back
Base Rate: 1x
Bonus Rate: 5x
Categories: Rotating quarterly categories (e.g., Gas Stations, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Digital Wallets, Amazon.com, Target, PayPal). Specific categories for 2026 Q1 will be announced by Discover.
Quarterly Rotating: Yes
Cap Amount: $1,500.00
Expiration Policy: Cash back rewards do not expire.
Point Value: 0.01¢
Travel Portal Multiplier: 1x
Transfer Partners: None
Redemption Penalties: None
Benefits & Protections (Detailed) 13 Total
PENDINGCustomer Service 1
U.S.-based customer service
Speak with a real person any time.
Fees 4
No Annual Fee
$0 annual feeYou never pay an annual fee for your Discover it® Student Cash Back card.
No late fee on your first late payment
Waiver of first late feeWe waive the late fee on your first late payment.
No penalty APR
We don't raise your APR for late payments.
No foreign transaction fees
$0 foreign transaction feesUse your card when you travel, and you won't be charged foreign transaction fees.
Financial Tools 1
Free online access to your FICO® Score
See your FICO® Score on your monthly statements and online. It's free, and it's updated monthly.
Rewards 3
5% Cash Back on Everyday Purchases
5% cash backEarn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases
1% cash backEarn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Unlimited Cashback Match
All cash back matchedDiscover 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.
Security 3
Fraud Protection
$0 Fraud LiabilityDiscover monitors every account, 24/7. If we spot something suspicious, we'll notify you by email, text, or phone. Your account is protected by $0 Fraud Liability, so you're never responsible for unauthorized purchases.
Freeze it® on/off switch
Quickly freeze your account to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
Free Social Security number alerts
Discover will alert you if your Social Security Number is found on thousands of risky websites.
Student Perks 1
Good Grades Reward
$20 statement credit per yearGet a $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next five years.
Benefits Summary (Flags)
PENDINGExtended Warranty
Purchase Protection
Cell Phone Protection
Travel Insurance
Primary Rental Protection
Airport Lounge Access
Trip Delay Coverage
Lost Luggage Coverage
Price Protection
Concierge Service
No Foreign Fees
ShopRunner
Sign-Up Bonus
PENDING$0
Cash BackRequirement: Spend $0 in 360 days
Timing: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
Fee Structure
PENDING| Annual Fee: | $0.00 |
| Year 1 Waived: | No |
| Effective Annual Fee: | $0.00 |
| Authorized User Fee: | $0.00 |
| Penalty APR: | 0.00% |
| Min Interest Charge: | $0.50 |
Additional Fees
PENDING| Late Fee: | $41.00 |
| Returned Payment: | $41.00 |
| Balance Transfer: | 3% of the amount of each transfer |
| Cash Advance: | Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater |
| Foreign Transaction: | 0.00% |
Interest Rates & APR
PENDINGStandard APR
Purchase APR: 18.24% - 27.24%
Balance Transfer APR: 18.24%
Cash Advance APR: 29.99%
Intro APR Offers
Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 6 months
Intro BT APR: 0% for 6 months
Promo Duration: 0 months
Approval Criteria & Requirements
PENDINGCredit Score Requirements
Application Process
Issuer Rules & Policies
PENDINGRules: Eligibility for the Discover it Student Cash Back card in 2026 requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, enrolled in an accredited college or university (proof of enrollment may be requested), a U.S. resident, and possess a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The card is designed for students with limited or no prior credit history. The primary bonus rule is Discover's 'Cashback Match,' where all cashback earned in the first year is automatically matched dollar-for-dollar at the end of the first 12 billing cycles. Application rules stipulate that an applicant cannot currently hold another Discover personal credit card, and typically cannot have opened a new Discover personal card within the last 12 months.
Max Cards Per Issuer: 1
Min Spend Interval: N/A for traditional sign-up bonus; Cashback Match is automatic for the first year of card membership.
Cliff Effect Rules: As per Discover's 'one personal card at a time' rule, holding this card prevents eligibility for other Discover personal credit cards. Additionally, applying for a new Discover card is generally restricted for 12 months after opening an existing Discover account. Upon graduation or cessation of student status, the card may be product changed to a standard Discover it Cash Back card, potentially altering some benefits or eligibility for future student-specific promotions.
Special Events: N/A
Holiday Promos: N/A
International Friendly: Yes
User Analytics & Insights
PENDINGUser Ratings
Average Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
Top Positive:
Excellent cash back rewards, especially with the first-year match. No annual fee and great for building credit. Highly rated customer service.
Top Negative:
Discover is not as widely accepted internationally as Visa/Mastercard. Rotating categories require activation and tracking. Initial credit limits can be low.
Approval Experience: 88.0 / 100
Recommended Alternatives
- Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Rise℠
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card Value Score: 90.0 / 100
Est. Annual Rewards: $240.00
Approval Probability: 80.0%
Version Control
PENDINGVersion ID: v1.0