Little to no income, plenty of expenses, and weak or no credit history can make gaining access to basic financial products—like credit cards—difficult for students. Credit cards for students with no income can be a great stepping stone for students and young adults who don’t yet have an income – especially to build credit.
We’ve rounded up the best credit cards for students with no income, including their requirements, best features, and rates.
Credit Cards for Students with No Income
1. Discover It® Student Cash Back Credit Card
Why we chose it: Best for cash back rewards
The Discover It® Student Cash Back credit card offers great rewards and benefits to students with no credit history, such as a cashback program, and no annual fees. Along with rewards, students can log in to the Discover mobile app to view their free FICO scores, track their cashback rewards, and get free Social Security Number security alerts.
You can earn a statement credit if you refer a friend and they get approved for a card. You’ll also get a welcome bonus that you don’t typically get with other student credit cards.
The card comes with a 0% APR for six months on purchases, after which a minimum APR of 17.99% will apply. There’s also a balance transfer intro APR of 10.99% for six months. When you graduate, you can update your income information and you may then become eligible for a higher credit limit.
Benefits and rewards:
- Cash Back: 5% cash back on everyday purchases from Amazon as well as selected grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Plus, 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome Offer: You’ll get an unlimited cashback match, where Discover will automatically match all the cashback rewards you’ve earned at the end of the first year.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cash back rewards program
- No credit score needed to apply
Cons
- Lower rewards than other similar cards
- Not as widely accepted as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Enrolled in college
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have a Social Security Number
- Need to have verifiable income (part-time or full-time)
2. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why we chose it: Great for above-average rewards
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card has no annual fees, a very decent cashback rewards program, and no credit history requirement. This makes the card ideal for students who want to earn rewards while building a credit history.
The card comes with a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases, and a 10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for six months. After this, an APR of 17.99% to 26.99% will apply.
The card offers a 24-hour travel assistance benefit, and there are no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for students traveling outside of the U.S.
Benefits and rewards:
Cash back:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Earn 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases.
Early spend bonus:
- Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
Referral bonus:
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring family and friends.
Pros
- No credit history required
- 1% – 2% cash back on purchases
- 0% purchase intro APR for six months
- No annual fees or foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance transfer fee
- No initial rewards bonus
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a Social Security Number
- Have a steady income
3. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Why we chose it: Best for travel rewards
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for students. It doesn’t require a good credit score to qualify and online pre-approval only takes a few minutes.
The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months and for six months on balance transfers. Thereafter, an APR of 17.99% to 27.99% and a balance transfer fee of 3% on each transaction will apply.
This card offers good rewards, especially for travel. It comes with 25,000 online bonus points if you make purchases of at least $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account. You can use this as a $250 statement credit towards credit purchases.
In addition to this, you also get unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Rewards that you earn don’t expire.
Benefits and rewards:
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases
- Rewards don’t expire
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5 reward points on all purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- 25,000 bonus points
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months
Cons
- 3% balance transfer fee
- No travel insurance
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be enrolled as a student
4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Why we chose it: Great for everyday purchases
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card is a good option for borrowers without a good credit score. It offers great cashback rewards and your initial card limit is between $200 and $5,000, depending mainly on your security deposit.
You get 2% cash back at grocery stores and 3% cash back in your choice of these categories: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, and home improvement. After your first $2,500 spending in any category, you will earn 1% back on purchases.
Other perks include checking your FICO credit score for free and the ability to move to an unsecured card with a refund of your security deposit. You can improve your chances by keeping your balances low and making your payments on time.
Benefits and rewards:
- Up to 3% cash back on gas, online shopping, dining, travel, or home improvement.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in purchases, then earn 1%.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Up to 3% cash back rewards
- Flexible credit limit
Cons
- Security deposit of $200 (minimum)
- No welcome bonus
Eligibility Requirements:
- Requires a security deposit
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a U.S. citizen
5. Deserve® EDU Mastercard
Why we chose it: Best for low credit score
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard is a good option for 18-year-olds as you don’t need a security deposit or a cosigner to apply. It is also a great credit card for international students as you don’t need a Social Security number to qualify. It has some great card perks, in addition to its low credit requirements.
Some benefits include a year of Amazon Prime Student membership when you spend $500 in the first three billing cycles. There is also a 1% cash back on all purchases. The Deserve® EDU Mastercard has a $0 annual fee and comes with a 22.99% variable APR.
Benefits and rewards:
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- One year Amazon Prime Student membership when you spend $500 in the first three billing cycles
Pros
- No annual fee
- No social security number is required to apply
- No cosigner or security deposit required
- Cell phone protection up to $600
Cons
- High APR rates
- Late payment fees of up to $25
Eligibility requirements:
- No minimum credit score
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be enrolled in a U.S.-based college or university
6. Discover It® Secured Credit Card
Why we chose it: Great for building credit with no fees
The Discover It® Secured credit card is a great card for students as it requires no credit history to qualify. It also reports payments to all three major credit bureaus and allows you to earn rewards while building your credit.
The card requires a minimum security deposit of $200 which will equal your starting credit limit. After seven months, your account will be reviewed to see if you qualify for moving to an unsecured credit card and a deposit return.
Other benefits of this card include no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a 27.99% variable APR. There’s a 10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for the first six months and a welcome bonus of an unlimited cashback match on all purchases during your first year.
You also earn 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations for purchases up to $1,000 per quarter. Thereafter, you earn 1% cashback.
Benefits and rewards:
Earn 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations up to purchases of $1,000 per quarter. All other purchases earn 1%.
An intro bonus of an unlimited cashback match on all cash back you earn during the first year.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No credit history needed to apply
- Possibility of upgrading to an unsecured card after seven months
- Unlimited cashback on all purchases during the first year
Cons
- Requires a security deposit
- High ongoing APR
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must have a bank account
- Must pay a security deposit
How to Get a Credit Card With No Income
Getting a student credit card when you have no income can be particularly challenging, but there are ways to navigate this obstacle. A student credit card is often the first step in establishing a credit history, which will be critical for future financial transactions.
Here’s how you can get a student credit card even if you don’t have a steady income.
Use Parental Income
Some credit card companies allow you to consider parental income when applying for a student credit card. As a student, you can list your parents’ income on your application to boost your chances of approval. This approach may be good for students who are confident in their ability to manage credit responsibly, as it increases the likelihood of approval.
Show Proof of Financial Aid
If you’re receiving financial aid, scholarships, or grants for college, some lenders will accept this as proof of income. Although this isn’t a stable income source like a job, it shows that you have some financial resources.
Open a Bank Account
Having a bank account in good standing can demonstrate to credit card issuers that you’re financially responsible, even if you don’t have a regular income. While not a guarantee for approval, it can improve your chances.
Find a Co-Signer
A co-signer can help you secure a credit card by taking on the liability for your debt if you default. Opt for a co-signer who has a stable income and a good credit history. We recommend this option with caution; while it can help you get a credit card, it places financial responsibility on another person.
Apply for a Secured Card
While a secured credit card isn’t exclusively for students, it’s an option if you have no income. These cards require a refundable deposit and are easier to qualify for. We strongly suggest considering this as a fallback option because it will allow you to build credit even without a regular income.
FAQs
What is your credit score if you have no credit?
If you have no credit history yet, you don’t have a score. Your credit report gets created when there is an activity – like a first credit check on your name. A zero credit score doesn’t exist, even for those with damaged credit.
What credit card can I get with no credit?
Many issuers offer credit cards for those with no credit. Student cards like the ones we’ve listed above, for example, may not require credit for approval. Another option for those without credit is a secured credit card, but becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account can also help you build credit.
Can you get a credit card at 18 with no credit?
Yes. There are credit cards for 18-year-olds with no credit, but it might be difficult to get approved if you are younger than 21. The Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires individuals under the age of 21 to either have a cosigner or provide proof of income or regular allowances to get approved for a first credit card.