Credit card review
Discover it Student Cash Back Review
DiscoverDiscoverStudentSecuredCash backNo annual fee
Discover it Student Cash Back earned 4.7 / 5 in our 2026 review. The Discover it Student Cash Back earns 5% on rotating categories with no annual fee, a Unlimited Cashback Match for first year welcome offer. Here is the full Fintiex review for 2026.
By the Fintiex Card Desk · Updated 2026-04-28
Discover
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
Discover it Student Cash Back
TL;DR
Annual fee
$0
Signup bonus
Yes
Top reward rate
5% on rotating categories
Intro APR
None
Issuer
Discover
Network
Discover
Min credit score
580
Fintiex rating
4.7 / 5
Pros
- +Cashback Match - Discover doubles all cash back earned in first year
- +5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) such as groceries, gas, restaurants, and Amazon
- +No annual fee
- +No foreign transaction fees
- +Free FICO credit score on monthly statements
- +No penalty APR for late payments
- +Good Grade Reward - $20 statement credit each year GPA is 3.0 or higher
Cons
- -5% rotating categories require quarterly activation
- -Rotating categories capped at $1,500 per quarter
- -Must be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college to qualify
- -Discover accepted less widely internationally than Visa or Mastercard
Rewards detail
rotating categories
5%
everything else
1%
Rates and fees
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
18.24% to 27.24%
Variable, based on prime rate and creditworthiness
Intro APR
Not offered
Balance transfer APR
18.24% to 27.24%
Cash advance APR
29.99%
Balance transfer fee
3%
Or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who it's for
The Discover it Student Cash Back is built for people who want a student, secured, cash back or no annual fee card. Most approvals land at FICO 580 and above, but issuers prefer scores near 620. If your credit profile is below the minimum, look at one of the secured or student picks on our hub before applying to avoid an unnecessary hard inquiry.
Not sure this is the right fit? See our best student cards roundup.
Compare with similar cards
Frequently asked questions
Does the Discover it Student Cash Back have a foreign transaction fee?
No. The Discover it Student Cash Back charges no foreign transaction fees, so it works well for travel abroad. You pay the same network exchange rate you would get at home.
What credit score do I need for the Discover it Student Cash Back?
Approvals typically start around a FICO score of 580, but Discover prefers 620 and above. Income, debt-to-income ratio, and existing relationships with the issuer also factor in.
How much is the Discover it Student Cash Back signup bonus?
The Discover it Student Cash Back offers Unlimited Cashback Match for first year. Activation rules vary by issuer, so read the terms before you apply.
Does the Discover it Student Cash Back have a 0% intro APR offer?
No. The Discover it Student Cash Back does not currently offer a 0% intro APR period. The standard variable purchase APR is 18.24% to 27.24%. If you need a 0% intro card for a big purchase or balance transfer, check our 0% APR picks instead.
How much is the annual fee on the Discover it Student Cash Back?
$0. The Discover it Student Cash Back has no annual fee, so the math is simple: every dollar of rewards is pure savings.
Is the Discover it Student Cash Back worth it?
Fintiex rates the Discover it Student Cash Back 4.7 out of 5 for 2026. It is best for student and secured and cash back and no annual fee. Compare against our top picks in each category before you apply to make sure it matches your spending pattern.
Ready to apply for the Discover it Student Cash Back?
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