Get a $0 Cash Bonus
You could get a 0% promotional annual interest rate ("AIR")† for 12 months on balance transfers✪ completed within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee.
Compare the best student credit cards in Canada. Just like that.
Find the right credit card.
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Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2023.
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Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Get up to 10% cash back in your first 3 months and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year*
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn up to 15% cashback on first-time purchases at Neo partners
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Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn an extra 10% back* (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within your first 2 months.* (Apply by July 5, 2023)
Plus, During your first 30 days, transfer balances and pay only 1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first 6 months (19.95% after that)†.
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Apply today and receive a $25 Welcome Bonus in Cash Back Rewards.
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases)1. Plus, no annual fee in the first year, including on supplementary cards1. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
5,000 bonus points†† after you make $500 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening. Plus, 5,000 bonus points†† once enrolled for paperless e-statements within the first 90 days of account opening
And 4 points†† for every $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and household utility purchases during the first 90 days (until $10,000 is spent annually in the applicable category)
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For residents of Quebec, please click here.
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Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Get up to 60,000 points worth $400 in travel rewards, a $50 lifestyle credit and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year*
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn an extra 10% back* (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 in everyday purchases within your first 2 months.* (Apply by October 31, 2023).
Plus, during your first 30 days, transfer balances and pay only 1.95% interest on the transferred balance for the first 6 months (19.95% after that)†.
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn up to $1,100+ in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends January 3, 2024.
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Get 20,000 points when you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months - that's a $133 value!* Plus, earn up to 5,000 bonus points every year.
- 2,500 bonus points for redeeming at least 12,000 points annually towards your statement balance with Pay with points - that's just 1,000 points per month!
- 2,500 bonus points for paying your full credit card balance on time for 12 consecutive months
Get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.*
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn 10% cash back for the first 3 months (up to $1,000 spend).
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months1. Offer ends July 1, 2024.
Get a $0 Cash Bonus
Earn 5% cash back for your first 3 months (up to $2,500 in spending). Plus, get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.*
Focus On
Student credit cards: Features and benefits.
Attending college or university? A student credit card might be perfect for you. The features and benefits are tailored to students actively enrolled at an academic institution. Most student credit cards have no credit history requirement, no minimum income requirement, and no annual fee. And getting a student credit card can be your first step toward building your own credit history. At LowestRates.ca, we can help you get started.
Use the table below to help you pick a student credit card. Here's a quick look at the features and benefits on some of the most popular student credit cards:
Card |  |
|---|---|
Rewards | 1 MBNA Rewards point for every $1 spent on eligible transactions. Redeem points for cash back, donations, travel, brand-name merchandise, and retailer gift cards. |
Interest rate | 19.99% |
Annual Fee | $0 |
Sign-up bonus/benefits | Not available. |
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Who should apply for a student credit card?
Anyone enrolling or enrolled at an academic institution.
And getting approved for a student credit card isn't too difficult — you don't need a credit history, you don't need an income, and you typically don't even need a parent or guardian to co-sign.
But you do need a credit card to pay your day-to-day bills, especially if you live away from home. Let's face it — paying off expenses like tuition, transportation, and residence is easier with a credit card. In other words, credit cards are becoming a necessity and finding the best student credit card is more important than ever.
What are the benefits of a student credit card?
- You can pay for your expenses quickly and easily. Sometimes the only way to buy a textbook or a bus ticket home is with a credit card — especially if you're shopping online.
- You can use it to start building up your credit history. Use your student credit card to establish good credit early. A good credit history will help you when you apply for a loan, a mortgage, or another credit card with more features and benefits.
- You can use it to monitor your spending habits. With a student credit card, it's easy to log in online and track what purchases you made and when.
How do I decide which student credit card to get?
The best bet for budget-conscious students is a card with no annual fee. But there are a couple other things you should consider when you compare student credit cards:
- Whether you want rewards or cash back on your purchases: With points rewards and cash back, you get something back for spending money. Many student cards also offer reasonable rewards rates, like 1% cash back on purchases or 1 rewards point for every dollar spent on the card.
- How useful the rewards will be: Some rewards points can only be redeemed at fancy hotels or on elite travel, options that probably aren't appropriate for most students.
Are there any drawbacks to having a student credit card?
Most student credit cards come with credit limits that are significantly lower (usually no more than $1,500) than the credit lines on regular cards. Student credit cards also tend to have higher interest rates and a slightly lower rewards return ratio than regular credit cards do.
What should I watch out for when it comes to my student credit card?
Many student credit cards charge interest rates of around 20%, so try to carry a low balance and pay off your student credit card in full every month. That's the best way to dodge interest charges and build up your credit history.
You should also try to avoid withdrawing cash with your credit card. Most student credit cards have a cash advance fee, and cash withdrawals tend to have a higher interest rate than purchases do.
LowestRates.ca may receive compensation when you click on links to those products or services; however, our content and calculations are objective and free from bias. The opinions expressed are purely those of LowestRates.ca; thus, partners are not responsible for any editorials or reviews that may appear. For current term and conditions on any advertiser or partner’s product, please visit their website.
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