Discover · Discover
Discover it Student Cash Back
Students
No annual fee
Why people consider it
- 5x on Rotating.
- Cash back at a predictable value — nothing to transfer or learn.
Current welcome offer
Welcome offer: Cashback Match≈ $200 at this spending
Requirement: No spend requirement — every dollar of first-year cash back is matched
Current offer shown; issuer determines eligibility.
Details: Discover Cashback Match — a dollar-for-dollar match of all first-year cash back. Discover's student pages show no $100 statement credit as of 2026-10-06 (one aggregator still lists one; not on the issuer page, so not counted).
Recommended credit score: 580+
Advertising disclosure: we may earn a commission if you apply through this link. This does not affect your ranking. Full disclosure
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Is this card worth it?
Ongoing value
$576/year
for the sample household ($4,800/month) · points at typical value
First-year value
$1,152 first year
Includes: +$576 welcome offer
$576 is one-time. $576/year is ongoing.
To earn the bonus: no spend requirement — every dollar of first-year cash back is matched.
Offer verified: Nov 4, 2026
Worth considering if you already want this type of card.
- Full annual fee:
- none
- Major trade-offs:
- Discover less accepted internationally Must activate 5% categories quarterly
- Against a no-fee alternative:
- This is a no-fee card — nothing to earn back.
Detailed research
Full reward table and category caps
Quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500/qtr)
Cap: $6,000/yr
Optional benefits and credits
Perks (not counted in our math)
Approval and bonus eligibility caveats
Recommended credit score: 580+ — the issuer decides every application.
Issuer verification source
Rates and fees may vary.See current rates, fees, and terms on Discover's site
Detailed methodology
Net annual value = rewards on a spending profile at typical point value − the full annual fee; credits count only if you tell us you use them; a welcome offer counts once, in year one, only where the profile meets its requirement. Same math as Find a Card. Methodology v2026.09.4.
Editorial review and disclosures
Pros
- + Cashback Match doubles year-1 earnings
- + No annual fee, no minimum credit history
- + 5% rotating categories
Cons
- - Discover less accepted internationally
- - Must activate 5% categories quarterly
- - 1% on non-rotating spend
Written by Tim · Data verified against issuer terms · Last checked Nov 4, 2026 · Methodology v2026.09.4
Card information is collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. See our disclosure for details.