8 Best Credit Cards for Students with Bad Credit: How to Get Approved

It can be tough to find a credit card if you have bad credit. But don’t worry, there are options available! In this blog post, we will discuss Credit Cards for Students with Bad Credit. We will provide information on how to get approved for a card and what to look for when choosing one.

So whether you are a student who has had trouble with credit in the past or you are just looking for a new card to build your credit history, read on for our tips!

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Introduction

Most students understand that credit cards can help build credit and establish a good financial history. However, what many students don’t realize is that credit cards can also be detrimental to their financial well-being.

Without proper education on how to use credit cards responsibly, students can easily find themselves in debt. Missing credit card payments is one of the surest ways to damage your credit score.

That’s why the CARD Act 2009 was passed. The CARD Act is designed to protect consumers, especially young adults, from the dangers of credit card debt.

The act limits how and when credit card companies can target college students with marketing materials. It also requires that credit card companies offer clear terms and conditions to consumers.

Despite these protections, many students still find themselves in credit card debt. The average credit card debt for college graduates is nearly $5000!

If you are a student with bad credit, don’t despair. There are still options available to you. In this blog post, we will discuss the best credit cards for students with bad credit. We will also provide tips on how to get approved for a credit card.

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What is Bad Credit?

Before we discuss the best credit cards for students with bad credit, let’s first define what bad credit is.

Bad credit is typically defined as a FICO score of 630 or below. Your FICO score is a number that lenders use to determine your riskiness as a borrower.

The higher your score, the lower the risk you pose to lenders. Conversely, the lower your score, the higher the risk you pose to lenders.

There are several factors that can affect your FICO score. These include things like late payments, high credit utilization, and maxed-out credit cards.

If you have bad credit, don’t worry. You are not alone. Nearly one in five American adults has a FICO score of 630 or below.

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What is no credit history?

No credit history is a term used to describe someone who has never taken out a loan or had a credit card. A person with no credit history is considered a high-risk borrower, as there is no track record of how they have handled debt in the past.

This makes it difficult for people with no credit history to get approved for loans or credit cards. It also makes it difficult for them to get the best interest rates on loans.

Most of the students will fall in this category as they have no credit card or loan history.

Now, let’s take a look at the best credit cards for students with bad credit.

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Best credit cards for students with bad credit

There are several credit cards available to students with bad credit. In this section, we will discuss some of the best options.

Subprime Credit Cards for Students with Bad Credit

A subprime credit card is a type of unsecured credit card designed for students with bad credit. Subprime cards typically have higher interest rates and fees than regular credit cards, and they may also have lower credit limits.

However, these cards can be a good option for students who need to rebuild their credit. By using a subprime card responsibly—which means making on-time payments and keeping your balance low—you can improve your credit score over time.

And as your credit score improves, you may be able to qualify for a regular credit card with better terms. So if you’re a student with bad credit, a subprime credit card could be a good option for you.

Here are some of the “best subprime credit cards for students with bad credit”:

#1. Surge Mastercard

A student credit card can be a great way to start building credit. However, for students with poor credit, it can be difficult to get approved for a traditional student credit card. That’s where subprime student credit cards come in.

Subprime student credit cards are designed for students with bad credit.

One of the most popular subprime student credit cards is the Surge Mastercard. The Surge Mastercard offers several features that make it a good choice for students with bad credit. For starters, the card has a credit limit of $300 to $1,000.

Additionally, the card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so it can help students build their credit scores.

And finally, the card offers a free online account that provides 24/7 access to account information.

The only downside to the Surge Mastercard is its high APR (24.99% – 29.99%).

However, for students who are looking to build their credit, the Surge Mastercard is worth considering.

Here are the features of the Surge Mastercard:

• Reports to all three major credit bureaus
• Free online account access
• Credit limit of $300 – $1000
• The only downside is its high APR (24.99% – 29.99%).

#2. PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

If you’re a student with bad credit, you may be wondering if there are any good options out there for you when it comes to credit cards. The answer is yes – there are a few subprime credit cards that can help you build your credit and get on the right track financially.

One of the best options is the PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card. This card has several features that make it ideal for students with bad credit, including the fact that it reports card activity to credit agencies and offers free FICO Score access.

However, it also has some drawbacks, such as sky-high fees and an extremely high APR. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is a costly credit limit increase fee if you decide to increase your credit limit down the road.

Overall, the PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card is a good option for students with bad credit who are looking to build their credit history.

Here are the features of the PREMIER Bankcard:

• Reports card activity to credit agencies
• Offers free FICO Score access
• Has sky-high fees and an extremely high APR
• There is a costly credit limit increase fee if you decide to increase your credit limit down the road.

#3. PREMIER Bankcard® Grey Credit Card

The best credit card for students with bad credit is the PREMIER Bankcard® Grey Credit Card. You can qualify for this card even if you have bad credit, and it doesn’t require a security deposit. This card reports to the major Consumer Reporting Agencies, so it can help you improve your credit score.

The only downside is that it has high membership fees and no rewards or intro APR on purchases. However, if you’re looking for a credit card to help you rebuild your credit, this is a good option.

Here are the features of the PREMIER Bankcard® Grey Credit Card:

• Reports to the major Consumer Reporting Agencies
• No security deposit required
• High membership fees
• No rewards or intro APR on purchases.

If you’re looking for a credit card to help you rebuild your credit, this is a good option.

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Best Student Rewards Credit Cards for Students with Bad Credit

A student rewards credit card is a great way for college students to start building their credit history. These cards often have low credit limits and high-interest rates, but they can be a good way to build credit if used responsibly. Many student rewards credit cards also offer sign-up bonuses, cashback, or other perks.

This can make them a great choice for students who are looking to get the most out of their spending. Some student rewards credit cards also offer special benefits, such as 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers.

This can help students save money on interest charges while they’re in school. When choosing a student rewards credit card, it’s important to compare offers and find the card that best fits your needs. Be sure to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions before you apply.

Here are a few student’s rewards credit cards to consider:

• Discover it Student Cash Back
• Journey Student Credit Card from Capital One
• Deserve Edu Mastercard

Let’s check out the features of each card in detail:

#4. Discover it Student Cash Back

For students who are just starting to build their credit, Discover it® student cashback is one of the best student rewards credit cards. You can earn 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories after enrollment and first-year cashback match.

There is no annual fee, and you can get 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months. Plus, your Credit Scorecard comes with your FICO® Credit Score.

The only downside is that the 5% bonus cash back rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending, bonus categories must be activated quarterly, and the base reward rate is low at 1%.

However, student cards with no annual fee and rewards are difficult to come by, making Discover it student cashback a great option for students working to build their credit history.

#5. Journey Student Credit Card from Capital One

For students with less-than-perfect credit, the Journey Student Credit Card from Capital One is a great option. This card has no annual fee and reports to the three major credit bureaus, so it can help you build your credit score. Plus, you’ll earn unlimited 1% cashback on all your purchases.

And if you make your payments on time, you’ll get a bonus boost of cashback, for a total of 1.25% cashback that month. The Journey Student Credit Card also has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s a great choice for students who travel abroad. Plus, you can earn 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal.

However, this card does have a high APR, so it’s important to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Here are the key features of the Journey Student Credit Card:

• No annual fee
• Reports to the three major credit bureaus
• Earns unlimited cashback
• Bonus boost of cashback for timely payments
• No foreign transaction fees
• High APR

#6. Deserve Edu Mastercard

When it comes to student credit cards, the offerings can be limited for students with poor credit. However, the Deserve Edu Mastercard is one option that provides several valuable features, including cell phone protection and 1% cashback on all purchases, with no annual fee.

While the cashback rewards may not be as high as some other cards, the lack of an annual fee more than makes up for it.

In addition, this card doesn’t require a social security number to apply, which is a plus for international students.

Overall, the Deserve Edu Mastercard is a great option for students who are looking for a student credit card with no annual fee.

Here are the key features of the Deserve Edu Mastercard:

• No annual fee
• Cell phone protection
• Earns unlimited cashback
• No social security number is required to apply
• Great for international students

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Best Secured Credit Cards for Students with Bad Credit

It can be difficult for students to obtain a credit card, let alone a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires a deposit, which acts as your credit limit. This can be a great option for students who have bad credit or no credit history. The best secured credit cards for students with bad credit will have low fees and offer rewards or cashback.

Here are a few of the best-secured credit cards for students with bad credit:

• Secured Sable ONE Credit Card

Let’s check out a few of the best-secured credit cards for students with bad credit in more detail:

#7. Secured Sable ONE Credit Card

A secured credit card is a great way for students with bad credit to begin building their credit history. The Sable ONE Credit Card is one of the best-secured credit cards on the market, with no annual fee, up to a $10,000 credit limit, and the ability to qualify with limited or no credit history.

One of the biggest advantages of the Sable card is the high rewards rate. Students can earn 1% cashback on all purchases, making it easy to rack up rewards. In addition, there is no foreign transaction fee, making it a great option for students who travel abroad.

However, one downside of the Sable card is that it requires a security deposit equal to your credit limit.

So if you’re looking for a secured credit card with no annual fee and the potential to earn rewards, the Sable ONE Credit Card is a great option.

Here are the key features of the Sable ONE Credit Card:

• No annual fee
• Reports to the three major credit bureaus
• Earns unlimited cashback
• No foreign transaction fees
• Security deposit equal to your credit limit

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Best Credit Union Credit Cards for Students with Bad Credit

It can be difficult for students with bad credit to find a credit card that meets their needs. However, there are a few credit unions that offer credit cards specifically designed for students with bad credit.

Here are a few of the best credit union credit cards for students with bad credit:

• Golden 1 Visa® Platinum Rewards for Students

Let’s check out a few of the best credit union credit cards for students with bad credit in more detail:

#8. Golden One Visa Platinum Rewards for Students

The Golden One Visa Platinum Rewards for Students is a great option for students who are looking to build their credit history.

With no annual fee and up to a $2,000 credit limit, this card allows you to earn cash back on your everyday purchases. You’ll earn 3% cash back on gas, grocery, and restaurant purchases, and 1% cashback on all other purchases.

Plus, there’s no co-signer required if you qualify to make minimum payments on your own.

When it comes to rates and fees, the Golden One Visa Platinum Rewards card has a purchase APR of 13.79% (variable) and a cash advance APR of 13.79% (variable). There’s also a foreign transaction fee of 1%.

So if you’re looking for a credit card with great rewards and no annual fee, the Golden One Visa Platinum Rewards card is a great option.

Here are the key features of the Golden One Visa Platinum Rewards card:

• No annual fee
• Reports to the three major credit bureaus
• Earns cash back on everyday purchases
• Purchase APR of 13.79% (variable)
• Cash advance APR of 13.79% (variable)
• A foreign transaction fee of 1%
• 3% cash rebate on gas, grocery, and restaurant purchases
• 1%-3% rewards rate

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Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a few great options for students with bad credit who are looking to build their credit history. Whether you’re looking for a secured credit card with no annual fee or a credit card with great rewards, there are a few options available. Be sure to compare the features and fees of each card before you decide which one is right for you.

What are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite credit card for students with bad credit? Let us know in the comments below.

Which credit card is best for students who have no credit?

Discover it® Student Cash Back is one of the best credit cards for students with no credit because it offers a high rewards rate, cashback on everyday purchases, and no annual fee.

Can I get a student credit card with bad credit?

It can be difficult to get a student credit card with bad credit, but there are a few options available. Credit unions are a great option for students with bad credit, as they offer credit cards specifically designed for students with bad credit. The Golden One Visa Platinum Rewards for Students is one option that offers great rewards and no annual fee. Another option is the Discover it® Student Cash Back which offers a high rewards rate and cashback on everyday purchases.

Both of these cards require no annual fee, so you can focus on building your credit history without having to worry about paying an additional fee. Be sure to compare the features and fees of each card before you decide which one is right for you.

What is the best credit card for students to build credit?

The best credit card for students to build credit is the Discover it® Student Cash Back. This card offers a high rewards rate, cashback on everyday purchases, and no annual fee. Additionally, the Discover it® Student Cash Back reports to the three major credit bureaus, so you can track your progress as you build your credit history.

Can you get a credit card with a credit score of 500 or lower?

Although it can be difficult to get a credit card with a credit score of 500 or lower, there are a few options available. You can check my article on the best credit cards for bad credit with a 500 credit score for more information.