Best Student Credit Cards with No Income – USA Guide to Build Credit Fast

College life in the U.S. can be expensive. From books and housing to groceries and emergencies—expenses stack up quickly. But if you're a student with no income, how do you qualify for a credit card?

The good news? You still can!

Many credit card issuers offer student-focused cards that are easier to qualify for—even if you’re just starting out or working part-time.

🧾 Can You Really Get a Credit Card with No Income?

Yes, but with conditions.

According to the Credit CARD Act of 2009, anyone under 21 must show the ability to repay their debt. That usually means:

•   Personal income (from part-time jobs or freelancing),
•   Scholarships or grants (in some cases),
•   Or a co-signer (like a parent or guardian).

If you're 21 or older, issuers may consider household income, including support from family members.

Tip: Even if you have no formal job, money you regularly receive can count as "income" for credit card applications.

🏆 Top Student Credit Cards for Applicants with No Income

Here are the best options available that allow students with little or no income to start building credit:

1. Discover it® Student Cash Back

Best For: Rotating cash-back rewards & no credit history

•   Rewards: 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to a quarterly limit), 1% on all others
•   Annual Fee: \$0
•   Intro Offer: Cashback Match (double your rewards at the end of the first year)
•   No Credit History Required: ✅
•   Student-Friendly: ✅

Discover is extremely student-friendly and doesn’t require proof of income if you’re over 21 and list household income.

2. Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Student

Best For: International students & no SSN

•   Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases
•   Annual Fee: \$0
•   Extras: One year of Amazon Prime Student (after meeting a spend threshold)
•   No SSN Required: ✅
•   No Credit History Required: ✅

Deserve EDU is ideal for international students. No need for a Social Security Number or credit history.

3. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best For: Flat-rate cash back

•    Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases
•   Annual Fee: \$0
•   No Credit Required: ✅
•   Flexible Use: ✅

Offers a great flat-rate cash back system with no hidden fees.

4. Capital One Savor One Student Cash Rewards

Best For: Dining & entertainment

•   Rewards: 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and grocery stores
•   Annual Fee: \$0
•   Student Status Required: ✅
•   No Credit Required: ✅

Ideal for students who frequently eat out or attend events.

5. Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students

Best For: Travel lovers

•   Rewards: 1.5 points per \$1 on all purchases
•   Annual Fee: \$0
•   Foreign Transaction Fee: None
•   No Credit Required: ✅

Great for students who study abroad or travel frequently.

6. Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa Credit Card

Best For: Students with no credit score

•   Rewards: Up to 10% cash back at select merchants
•   Annual Fee: \$0
•   Credit Score: No credit history required
•   Pre-Approval: Soft credit check available

Petal uses your banking history instead of credit score, making it ideal for first-time credit users.

7. Secured Credit Card Option: Discover it® Secured

Best For: Students with no credit or income

•   Deposit: \$200 minimum refundable deposit
•   Rewards: 2% at gas stations & restaurants (up to a limit), 1% elsewhere
•   Graduation Option: Converts to unsecured card with responsible use

A strong fallback if you're not eligible for unsecured student cards.

🧠 How to Choose the Right Student Credit Card

Not all student credit cards are created equal. Here's what to consider when choosing:

Factor	What to Look For
Annual Fee	$0 is ideal
Rewards	Cash back or points
Credit History	None required
Approval Ease	Based on student status or co-signer
Reports to Bureaus	Should report to all 3 credit bureaus
Perks	Extra student benefits (like Amazon Prime)

Tip: Always review interest rates and fees, even if you don’t plan to carry a balance.

📊 Student Credit Card Comparison Table

Credit Card	Rewards	Annual Fee	Credit Needed	Student Perks
Discover it Student	5% rotating categories	$0	No	Cashback Match
Deserve EDU	1% flat	$0	No	Amazon Prime
Capital One Quicksilver Student	1.5% flat	$0	No	Flexible use
SavorOne Student	3% on dining & more	$0	No	High rewards
BoA Travel Rewards	1.5x points	$0	No	Travel-friendly
Petal 1 Visa	Up to 10% at partners	$0	No	No credit check
Discover Secured	2% on gas/restaurants	$0	No	Graduation path

🔑 What Counts as "Income" for Students?

Even without a formal job, many types of income count when applying for a student credit card:

•   Part-time wages
•   Work-study programs
•   Scholarships or grants (if used for expenses)
•   Allowance from family
•   Freelancing or gig work
•   Social Security or other benefits

Note: Be honest about income. Issuers can verify it if needed.

🧰 Tips to Improve Approval Odds

Here’s how to increase your chances of getting approved:

1. List all qualifying income sources

2. Use a co-signer (if under 21 and required)

3. Apply for beginner or secured cards first

4. Limit applications to avoid hard inquiries

5. Maintain a checking or savings account in your name

📈 Why Building Credit as a Student Matters

Getting a credit card early builds your financial foundation. Here’s how it helps:

•   Establishes credit history
•   Improves your score over time
•   Helps qualify for future loans (car, home, etc.)
•   Makes renting and even job-hunting easier
•   Grants access to better credit cards later

A \$200 limit used wisely can lead to a \$2,000+ limit within a year.

🚫 Mistakes to Avoid with Student Credit Cards

Here are common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Mistake	Why It's Harmful
Only paying the minimum	Leads to high-interest debt
Applying for multiple cards	Hurts your credit score
Missing payments	Adds fees and lowers your score
Maxing out your card	Increases utilization rate
Ignoring statements	Misses fraudulent charges or errors

Pro Tip: Set up auto-pay and spend only what you can repay in full each month.

✅ Final Thoughts

Getting a credit card as a student with no income may seem challenging—but with the right strategy and card choice, it’s completely possible. Use the card wisely, pay on time, and stay within your budget to build a strong credit foundation.

Best of all? Many of these cards don’t require a job, credit history, or even a Social Security number.

Start small. Stay smart. Build credit.

💬 Your Turn – Let’s Talk Credit!

Have you applied for a student credit card yet?

👉 Which one are you considering, or already using?

Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below — your experience might help another student!

And if this guide helped you out, don’t forget to share it with a friend who’s just starting their credit journey.

✅ Bookmark this post for future reference — your credit journey starts now!