Best Part Time Student Credit Cards 2025
Karl says: “For part-time students, the Capital One Savor Rewards for Students card is ideal for earning strong cash back on everyday spending like dining and groceries, with 3% cash back in those categories and no annual fee. The Chase Freedom Rise® is another great option for those with limited credit, offering easy approval if you open a Chase checking account. You can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no categories or minimums to track.”
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Key offer
Capital One Savor Rewards for Students is perfect for part-time students who want to earn strong cashback on everyday spending like dining, streaming, and groceries — without worrying about annual fees.
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• Earn 3% cash back on dining, groceries, entertainment, and streaming — all high-usage categories for busy student life
• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, so you keep more of what you earn.
Welcome offer
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
Annual fee
$0
Rewards align perfectly with part-time student spending patterns while offering flexibility for varying income levels
Card Rewards
• 8% cashback on purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment ticketing platform.
• 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms Apply.
• 3% cashback on dining, qualified entertainment purchases, popular streaming services, and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores, like walmart and target).
• 1% cashback on all other purchases.
Premium Benefits
• Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees — use it while traveling or shopping abroad
• Automatically considered for a credit line increase after 6 months of on-time payments
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• Access to Capital One CreditWise® for free credit score tracking and alerts
• Redeem cash back for any amount, any time — no minimum
• Compatible with mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
• Manage everything through the Capital One mobile app
• Get pre-approved without hurting your credit score
Minimum Qualifications
Capital One Savor Rewards for Students
• You need to be a student — that’s the only hard requirement.
• It works for those with limited or no credit, and Capital One won’t make you guess — they offer a pre-approval tool with no credit impact.
• This is one of the few student cards that gives strong rewards, especially for food and entertainment.
Key offer
Chase Freedom Rise® is a strong pick for part-time students with limited credit — it’s built for easy approval if you open a Chase checking account and makes it simple to earn rewards while building toward better cards.
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• Increase your approval odds by opening a Chase checking account and depositing $250 before you apply
• Earn 1.5% cash back on everything, no categories or minimums to track
Welcome offer
• Earn a $25 statement credit for setting up and keeping automatic payments in the first 90 days
Annual fee
$0
Best For: Predictable work schedules with steady income
Card Rewards
All Cashback is earned in the form of points.
• 2% cash back on Lyft rides until Sep 30, 2027.
• 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Premium Benefits
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, every day
• Get a $25 statement credit for enrolling in automatic payments within your first 3 months and staying enrolled for 90 days
• Automatic review for upgrade to Chase Freedom Unlimited after 12 months of on-time payments
• Increased approval odds if you open a Chase checking account and deposit $250 before applying
• Chase Credit Journey provides free credit score monitoring and alerts
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• Use the Chase Mobile app to make payments, manage spending, and freeze your card
• Access to Chase Pay Over Time for breaking up large purchases into monthly payments
Insurance & Protections:
• Purchase protection covers new purchases against damage or theft for a limited time
• Extended warranty protection adds time to the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary coverage in the U.S., primary outside the U.S.)
Minimum Qualifications
• This one’s built for people new to credit, so you don’t need a credit score to apply.
• You’ll have a much better shot at approval if you open a Chase checking account and deposit $250 before applying.
• Chase is picky with new accounts — if you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months, you’ll likely be denied (that’s their 5/24 rule).
• Income and banking history can help offset a thin credit profile, especially if you’re starting from scratch.
Pro Tips
Maximize Cash Back
Choose a card that offers higher cash back rates in categories you spend on most, such as dining, groceries, and streaming services. This can help you earn more rewards while managing your budget.
Pay on Time
Always make your payments on time to avoid late fees and interest charges. This not only helps you maintain a good credit score but also ensures you maximize any rewards you earn.
Monitor Your Spending
Use budgeting tools or apps to track your spending and stay within your budget. This can help you manage your finances effectively while balancing school and part-time work.