Can You Get a Student Credit Card With No Income?

The National Center for Education Statistics found that 81% of part-time and 43% of full-time students in the U.S. were employed in 2018. Having some kind of income as a student will hold you in good standing when looking for a student credit card, given the requirements prescribed by the Credit CARD Act of 2009. However, you may be able to get access to a credit card in other ways, even if you don't have a job.

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MoneyGeek's Takeaways The income you need to get a credit card may come from several different sources. You may qualify for a student credit card with no income by getting an adult cosigner. You may become an authorized user on someone else's credit card to build credit.

Some of the links on this page will take you to one of our partner's sites, where you can compare and apply for a selected credit card.

How Much Income Do You Need For a Student Credit Card?

According to the Credit CARD Act of 2009, students under 21 years of age need to show that they have adequate income to repay their credit card debt. However, most student credit cards come with relaxed income requirements when compared to regular cards. Generally, there is no preset minimum income requirement that accompanies student credit cards. Credit card providers basically need to determine whether you are able to make your repayments in a timely manner. So they mainly consider the disposable income you have remaining after you pay for all your financial obligations, such as rent and utility bills. You might qualify for a student credit card even if you make a few thousand dollars per year. If your monthly income exceeds your monthly financial obligations by $500 or more, you stand a chance of qualifying for a student credit card. It's important to note, too, that you may include income from sources beyond that of a conventional job.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP Select a student credit card or a secured card based on which one you stand to qualify for more easily, and take advantage of our ranking methodology to zero in on the best alternative.

Do You Need a Job to Get a Student Credit Card?

If you're wondering how to get a credit card with no income, bear in mind that you don't necessarily need a job to apply for a student credit card. You may look forward to using one and building your credit in other ways as well. Getting a cosigner. If you are below 21 years of age and don't have a job, one way of getting a student credit card is to apply along with an adult cosigner. In this case, the credit card provider will take the cosigner's creditworthiness into account. Bear in mind that the cosigner's payment history on the card will have a bearing on your creditworthiness, and the reverse holds true as well.

If you are below 21 years of age and don't have a job, one way of is to apply along with an adult cosigner. In this case, the credit card provider will take the cosigner's creditworthiness into account. Bear in mind that the cosigner's payment history on the card will have a bearing on your creditworthiness, and the reverse holds true as well. Becoming an authorized user. This might be an easier path to take than getting a cosigned student credit card. In this case, you become the authorized user on someone else's credit card. The primary cardholder is liable to make all payments, whereas you get the means to build your credit. However, if the primary cardholder defaults on making timely payments, it might reflect poorly on your credit score.

This might be an easier path to take than getting a cosigned student credit card. In this case, you become the authorized user on someone else's credit card. The primary cardholder is liable to make all payments, whereas you get the means to build your credit. However, if the primary cardholder defaults on making timely payments, it might reflect poorly on your credit score. Getting a secured card. If the absence of income or a cosigner is getting in the way of your building your credit, you may consider getting a secured credit card. Qualifying for a secured card is typically easy because you need to pay a deposit. The amount you deposit is usually your credit line. Payments you make toward secured credit cards reflect on your credit history.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP While most cards for students and people with no credit history have high-interest rates, some offer great cash back offers. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students lets you earn 1%-3% cash back on purchases and has no annual fees. Likewise, Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students also has no annual fees and offers 1% cash back on all purchases. What's more, you don’t need a Social Security number to apply for this card, making it an excellent option for international students in the U.S.

What to Put for Income on Student Credit Card Applications

Credit card providers look at your income for two main reasons — to determine your ability to repay and to arrive at a suitable credit line. Fortunately, the income you include on your credit card application does not have to come only from a full-time job. You may include income you earn from a freelance job, from part-time work, through a paid internship or through dividends from investments. Most student credit card providers let you include money that you regularly receive from a parent or a guardian into an individual or joint bank account. In some cases, you may include money that you have left over from financial aid, grants, and scholarships after paying your tuition fees and other college-related expenses off completely. Credit card providers are also allowed to consider funds from student loans that are not meant for covering tuition fees and other college-related expenses.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP "If you have a decent income and established credit, you are not restricted to only student credit cards. You can apply for consumer credit cards as well. They typically give better rewards and larger credit lines." -- Brett Holzhauer

Other Questions You May Have About Student Credit Cards

Here are answers to the commonly asked questions surrounding the income requirements of student credit cards.

EXPAND ALL What is the minimum income to be approved for a student credit card? There is no fixed standard minimum income requirement to be approved for a student credit card. Qualifying essentially depends on the disposable income you have left after meeting your regular expenses. Can you include parents' income on a credit card application? No, you cannot. However, you may include money that you regularly receive from them into a bank account in your credit card application. Does financial aid count as income for credit cards? The money you have left over from your financial aid after paying tuition fees and other college-related expenses can count as income for credit cards. Do student loans count as income for credit cards? According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, credit card providers may view funds from a student loan as income, provided they only consider the amount that remains after the disbursement of fees and other related expenses. Do scholarships count as income for credit cards? After paying tuition fees and other college-related expenses, any funds left over from scholarships may count as income for credit cards.

Next Steps

If you're looking for a student credit card and have no income, your best alternatives include getting a cosigner, becoming an authorized user or applying for a secured card. If you have income and wish to get a credit card, make sure you compare student credit cards based on your specific requirements.

Compare & Review Credit Cards

By making use of data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experts at MoneyGeek have reviewed and analyzed over 80 student credit cards so that you can easily choose the one that suits you best. Some of the factors we consider when making our comparisons include fees, interest rates and offers.

Learn More About Student Credit Cards

The MoneyGeek editorial team remains up to date about the latest credit card-related news and trends. Our experts strive to continually increase their knowledge base so they may answer your questions quickly and accurately. No matter whether you wish to learn how to use credit cards effectively or are looking for the latest offers, you may trust them to guide you in the right direction.

About the Author Through over 15 years of writing about credit cards, Rajiv has learnt that this realm continues to evolve according to changing regulations and consumer requirements. He says he enjoys the time he spends researching and writing because it gives him means to help people. Other than credit cards, he also writes about insurance, mortgages and cryptocurrencies. Read Full Bio »

How to get a credit card as a college student

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

Getting a credit card as a college student can help you establish a credit history and learn how to use credit responsibly. Now might be a great time to investigate getting one to jumpstart your journey on the road to financial health.

Prior to the Credit CARD Act in 2009, card issuers descended on college campuses, handing out free food and swag in exchange for completed credit card applications — and you didn’t need significant income or even a job to qualify. This, not surprisingly, left a lot of college students with unmanageable credit card debt. So, the federal government created several consumer provisions that would protect students from getting a credit card before they were financially ready.

The result is that while there are plenty of student credit cards on the market, students may have a hard time getting one — at least not without knowing what to look for

“Credit scores are used to make decisions about almost everything, from cellphones to apartments and loans,” says Laks Vasudevan, senior vice president of consumer card product management at Huntington National Bank.

“So, it’s important for college students to start building a strong credit history early on,” she says.

While it’s possible to achieve this goal without credit cards, it’s not a bad idea to learn how to use them responsibly. Below are steps you can take to improve your chances of getting one.

1. Know if you qualify

Before you apply for a credit card, make sure you meet the issuer’s general requirements, which typically include:

You must be currently enrolled in college (one exception is the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One).

You must be at least 18 years old and show that you earn an income. If you have no income at all, your best bet may be to apply for a credit card from an issuer that allows co-signers or joint account holders or that considers alternative credit data when making an approval decision.

You should have a Social Security number.

You must pass a credit check.

2. Review your credit report

The information in your credit report is what the three credit bureaus use to calculate your score, so it’s important that it’s accurate.

Order your free report from the three major bureaus at

Review your report carefully and immediately report any inaccuracies.

If your credit score is low, take steps to improve it so you’ll be able to access the best cards and lowest interest rates.

3. Compare cards

It’s important to look at a number of student credit cards to make sure you choose the one that best fits your spending habits and lifestyle. Here are some things to evaluate when you’re comparing credit cards:

4. Apply for a card

Once you zero in on the card you want, you can apply for it. The easiest way is to fill out the application online. You might get approved immediately or you might have to wait for a decision to come in the mail. Before you apply, be sure you have everything you need:

Your Social Security number

Your monthly housing payment

Your contact information

All income (this includes deposits in a shared account)

Bottom line

The CARD Act is an important law that helps protect college students from getting in over their heads too easily.

But while student credit cards today are designed specifically with college students in mind, being in school isn’t enough to get approved.

As you figure out how to maximize the amount of income you can claim on your application, consider alternative credit products and seek out a co-signer. You’ll have a better chance of getting the right card for you to begin building your credit history.

Best Credit Cards for Students of December 2022

Our Picks: Best Credit Cards for Students

Discover it® Student Cash Back Why this is one of the best student credit cards: The Discover it Student Cash Back Card is good for students who want to earn cash back on everyday purchases. Students have a chance to earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. The card offers unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover will match all the cash back you've earned after your first year. There's no annual fee and no late fee the first time you pay late. See our full review. Discover it® Student chrome Why this is one of the best student credit cards: This card is designed for students who primarily spend on gas and dining. Cardmembers earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. All other purchases earn unlimited 1% cash back. Discover will match all the cash back you've earned after your first year. See our full review. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Why this is one of the best student credit cards: With the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and eligible grocery purchases. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. This card charges a $0 annual fee and foreign transaction fee. See our full review. Chase Freedom® Student credit card Why this is one of the best student credit cards: Cardholders earn 1% cash back on every purchase and won’t need to track complicated spending categories. The card offers $50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening See our full review. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Why this is one of the best student credit cards: The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limit, which makes earning rewards easy to do. With no foreign transaction fee, this card could be useful for students studying abroad. Cardholders enjoy a $0 annual fee, and rewards won’t expire as long as the account is open. See our full review. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One Why this is one of the best student credit cards: This card offers unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, which you could increase to 1.25% cash back when you pay your bill on time each month. This card is designed for students who are just beginning to build credit. There's a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee for this card. See our full review. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students Why this is one of the best student credit cards: Students can earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases with no caps. You can redeem points for statement credits toward flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages and other travel expenses, and blackout dates or restrictions do not apply. If you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening, you can earn 25,000 bonus points. The card charges a $0 annual fee and the foreign transaction fee is None. See our full review.

What Should You Know About Getting a First Credit Card?

First and foremost, make sure you're ready for the responsibility if you want to get a credit card and you're in college. Cards are a great way to build credit, but you will need to keep balances low and pay bills in full and on time every month.

Look at options that require little to no credit history, including student and secured credit cards. Evaluating APRs, security deposits, annual fees and rewards programs can help you whittle down your choices.

Seek credit cards that offer prequalification, and don't apply for too many at once. Your applications will trigger hard inquiries that can hurt your credit.

For approval, you may need to verify your income and provide proof of enrollment, plus the name of your college or university, state, and city.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Credit Card as a Student?

Building your credit. Getting a credit card in college can help you begin to learn good credit habits and graduate with some positive credit history. That head start could allow you to rent an apartment, make major life purchases and transition to financial independence more easily.

Getting a credit card in college can help you begin to learn good credit habits and graduate with some positive credit history. That head start could allow you to rent an apartment, make major life purchases and transition to financial independence more easily. Earning rewards. Issuers may offer miles, points or cash back rewards for every dollar you spend to enhance the value of your card and encourage you to use it. Check program rules, but rewards can usually be redeemed for travel and merchandise, as well as gift cards and statement credits.

Issuers may offer miles, points or cash back rewards for every dollar you spend to enhance the value of your card and encourage you to use it. Check program rules, but rewards can usually be redeemed for travel and merchandise, as well as gift cards and statement credits. Protecting against credit card fraud and theft. If your credit card or card number is lost or stolen before you can report the incident, your liability is limited to $50. Many credit card companies offer zero liability protection and will not hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

What Are the Downsides to Having a Credit Card as a Student?

Low credit limits. Student cards come with lower limits than regular cards because users have no history showing they can use credit responsibly.

Student cards come with lower limits than regular cards because users have no history showing they can use credit responsibly. High APRs. Rates are usually higher than other types of cards because students have little to no credit history.

Rates are usually higher than other types of cards because students have little to no credit history. Limited rewards. Some student credit cards earn cash back or other rewards, but at a lower rate than regular cards.

Some student credit cards earn cash back or other rewards, but at a lower rate than regular cards. Late or missed payments. If you blow your budget and stop making your credit card payments, you will hurt your credit score and owe late fees. Plus, the late payment lingers on your credit report for up to seven years.

How Can You Compare Student Credit Cards?

Consider these questions as you compare student credit cards to help you choose the right one.

Does the card provide your must-have features? Look for a student credit card that charges no annual fee and reports to the three major credit bureaus. Check for no foreign transaction fees if you plan to travel or study abroad, plus a low interest rate if you expect to carry a card balance.

Look for a student credit card that charges no annual fee and reports to the three major credit bureaus. Check for no foreign transaction fees if you plan to travel or study abroad, plus a low interest rate if you expect to carry a card balance. Do you have a chance to earn rewards or a sign-up bonus? Rewards can be an incentive to use your student credit card responsibly. Just make sure you can earn rewards for routine spending, such as gas, grocery and restaurant purchases. Otherwise, look for a card that offers a flat rate on all purchases.

Rewards can be an incentive to use your student credit card responsibly. Just make sure you can earn rewards for routine spending, such as gas, grocery and restaurant purchases. Otherwise, look for a card that offers a flat rate on all purchases. What happens to the card when you graduate? Some issuers will transfer your student account to a standard card, and others will require you to apply for another credit card.

Why Is Building Credit Important for College Students?

Good credit can help students land jobs. An employer may want to check your credit when you apply for a job but will need your written permission. Your credit report can give the employer an idea of how you handle responsibilities. What employers can access varies by state, but they won't be able to see your credit score. Some states have prohibited employers from using credit reports in the hiring process.

An employer may want to check your credit when you apply for a job but will need your written permission. Your credit report can give the employer an idea of how you handle responsibilities. What employers can access varies by state, but they won't be able to see your credit score. Some states have prohibited employers from using credit reports in the hiring process. Credit can affect auto insurance rates. Credit score is one of a number of factors auto insurers may consider when issuing and pricing policies. A good credit rating can drive down car insurance costs. However, use of credit information in determining auto premiums is banned in some states.

Credit score is one of a number of factors auto insurers may consider when issuing and pricing policies. A good credit rating can drive down car insurance costs. However, use of credit information in determining auto premiums is banned in some states. Good credit can make renting an apartment easier for students. Your credit score depicts your creditworthiness, and the higher the score, the better you look to a landlord. That is especially true in a competitive rental market. You may also get the benefit of moving in without paying a security deposit. A FICO score of 670, which falls in the good range, can be helpful to rent an apartment, but keep in mind that cutoffs vary. The landlord may take a closer look at your credit details if your score is in the mid-600s or lower, according to myFICO, the consumer division of credit analytics firm FICO.

Your credit score depicts your creditworthiness, and the higher the score, the better you look to a landlord. That is especially true in a competitive rental market. You may also get the benefit of moving in without paying a security deposit. A FICO score of 670, which falls in the good range, can be helpful to rent an apartment, but keep in mind that cutoffs vary. The landlord may take a closer look at your credit details if your score is in the mid-600s or lower, according to myFICO, the consumer division of credit analytics firm FICO. Good credit is necessary for financing a home or car. A good credit history can help you qualify for a mortgage or car loan with a favorable interest rate. The higher your credit score, the more affordable your monthly payment could be. Even a difference of 20 points between credit scores can add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of a loan.

Can Students Get a Credit Card With No Credit?

Students with no credit history who want credit cards are not out of luck. You could ask a parent, a family member or a trusted friend to add you to an account as an authorized user, or consider applying for:

Can You Prequalify for Student Credit Cards?

You may be able to prequalify for a student credit card but will need to check with the issuing bank. The issuer's website often allows you to find out whether you prequalify for a card with no harm to your credit score.

Prequalification saves you from applying for a bunch of credit cards that are out of your league. Each hard inquiry from a credit application could drop your score by less than five points, according to myFICO, although the effect diminishes after a year.

At the same time, prequalification is neither a real application for credit nor a guarantee of approval.

U.S. News Survey: Many College Students Already Carrying Credit Card Debt

According to a September 2022 survey, 46.1% of undergraduate student respondents have credit card debt. The survey also found that many students don’t understand basic credit concepts. For example, only 20.8% of respondents know what their credit score measures, and only 30.4% know what credit utilization ratio means. The high number of students in debt plus many students with a shaky understanding of how credit and credit cards work suggest today’s college students are at a risk of falling deeper into credit card debt. Learn more about college students and how they can responsibly manage their credit card usage from U.S. News credit card expert Beverly Harzog.

U.S. News Survey Methodology

U.S. News ran a nationwide survey of 1,203 respondents through PureSpectrum between Sept. 8 and Sept. 13, 2022. Only current undergraduate college students answered questions.

The survey sample drew from the general American population, and the survey was configured to be representative of this sample.

The survey asked 13 questions relating to student credit cards and credit card knowledge.

Best Student Credit Cards Methodology

U.S. News has been providing advice to students for more than 30 years. To determine the best cards for students, our Best Student Credit Cards rankings factor in overall satisfaction data, rewards earning rates, annual fees, APRs and the length of introductory APRs. The satisfaction data is based on an annual nationwide survey. On our list of the Best Credit Cards for Students, you will only find no-fee or low-fee cards that students are likely to qualify for. The cards we recommend are for all types of students, but remember each situation is different. Make sure you understand what to expect from the credit card you select.

Alternatives to Getting a Student Credit Card

If you can't qualify for a student credit card or you're uncertain that you are ready for one, you could try one of these alternatives:

Obtain authorized user status. Ask a creditworthy parent, spouse or friend to add you to a credit card as an authorized user, which means you can use the card but are not liable for payments. The primary cardholder is expected to pay the bill, regardless of who does the spending. As long as the card issuer reports account activity to the credit bureaus and the cardholder makes payments on time and keeps balances low, this arrangement can help your credit. Late payments or high balances can drag down both of your credit scores.

Apply for a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires a security deposit to establish the account. The security deposit reduces risk for the card issuer, which can use the deposit to pay your balance if you default on it. Your credit limit is typically the size of the deposit you make to open the account, and the deposit is often refundable. You can use a secured card to build or rebuild credit and then graduate to a better card.