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The best credit builder card
for students

The best credit builder card
for students

Build credit early, earn cashback, and grow your savings - all in one place.
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Jumpstart your credit journey

Quickly. Safely. Stress-free.
Build your credit score every time you spend
No more overspending
No late payment fees or interest fees
Accept international students without SSN1

Why IS building credit in college important?

  • Easier access to credit
  • Lower interest rates on loans
  • More apartment lease options
  • Better access to financial products
  • Helps employment background checks
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Watch how we can help you build credit fast

No overspending. No stress. Just credit building, but faster.
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Build your credit in college be smart. start early.

Build your credit in college be smart. start early.

earn while you learn

get 5% cashback on 12
most-loved educational platforms

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Earn up to 15% merchant cashback2

Whether it's groceries, dining, or online shopping, enjoy cashback that puts money back right in your pocket!
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Get up to 10% 
Random Cashback3

Spin the wheel in the app to earn up to 10% random cashback after every purchase.
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Earn up to 4.00% APY1 on your money

The national average interest rate on savings accounts is 0.42% APY12. 

We are not greedy. We want to offer our members a much better rate so they can grow their money faster.

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APY
0.75%
2.00%
premium
4.00%4
Chase
0.01%6
Bank of America
0.01%7
Wells Fargo
0.01%8
Info
What is an APY?
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Why Firstcard Is a Great Choice for Students

Before expanding to immigrant, international, and underserved credit markets in 2024, Firstcard was originally designed to help college students build credit early and safely. See why Firstcard is still one of the best choices for students below:
No Overspending

A common fear amongst students when getting a credit card is overspending. What makes Firstcard a great credit card for students, is that what you deposit is what you can spend. This means you will never spend more than you have available!

Earn Cashback

Firstcard is a good credit card for  students as it is designed to reward students with cashback when they spend at popular retailers on campus and nearby. Firstcard offers up to 15% cashback at over 29,000 partner merchants like Papa John’s, Starbucks, ASICS, and more.

0% APR

Did you know most student credit cards have a variable APR ranging from 17.49% - 26.49%? Firstcard is a better credit card for students as there is 0% APR. This means you will never have to worry about accumulating large amounts of debt that can negatively impact your credit score and be hard to pay off.

You’re Pre-Approved

Many student cards require a cosigner or proof of income in order to get approved. Firstcard is a better credit card for students because you’re already pre-approved regardless of income. You won’t need to go in person to apply or need a cosigner for approval. Simply apply online with your SSN or Passport.

Build Credit Early

Did you know that your credit score can impact everything from student loans to financing a car and even buying a home down the line? That’s why it’s crucial to start building credit early. Firstcard is a good credit card for students as it offers in app credit monitoring and credit reporting to all three major credit bureaus helping to build your credit steadily and safely.

Questions From College Students

Why should I get a credit card as a college student?
Getting a credit card for college students is a smart move because it helps build your credit history early, which is essential for future financial opportunities. A credit card for college students also teaches you how to manage credit responsibly and can provide access to emergency funds. Additionally, many credit cards for college students offer cashbacks and benefits tailored to young adults. Firstcard is a great first credit card option for college students as it helps students build credit safely and offers rewards like up to 15% cashback at thousands of partner merchants near campus.
What are the benefits of Firstcard for college students?
Firstcard offers numerous benefits for college students:
  • Credit Building: Establish your credit history earlier than others
  • Budgeting: With Firstcard what you deposit it what you can spend. This helps ensure that you don’t spend beyond your means
  • Rewards: Earn up to 15% merchant cashback on purchases at thousands of partner merchants and earn up to 10% random cashback on all qualifying purchases.
  • High APY: Get 0.75% APY on the money in your account when you open a credit card with Firstcard, get 2.00% APY when you subscribe to Firstcard+, and get 4.00% APY when you subscribe to Firstcard Premium. (Non-US residents are not eligible for APY4)
  • Apply without an SSN or credit history: Firstcard accepts international students without an SSN. International students can apply for Firstcard with their passports
What are some things to consider before getting a student credit card?
When choosing a student credit card, it's essential to consider several factors to ensure it meets your needs. With Firstcard, you can rest assured that we've got you covered:
  • Interest Rates: with Firstcard there is 0% APR
  • Fees: Starting at only $4.99/month you can grow your savings and build your credit with Firstcard.
  • Credit Limit: With Firstcard what you deposit is what you can spend meaning you have full control over your “credit limit”. This ensures that factors like your credit utilization ratio won’t negatively impact your score.
  • Rewards Program: Firstcard’s cashback offerings are tailored to student spending habits, allowing you to earn points on everyday purchases like groceries, dining, and school supplies. Earn up to 15% cashback at partner merchants when you shop online or instore and earn up to 10% random cashback on all qualifying purchases. Firstcard Premium members earn an additional 1% cashback on all purchases.
  • Credit Building Tools: Firstcard reports on time payments  to all three credit bureaus ( Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) which helps build your credit score. Firstcard+ and Premium members have access to their credit report at all times allowing you to monitor your credit score as frequently as you’d like!
How can I use a credit card responsibly as a college student?
To use a credit card for college students responsibly, follow these tips:
  1. First, open a credit builder card or secured credit card like Firstcard to help you build credit early
  2. Second, allocate a budget each month and deposit that amount into your credit card account to ensure you never spend more than planned. You can automate this deposit by setting up direct deposit with employers or relatives.
  3. Third, make sure to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges and build a positive credit history. With Firstcard, you can enable the Autopay feature in the app to make sure that you always make payments on time.
  4. Fourth, make purchases using your credit builder card so you build credit every time you send
  5. Finally, monitor your account regularly for any unauthorized transactions. Watch your credit score go up with on-time monthly payments. With Firstcard, you can monitor your credit score right in the app!
How is Firstcard different from other credit cards for college students?
Firstcard stands out from other credit cards for college students by offering unique benefits tailored to their needs. First, Firstcard accepts immigrants, international students, and foreigners without an SSN, making credit building accessible for all. It helps people build credit faster without requiring a credit check or hard inquiry. With Firstcard, you can earn up to 15% cashback at selected merchants while building your credit. Additionally, it offers multilingual customer support in English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring a smooth experience for diverse users. With a 0% APR and up to 4.00% APY with Firstcard Premium, Firstcard is a cost-effective way to build credit efficiently and safely.

our users love us

Easy to use credit builder card

The no-overspending risk and no annual fees were what drew me to Firstcard. The bonus cashback feature is a fun addition, and it's helped me save money effortlessly on everyday purchases.

Katherine K.
Perfect for international students & immigrants!

This app is great to build credit and not worrying about overspending. I recommend this to college students who are in need of building strong credit.

Boris M.
A must have!

Firstcard offers a top-notch banking experience that’s convenient, secure, and reliable. From the moment I signed up I was impressed by its user-friendly interface and seamless integration. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a modern payment solution!!

Bella H.
The best way to build credit without an SSN

As an immigrant, I struggled to find a credit card. Firstcard was the perfect solution with their no-SSN requirement. Now, I can build credit and earn rewards with every purchase.

Hana P.
Reliable and user-friendly!

Moving to a new country comes with its challenges, but Firstcard made building my financial life here so much easier. The no-SSN requirement was crucial for me. The app is user-friendly and helps me keep track of my spending and savings. Firstcard has truly been such a reliable financial partner for me as an immigrant.

Amara A.
Firstcard makes my financial life abroad much easier

Managing my finances in a new country was a major concern, but Firstcard made it so much easier. The support team is always responsive and helpful, and I can ask questions and receive help in Spanish which is amazing!

Paolo G
Easy to use credit builder card

The no-overspending risk and no annual fees were what drew me to Firstcard. The bonus cashback feature is a fun addition, and it's helped me save money effortlessly on everyday purchases.

Katherine K.
Perfect for international students & immigrants!

This app is great to build credit and not worrying about overspending. I recommend this to college students who are in need of building strong credit.

Boris M.
A must have!

Firstcard offers a top-notch banking experience that’s convenient, secure, and reliable. From the moment I signed up I was impressed by its user-friendly interface and seamless integration. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a modern payment solution!!

Bella H.
The best way to build credit without an SSN

As an immigrant, I struggled to find a credit card. Firstcard was the perfect solution with their no-SSN requirement. Now, I can build credit and earn rewards with every purchase.

Hana P.
Reliable and user-friendly!

Moving to a new country comes with its challenges, but Firstcard made building my financial life here so much easier. The no-SSN requirement was crucial for me. The app is user-friendly and helps me keep track of my spending and savings. Firstcard has truly been such a reliable financial partner for me as an immigrant.

Amara A.
Firstcard makes my financial life abroad much easier

Managing my finances in a new country was a major concern, but Firstcard made it so much easier. The support team is always responsive and helpful, and I can ask questions and receive help in Spanish which is amazing!

Paolo G

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FTC

Firstcard is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Regent Bank, Member FDIC. Firstcard credit cards are issued by Regent Bank, pursuant to a license from Mastercard. Valid for 18+ and subject to account approval. FDIC deposit insurance up to $250,000 per qualified customer account on a "pass-through" basis; FDIC insurance only covers failure of insured depository institutions. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through FDIC deposit insurance to apply.

Forbes Featured Partner:  https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/international-students/

Time Featured Partner:  https://time.com/personal-finance/article/best-credit-cards-for-students/

CNN Featured Partner:  https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/best-credit-cards-college-students

2 

Valid for 18+ and subject to account approval. Pre-approved means that you have met the initial criteria for this credit card; however, your application may be rejected if any of the following apply: you provided incorrect information or we are unable to verify your identity under federal law; you are under 18 years old.

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Merchant Cashback: The amount of cashback is determined by the transaction and participating merchants. See firstcard.app/cashback-policy.

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Random Cashback: Users will receive up to 10% of random cashback on qualifying purchases. A qualifying purchase is a purchase that has been processed and accepted by the merchant and has settled in the entrant's Firstcard account. This purchase may, but not necessarily, include tips, holds, and deposits related to the qualifying purchase. Additionally, the following transaction categories are NOT qualifying purchases and will not be eligible to earn entries into random cashback: ATM withdrawals, wire transfers or cash transfers, purchasing gift cards or other cash equivalents, gambling or online casino, peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers, such as Venmo, Cash App, transfers between Firstcard users, or similar services, gambling, bill payment, prepaid phone recharge and any other transaction types that we may deem ineligible at our sole discretion. See firstcard.app/random-cashback-policy.

2 

The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Deposit Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of November 7, 2024. . For cardholders without an SSN, credit monitoring and APY features are unavailable. For ITIN cardholders, APY feature is available; however, credit monitoring remains unavailable. No minimum balance is required. Firstcard Standard members are eligible for 0.75% APY. Firstcard+ members are eligible for 2.00% APY. Firstcard Premium members are eligible for 4.00% APY. Annual fees and other fees may impact your yield.

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2 

Firstcard Premium customers will earn an additional 1% unlimited cashback on all eligible credit card purchases. Exclusions apply. Cashback rewards are not earned on ATM withdrawals, P2P transfers, purchases of gift cards or other cash equivalents, and certain other types of transactions as determined by Firstcard. Cashback is awarded within 7 days of the eligible transaction posting to your account. No minimum balance required to earn cashback.

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Data pulled from Chase Bank as of January 10, 2025: https://www.chase.com/content/dam/chase-ux/ratesheets/pdfs/rdfl1.pdf

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Data pulled from Bank of America as of January 10, 2025: https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/bank-account-interest-rates/

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Data pulled from Wells Fargo as of January 10, 2025: https://www.wellsfargo.com/checking/prime/

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Data pulled from Discover It Secured Credit Card as of January 10, 2025: https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/secured/

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Data pulled Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card from as of January 10, 2025: https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/unlimited

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Data pulled from Bank of America Secured Credit Card as of January 10, 2025: https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/secured-credit-card/

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According to the FDIC, the national average interest rate on savings accounts is 0.42% APY (as of December 16, 2024). https://www.fdic.gov/resources/bankers/national-rates/.