Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Annual Fee
No Annual Fee
Points Currency
Cash Back
Base Value
1.00¢/pt
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match: Discover matches all the cash back you earn in your first year
Best For
Dining & Restaurants

This Quarter (Q4 2026)

5x Dining & Restaurants
Up to $1,500 this quarter · Dine-in, takeout, and delivery · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories
5x Entertainment
Up to $1,500 this quarter · New category: movie tickets, concerts, sports, zoos/aquariums, bowling, etc. · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories
5x Internet & Cable
Up to $1,500 this quarter · Utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone) · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories
5x Phone & Wireless
Up to $1,500 this quarter · Utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone) · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories
5x Utilities
Up to $1,500 this quarter · Utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone) · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories

Best Categories for This Card

5.00%
effective

Dining & Restaurants

5x Cash Back$1,500 cap
Rotating (Quarterly)

This quarter (Q4 2026) · Dine-in, takeout, and delivery · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories

5.00%
effective

Internet & Cable

5x Cash Back$1,500 cap
Rotating (Quarterly)

This quarter (Q4 2026) · Utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone) · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories

5.00%
effective

Utilities

5x Cash Back$1,500 cap
Rotating (Quarterly)

This quarter (Q4 2026) · Utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone) · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories

5.00%
effective

Phone & Wireless

5x Cash Back$1,500 cap
Rotating (Quarterly)

This quarter (Q4 2026) · Utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone) · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories

5.00%
effective

Entertainment

5x Cash Back$1,500 cap
Rotating (Quarterly)

This quarter (Q4 2026) · New category: movie tickets, concerts, sports, zoos/aquariums, bowling, etc. · Activation required · $1,500 cap shared across all Q4 categories

1.00%
effective

All Other Purchases

1x Cash Back

Complete Rewards Breakdown

CategoryMultiplierTypeCapEffective Return
Dining & Restaurants5xRotating (Quarterly)$1,500 cap5.00%
Internet & Cable5xRotating (Quarterly)$1,500 cap5.00%
Utilities5xRotating (Quarterly)$1,500 cap5.00%
Phone & Wireless5xRotating (Quarterly)$1,500 cap5.00%
Entertainment5xRotating (Quarterly)$1,500 cap5.00%
Everywhere else
1xOngoing—1.00%

Card details

Network
Discover
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit usually needed
Building / no credit history
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases
Good to know
For college students — no credit score required to apply.
Last verified
Oct 12, 2026
What does a “cap” mean?

Some bonuses only apply up to a spending limit — say 6% on the first $6,000 a year at U.S. supermarkets. Past the cap, the card earns its base rate (often 1%). Log your spend in your wallet and our answers switch to your next best card once a cap is used up.

Pairs well with

Cards that add the most on top of this one for typical U.S. spending, after their annual fees. Use your own spending →

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
+$621/yr
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
+$614/yr
American Express® Gold Card
+$491/yr

How it stacks up

vs Discover it® Cash Backvs Discover it® Secured Cash Backvs Chase Freedom Flex®vs Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Want more details?

Fees, benefits, and current offers change frequently. Visit Discover’s official page for the most up-to-date terms straight from the issuer.

View on Discover’s site

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