Best Student Credit Cards in Canada for 2025
Credit cards low fees and eligibility requirements to help students build credit.
CIBC knows what students want. With decent earn rates, a free SPC+ membership, and plenty of other student-centred benefits, the best student credit card in Canada is the CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students.
Student credit cards are made with young adults in mind. They’re some of the easiest credit cards to qualify for – usually requiring proof of enrollment and that's about it – and the rewards are geared toward everyday spending for student life.
The information below outlines the benefits and drawbacks of the top student cards available, explains how they work, and offers tips for determining which card is best suited for you.
Key Takeaways
- The best student credit card in Canada is the CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students.
- Student credit cards designed with specific student needs in mind and therefore rarely charge an annual fee and have few to no eligibility requirements.
- Student cards are an excellent tool to help people (especially young people) build their credit rating.
- Once you graduate, you may want to upgrade your student card to something that will earn you more rewards on your spending.
Best student credit cards in Canada for 2025
While student credit cards are typically fairly basic, they do offer unique rewards and perks – so it helps to know what you want from a card before you apply. To give you some idea of the variety and the best card in each category, we’ve broken it down into ten categories.
| Category | Credit card | Current offer | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best student credit card | CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students | Up to 10,000 bonus points (terms) | * Earn 1 point per $1 spent on travel purchases * Free SPC membership * Save up to 7 cents per litre at Journie Rewards gas stations * No annual fee | * Limited insurance included * Low base earn rate of 1 point per $2 spent |
| Best student credit card for cash back | BMO CashBack Mastercard for students |  $20 GeniusCash + 5% cash back for the first 3 months (terms) | * Up to 3% cash back on purchases * Extended warranty and purchase protection * No annual fee | * Only earns 0.5% cash back on non-category purchases * Only includes 2 types of insurance |
| Best student credit card for flexible rewards | Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students | 5,000 bonus points (terms) | * Earn up to 2 points per $1 spent on purchases * 4 ways to redeem points for high value * No annual fee | * Does not include any insurance |
| Best student credit card for gamers | RBC ION Visa | $60 GeniusCash + 7,000 Avion points (terms) | * Earn up to 1.5 points per $1 spent * Includes 3 types of insurance * Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations * No annual fee | * Only high-value reward is transferring points to WestJet * Avion Premium points aren’t as valuable as Avion Elite points |
| Best flat-rate rewards credit card for students | American Express Green Card | 10,000 bonus points (terms) | * Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases * Points worth up to 2 cents each * No annual fee * No income requirements | * Lower acceptance rate as an Amex * Limited insurance coverage |
| Best student credit card for earning rewards at restaurants | RBC ION+ Visa | $60 GeniusCash + 14,000 Avion points (terms) | * 3% back on restaurants, groceries, transportation, and subscriptions * Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations * No income requirements | * $48 annual fee * Limited insurance with only 3 types of coverage * Earns modified Avion Rewards, which are worth less than Elite Avion points |
| Best student credit card for balance transfers | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $120 GeniusCash + 10% extra cash back for the first 2 months (terms) | * 1.95% balance transfer offer for the first 6 months * 2% cash back rewards on up to 3 boosted categories * No annual fee | * Limited insurance included * Low regular earn rate of 0.5% on non-boosted categories * Minimum personal income requirement of $12,000 |
| Best student credit card for bad credit or no credit | Secured Tims Mastercard | $20 Tims digital gift card (terms) | * Redeem rewards for free Tim Hortons * No annual fee | * Points are only worth 0.5 cents each * Limited insurance coverage * Low earn rate of 1 point for every $2 spent |
| Best prepaid student credit card | EQ Bank Card | None | * No annual or foreign exchange fees * No credit checks required | * Doesn’t build your credit score * No insurance included |
Since getting some savings is top of mind for many students, here's the average return on spending for these top cards:
1. Best student credit card in Canada
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1 point per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores, up to $6,000 spent annually
- 1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases
The CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students is our pick for the best student credit card in Canada. It includes a free SPC membership and won’t cost you anything to hold. Unlike other starter credit cards, this one gives you the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus of up to 10,000 points.
In addition to the steady points you earn for travel and everyday purchases, you have lots of redemption options. Sure, you get the most value for redeeming points with flights, but you can also cash them in for charitable donations, other travel, CIBC financial products, gift cards, merchandise, and cash back.
What Redditors say: "If you're looking for a no-fee credit card that doesn't require a minimum income, I'd recommend checking out CIBC's student options. The rewards aren't always worth it, in my opinion—they mostly just incentivize spending on things you probably don’t need. I personally prefer the CIBC Classic, Dividend, Aeroplan, or Aventura student credit cards because CIBC covers the $11.99 annual fee for a Student Price Card+ (SPC+) membership. I find SPC+ super useful, especially since I shop at H&M a lot. I spend around $1200 a year on clothes (mostly during summer and winter), and with SPC+ I get 20% off, saving me $240 a year." —Reddit user, November 2024
2. Best student credit card for cash back
Rewards:
- 3% cash back on groceries (up to $500 per month)
- 1% cash back on recurring bill payments (up to $500 per month)
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
The BMO CashBack Mastercard for students is one of the most popular cash back student cards – and for good reason. Like many student cards, there’s no annual fee, but unlike most cards, you’ll get a great earn rate of up to 3% on your purchases. There’s also a sweet welcome bonus of 5% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,500 in spend.
BMO gives you the option to choose when you want your cash back paid out. No waiting around for your card’s anniversary or until you’ve earned a specific amount in rewards.
3. Best student credit card for flexible rewards
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, Home Hardware, and Cineplex
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
If you’re looking for a card that offers maximum flexibility in how you use your points, the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students is a good choice. The card starts off with a bonus of up to 5,000 points after spending $750 in the first 3 months. When you’re ready to cash in your Scene+ points you’ve got lots of options: movie tickets and treats, dining, travel, groceries, Apple and Best Buy merchandise, gift cards, and statement credits. The choice is yours, and that’s just one of the things we love about this card!
4. Best student credit card for gamers
Rewards:
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on groceries, daily transit, rideshares, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming, and subscriptions1
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
If gaming is one of your biggest expenses, the RBC ION Visa offers the most rewards for your screen time. You’ll earn enhanced rates for streaming, digital gaming, and subscriptions (plus other important categories like groceries). Plus, you’ll get up to 7,000 points as a welcome bonus.
You can use your points toward merchandise, RBC financial products, travel, and more, although you can maximize their value by transferring them to WestJet or donating them to charity.
5. Best flat rate rewards credit card for students
Rewards:
- 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases
Sometimes, you just want a card that earns the same rate on everything you spend. The American Express Green Card does just that, offering 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases. With each point worth up to 2 cents, it’s a great earn rate for a student card.
To get you started, the card comes with a welcome bonus of 10,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. When you’re ready to treat yourself, you can redeem your points in a number of ways, including transferring them to Aeroplan, booking travel, getting a statement credit, and more.
6. Best student credit card for restaurant rewards
GC: $60
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on groceries, dining, food delivery, daily transit, rideshares, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming, and subscriptions
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
If you’re like most students, you’re probably eating out on the regular, so you should look for a card that gives you the best rewards in the restaurant category. Although the RBC ION+ Visa has a low annual fee, you can earn up to 14,000 welcome bonus points and triple rewards on restaurants, groceries, food delivery, and daily transit.
The card also comes with other useful perks like bonus points at Rexall and a discount on fuel from Petro-Canada.
7. Best student credit card for balance transfers
×1 Award winner GC: $120
1x Award winner Rewards:
- 2% cash back on purchases in up to 3 Money-Back Categories
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
If you already have debt on an existing card that you can’t seem to pay off, look into a balance transfer card. The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card offers 1.95% for the first 6 months (1% fee per transfer), which gives you time to wipe out the debt on your other card.
Once you’ve paid off the debt, you can enjoy an increased earn rate with the Tangerine card. Just choose two categories to earn 2% cash back in – three if you deposit your cash back into a Tangerine account.
What Redditors say: "Can’t go wrong with Tangerine’s 2% cash back credit card. You can choose 3 categories to earn the cash back on, such as restaurants and entertainment. You can also auto pay which is a huge benefit." —Reddit user, November 2024
8. Best student credit card for bad credit or no credit
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent at Tim Hortons
- 2 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, EV charging, transit, taxis, rideshares
- 1 point per $4 spent everywhere else
You may have heard that students should start with a secured credit card. These are great options for those who might not be approved for a standard credit card. We especially like the Secured Tims Mastercard. To use it, you’ll have to deposit a minimum of $50, which becomes your credit limit.
One of the biggest benefits of using a secured card is the fact that your regular payments are reported to the credit bureaus, which helps you build a great credit score over time. Once that happens, you can reapply for a standard credit card (and enjoy better perks and benefits).
9. Best prepaid student credit card
Rewards:
- 0.5% cash back on all purchases
Our final option forces you to stick to a budget since it’s a prepaid card: the EQ Bank Card. There are no annual fees, no welcome bonuses, and no foreign exchange fees, but you do earn 4% interest on the balance you deposit (and 0.5% cash back on your purchases). It’s a modest card, but it’s a step up from carrying cash.
Compare Canada’s best student credit cards by Genius Rating
We analyze over 126 features of each credit card and break them into seven main categories. Then, we run those through our algorithm, which calculates a score out of 5: our Genius Rating. With student cards, we focus on things that matter to students – fees, ease of approval, perks, and rewards – and calculate the potential rewards earnings based on $1,000 of monthly spending.
This is the list of the top student credit cards, ranked by Genius Rating:
GC: $60Awards are given out once a year but rating and rankings can shift throughout the year. The #1 card for 2025 is pinned to the top.
Learn more about our Genius Rating methodology
What is a student credit card?
A student credit card works the same way a normal credit card does. You earn rewards on purchases and pay off your balance monthly to build your credit score – they’re just more accessible to young adults who are still in school and typically don’t have much in the way of credit history or income.
Getting a student credit card in Canada is the ideal way to start building your credit score. Once you graduate, you can qualify for better credit cards with better rewards. You'll also get better rates on loans and mortgages (you don't want to live in that dorm forever, do you?).
How student credit cards work
Once you decide on the right card for you, you can typically apply on the bank website (or maybe through our creditcardGenius offers page!). Many of the cards will earn you basic rewards, though they won’t be at high earn rates like standard or premium cards.
- Rewards: Depending on your card, you could earn cash back, travel rewards, or even free movie tickets.
- Discounts: Some student credit cards offer special discounts. For instance, one of the Scotiabank student cards can give you up to 20% off on AVIS car rentals.
- Insurance: Although it's typically minimal, you can get some credit card insurance. Most student credit cards at least include extended warranty and purchase protection.
Remember: It’s important to pay your student credit card on time and refrain from carrying a balance. You want the card to help your credit score, not hurt it.
Pros and cons of student credit cards
If you're trying to decide whether or not to get a student credit card, keep in mind that while they do offer valuable features and help to build your credit, you can easily rack up credit card debt if you're not careful about paying in full and on time.
Here's an overview of the main pros and cons of student credit cards:
- Easy approval
- Builds credit
- Possible rewards/points/cash back
- Valuable and convenient perks
- Easy to track spending
- Financial flexibility
- Interest charges
- Limited selection of cards
- Low to no insurance coverage
- Risk of debt
Should you get a student credit card?
A student credit card can be very beneficial, depending on your situation. They are designed for people with no credit or minimal credit history, so you’re more likely to be approved for these cards. This makes them a great way to establish credit, providing you with some emergency funds and even some nice rewards.
When to get a student credit card
If you can use it responsibly, you should get a student credit card as soon as you're eligible. To qualify for a student credit card, you'll need to:
- Be a Canadian citizen, resident, or have a valid study permit
- Be over the age of majority
- Have proof of enrollment in your post-secondary institution
Student credit cards are much more lenient in terms of credit score, but if you've got a really low credit score, you may have trouble being approved. In that case, you can opt for a secured credit card to get started and move on to a normal student card later.
Why building credit as a student matters
There are several major reasons you should start building credit as a student. The most basic is that the longer your credit history is, the better it looks – starting early can potentially boost your credit score in the long run. This can save you money on future interest rates, as a higher credit score may net you lower interest rates on loans or lines of credit.
The most tangible reason to start building credit as soon as possible is to improve your odds of being approved when you apply for various financial ventures. A good credit score is paramount when applying to apartments, as the landlords will check your credit as part of the application. A solid financial foundation will also help you apply for student loans, buy your first car, or even let you be approved for more premium credit card options down the line.
Building credit as a student will teach you good spending and saving habits that will follow you into adulthood and beyond. Knowing how to manage a budget, make payments, and spend responsibly are invaluable skills that you don’t want to have to learn the hard way.
Alternatives to student credit cards
If you aren't interested in (or don't qualify for) a student credit card, you still have a couple of credit card options that aren't debit cards.
Prepaid credit cards
A prepaid credit card is similar to a gift card, requiring periodic top-ups. You will never be able to overextend your finances and find yourself in debt. You can also set monthly limits in terms of how much you want to put in, helping you meet your savings goals.
Important note: Since prepaid cards aren’t credit products, they won't help you improve your credit score or build credit history.
Secured credit cards
A secured credit card is used like a standard card, but requires a deposit before activation. The deposit becomes your credit limit, so you’ll never be able to spend more than you have (and the bank has a way to cover your balance if you can’t pay it). Consistently paying off your balance on a secured credit card is a low-risk way to improve your credit score.
How to make the most of your student credit card
If this is your first credit card, try a few of these tested strategies that will help you become a responsible student cardholder:
- Don’t spend over your limit: If it’s your first credit card, your credit limit is probably low, so pay close attention and don’t max out your card. You may be hit with penalties if you do, and your credit score will take a big hit.
- Pay your credit card bill on time and in full: Although it might be tempting to make just the minimum payment, aim to pay off your card in full to avoid accumulating a balance and incurring hefty interest charges.
- Check your statement regularly: Mistakes happen, but they’re easier to catch if you’re reading through your credit card statement at least once a month. If you notice an error, contact the merchant and dispute the charge.
- Use the benefits that come with your card: Read through the terms so you know what’s included. For instance, if you damage your cell phone, check to see if you have mobile device coverage and use it!
FAQ
Can you keep a student credit card after you graduate?
You can keep your student card for as long as you like. Keeping it open can help your credit history. However, at some point after graduation, consider getting another card that offers better rewards or special perks.
Can you use a student credit card to pay tuition?
This depends on your school’s policy and whether your credit limit is high enough. If you do, be sure that you can pay the balance quickly, since the interest on a purchase like this will add up quickly.
Can I earn travel rewards with a student credit card?
Yes, you can earn travel rewards with some student credit cards. The Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students, for example, offers fairly high earn rates and Scene+ points that can easily be converted towards travel redemptions.
Why was I rejected for a student credit card?
This could happen if you’re under the age of majority, you’re not a student, you lack sufficient documentation, or your credit score is too low. If this happens, consider alternatives such as prepaid or secured credit cards.
Can you get a student credit card with no credit?
As long as you have provable income, having no credit history shouldn’t stop you from getting a student credit card. If you’re concerned about being denied, consider applying for a secured credit card, which typically has more lenient requirements.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 227 Canadian credit cards.
