[ad_1] Researching credit cards between classes? While a grade on a paper maybe its only reward, having the right credit card can mean the difference between a free tank of gas or dinner out at the end of the semester–all while you’re building a credit history. By the time you graduate and get that first big gig, paying off your student credit card every month could help you buy a home or card more easily. That’s what having a history with a credit card and a good credit score can do. Now, let’s look at your options. Find your next credit card* See cards tailored for you from over 12 banks and card issuers No impact to your credit score Get an answer in under 60 seconds Find my perfect card You will be leaving MoneySense. Just close the tab to return. .credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow {padding: 4rem;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow span.content {font-weight: 800;margin-bottom: 2.75rem;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext p {margin-bottom: 0;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext {margin-bottom: 0 !important;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext div {margin: 0 0 2.5rem;line-height: 1.75rem;font-weight: 500;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext div .sub-text {margin-bottom: 10px;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext .btn-group {font-size: 1.125rem;font-weight: 500;text-transform: uppercase;margin-bottom: 1.25rem;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext span.fineprint {font-size: 0.875rem;font-weight: 500;line-height: 1.125rem;}@media ( max-width: 900px ) {.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow {padding: 3rem 1.25rem;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow span.content {font-size: 1.25rem;margin-bottom: 2rem;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext div {line-height: 1.25rem;font-size: 1rem;margin-bottom: 2rem;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext div ul {margin: 0 0 0 15px;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext .btn-group {font-size: 1rem;}.credit-card-cta-scenario-chooser .cta-v2.shortcode-cta-yellow .subtext span.fineprint {font-size: 0.625rem;line-height: 0.75rem;}} The best student credit cards in Canada 2022 Best for cash back — BMO CashBack Mastercard, CIBC Dividend Visa for Students Best for flights — BMO Air Miles Mastercard Best for grocery shopping — PC Financial Mastercard Best for money management — Koho Prepaid Mastercard Best for bad credit — Plastk Secured Visa Credit Card Best for entertainment perks — Scotiabank Scene Visa Card for students Our methodology — For greater insight into our rankings Best student credit card for cash back BMO CashBack Mastercard* At a glance: This credit card gives you lots of opportunity to earn cash back, especially for buying groceries, paying bills and other purchases. And unlike other cash back cards for students, the rates on these categories are impressive. Plus, you can redeem your cash back when you truly need it—yes, even before winter break holiday shopping. Annual fee: $0 Earn rate: 3% cash back on groceries (up to $500 per month), 1% on recurring bills (up to $500 per month) and 0.5% cash back on everything else. Interest rate: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances and 22.99% for balance transfers. Welcome bonus: You can earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months up to $2,500, including up to $500 spend on grocery, up to $500 spend in recurring bill payments, and up to $1,500 qualified spend on all other purchases. Pros: It offers a healthy 3% cash back rate on groceries up to a maximum of $500 a month. No other no-fee cash back credit card earns this rate. The minimum redemption requirement is only $1, so you can redeem your cash back when you truly need it (pretty sweet when you don’t want your next meal to be KD or ramen noodles). Items you purchase using the card receive double the manufacturer’s original warranty protection, up to one year. Get up to 25% off base rates at eligible National and Alamo car rental locations. Cons: There are no travel insurance or related perks with this card. But it’s not atypical of other no-fee cards. There are caps on the bonus spend categories: 3% on the first $500 you spend on groceries per month, with everything over that earning the base 0.5% earn rate. That said, it’s a monthly cap, so you start again the first of the month. No earn rate for transportation or gas, as it’s in the “everything else” pile at 0.05%. That means Ubers, too. Get more details about the BMO CashBack Mastercard* Go to Site Also consider: CIBC Dividend Visa for Students At a glance: Earn 2% on groceries, then 1% dining, gas, transportation and recurring bill payments, and then earn 0.5% cash back on everything else. But a cool bonus is access to SPC+, which is a student discount program, with deals from Apple Music to Zaful fashions. Annual fee: $0 Earn rate: Earn 2% on groceries; 1% on gas, transportation, dining and recurring payments; and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases. Interest rate: purchases at 20.99%, cash advances at 22.99%, balance transfers at 22.99% Welcome bonus: Earn $60 cash back when you make your first purchase within your first four months of having the card. Pros: Cardholders eligible for an SPC membership and get free access to SPC+, which offers bigger discounts and special experiences. The earning on spend category caps are high: $80,000 in net purchases or $20,000 on grocery, gas, transportation, dining and recurring payments. On top of earning points, you can also save $0.10 per litre at select Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations when you link your card with the Journee rewards program from CIBC. Cons: At a maximum of 1% cash back, the earn rates for all spend categories are modest compared to other cash back credit card programs. So is the 0.05% cash back rate for anything else. Best student credit card for Air Miles BMO Air Miles Mastercard* At a glance: Not living at home? Studying abroad? Why not use your credit card rewards on a trip back home by earning Air Miles when you use your card. Annual fee: $0 Earn rate: Earn 1 mile for every $25 spent and three times the rewards at participating Air Miles partner stores (including Metro, Sobeys, Foodland, Staples and more), double the points at Air Miles partners. Interest rate: purchases at 20.99%, cash advances at 22.99%, balance transfers at 22.99% Welcome bonus: Get a bonus 800 Air Miles when you spend at least $1,000 within the first three months. Pros: Earn three times the miles when spending at participating Air Miles partners. Plus,