Discover it Student Cash Back

Discover it Student Cash Back Bonus Categories

No annual fee. 5 bonus categories benefits, with what each is worth and the limits that apply.

Annual fee
No fee
Estimated value
$41/yr
Benefits
5

Cashback Match in Year One

Bonus earning

Double your cash back in first year—Discover automatically matches all cash back you earn at anniversary

Pro Tips

  1. 1This effectively doubles your cash back in year one—maximize spending on 5% categories
  2. 2If you earn $150 in cash back during year one, Discover will add another $150 for $300 total
  3. 3Perfect for students building credit while maximizing rewards
  4. 4Combine with Good Grade reward for even more benefits

Value Analysis

Estimated Value
$25

1% on all purchases

1x points

1% cash back on all other purchases

5% Cash Back

Bonus earning
Enrollment required

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the

Good Grade Reward

20x points

Earn $20 statement credit each school year for maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA (available up to 5 years)

Pro Tips

  1. 1This is a direct reward for academic achievement—it incentivizes good grades
  2. 2Keep your GPA at 3.0+—just 0.1 point below disqualifies you for the year
  3. 3Submit proof early in the new school year to receive credit promptly
  4. 4Over 5 years, this adds up to $100 in free statement credits

Value Analysis

Face Value
$20
Estimated Value
$16

5% on rotating quarterly

5x points

5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 spend per quarter when activated)

Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published November 13, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.