If you are a student over eighteen, you may have heard of the word “adulting”; an informal term that is used to describe individuals doing adult-like tasks like paying bills and running errands. Some people succeed at this while others seem to struggle with it. One way you can triumph over this is by managing your finances. A great way to start is by building your credit. As you grow older, you’ll need to build a healthy credit score and check it regularly, to achieve certain goals like buying a house or a car. So, here is the best credit card for students in Canada that will help you build credit and be rewarded:
The Best Credit Card For Students In Canada
- Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card – For The Independent Student
- Neo Mastercard – For The Students Who Loves Exclusive Discounts & Offers
- KOHO Essential Mastercard – For The Student On A Budget
- Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card – For The Movie Enthusiast
- CIBC Aventura® Visa* – For The Student With Wanderlust
- President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® – For The Student Who Likes To Cook
- CIBC Dividend® Visa* – For The Student Who Moved Out
| Best Credit Card For Students In Canada | Annual Fee | Minimum Income Requirement |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | $12,000 |
| Neo Mastercard | $0 | No income requirement |
| KOHO Essential Mastercard | $48 | No income requirement |
| Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card | $0 | $12,000 |
| CIBC Aventura® Visa* | $0 | No income requirement |
| President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® | $0 | No income requirement |
| CIBC Dividend® Visa* | $0 | No income requirement |
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card – For The Independent Student
If you’re a student who has an income and does most of your own shopping, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is one of the best credit card for students in Canada. You can choose to receive 2% cash back on purchases from two categories of your choice. Unlock a third category if you open a Tangerine savings account. Moreover, with the .05% cashback on all other everyday purchases, you’ll be raking in points like frequently. Better yet, there is no limit on the amount of Money-Back Rewards you can earn on your everyday purchases.
Special Offer
If you’re approved, you’ll earn an extra 10% back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases made within your first 2 months.*
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card Features
Annual fee: $0
Purchase rate: 19.95%
Cash advance rate: 19.95%
Income requirements: Gross annual income of 12,000 or more.
Earn rate:
- Get 2% cash back in any two categories.
- 0.5% on all other everyday purchases.
Extra features:
- Unlimited cash back.
- Get a 3rd cash back category when you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account.
- Mastercard Zero Liability.
- Automatic earnings.
Neo Mastercard- For The Students Who Love Exclusive Discounts & Offers
If you’re looking for a no-fee credit card with a high cash back rate, the Neo Mastercard is the card for you. The Neo Mastercard offers cash back and exclusive offers at thousands of participating stores. With it, you can earn up to 4% cash back on gas and groceries and up to 1% cash back on everything else.¹ Plus, you can earn extra cash back with Neo partners.
Neo Mastercard Features
Annual fee: $0
Purchase rate: 19.99% – 29.99% (QC: 19.99% – 24.99%)
Cash Advance rate: 22.99% – 31.99% (QC: 22.99% – 25.99%)
Income requirements: No income requirements. You simply need to be a resident of Canada and be the age of majority in your province.
Earn rate:
- Earn up to 4% cash back on gas and groceries.¹
- Earn up to 1% cash back on everything else.¹
Extra features:
- For a fee of $1.99 a month, you can add the Neo Food & Drink perks. With it, you’ll get 1.25x more cashback at restaurants, cafes and bars.
- Users who travel regularly can add the Neo Travel perks, which costs $7.99 a month. With it, you’ll get higher cash back on travel purchases plus airport lounge access.
KOHO Essential Prepaid Mastercard – For The Student On A Budget
If you’re on a budget and aren’t interested in a traditional credit card, a KOHO prepaid Mastercard is a great way to create a budget and stick to it.
KOHO offers 3 tiers of full-service accounts that come with a reloadable prepaid Mastercard. Of the 3 accounts, the KOHO Essential account may be the best choice for a student on a budget. It has a $48 annual fee. However, the fee is waived if you set up a direct deposit or contribute $1000 per month. With this Mastercard, you won’t be able to use more than you have as it’s a prepaid card. Moreover, you’ll earn cash back on your purchases and earn interest on your account balance.
Use code LOANSCANADA when you sign up for a KOHO account and get $40 FREE when you add funds to your account.
KOHO Essential Prepaid Mastercard – Account Features
Annual fee: $48
- No fee if you set up a direct deposit or contribute $1000 per month
Purchase rate: none
Cash advance rate: none
Income requirements: none
Earn rate:
- Get 1% cash back on groceries, eating & drinking, and transportation.
- Up to 50% extra cash back from select merchants.
Extra features:
- Earn 2.5% savings interest on your entire account balance.
- Free e-transfers.
- Optional credit building feature for a fee.
- International money transfers.
- Upgrade to the KOHO Extra, or Everything plan to access extra perks including higher cash back rates.
Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card – For The Movie Enthusiast
If you love to cook dinner at home and then head to a movie on a Friday night with friends or a date, the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card this is the card for you. You’ll earn 2 Scene+ points for every dollar you spend at participating grocery stores and 2 Scene+ points for every dollar you spend at Cineplex.
There is also no annual fee which makes it a great option for students who rather spend their money at the movie than on expensive credit card fees.
Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card Features
Annual fee: $0
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99%
Income requirements: Must have a personal income of at least 12,000 annually.
Earn rate:
- Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at participating groceries stores (IGA, Sobey’s, Safeway, etc.).
- Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at participating Home Hardware brand stores.
- Earn 2 Scene+pPoints for every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres or at cineplex.com.
- Eearn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
Extra features:
- Save up to 25% off at participating AVIS and Budget car rental locations.
CIBC Aventura Visa for Students – For The Student With Wanderlust
If you have a thirst for adventure and travel, this card may be your best offer. Earn Aventura points on your everyday purchases. Aventura points never expire and can be used to book flights with any airline. Moreover, with these points, you can also cover taxes and fees. So if you earn enough Aventura points, you won’t have to spend a dime!
Plus, there’s nothing better than earning points by doing the things you love: travelling. When you make a travel purchase through the CIBC rewards centre, you’ll earn points. This card also comes with a free SPC membership card, so you can save money on your trips and at home when you shop. Lastly, it has what every student looks for in a credit card: no annual fee and no income requirements.
CIBC Aventura Visa Features
Annual fee: $0
Purchase rate:20.99%
Cash advance rate:22.99% (21.99% for QC residents)
Income requirements: No minimum annual income requirement.
Earn rate:
- 1 point for every $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores.
- 1 point for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
- 1 point for every $2 spent on all other purchases.
Extra features:
- Get a free SPC+ membership and save up to 30% on select brands online and in-store.
- Purchase security insurance.
- Car rental insurance.
- Common carrier accident insurance.
President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® – For The Student Who Likes To Cook
If you love to cook or do a lot of grocery shopping, you’ll love this card. With 25 points earned per dollar spent at Shoppers Drug Mart and 10 points per dollar spent at the Real Canadian Superstore, you’re sure to earn loads of points while shopping for your meals.
This card is beneficial to people who shop for food more than anything. Why go for a 1% flat cashback rate if you can earn more on the things you buy. You’re able to redeem your points starting at the value of 10,000 PC Optimum points = $10 dollars.
President’s Choice Financial Mastercard Features
Annual fee: $0
Purchase rate: 21.99%
Cash advance rate:22.97% (21.97% for QC residents)
Income requirements: Subject to credit approval and other eligibility criteria.
Earn rate:
- Earn 25 PC Optimum points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart.
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent at participating grocery stores such as Provigo, Wholesale Club and Maxi.
- Earn 30 cents per litre when you buy gas at Esso or Mobil stations.
- Earn 20 points per $1 spent on PC Travel.
- Earn 10 points per $1 everywhere else.
Extra features:
- Add up to 4 additional cards for free.
- Mastercard Global Service.
CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card for Students – For The Student Who Moved Out
A great points card that’s designed with students in mind is the CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students. This card is perfect for students who have just moved and started living on their own because of its balanced points system.
Upon making your very first purchase with this card, you’ll receive $50 cash back. Following that, you can earn 2% cash back on groceries, 1% cash back on dining, gas and transportation, and 0.5% cash back on everything else. There’s no limit on your total cash back earning potential
As a CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students cardholder, you’ll receive a free SPC membership, which provides exclusive access to discounts and experiences. Shop deals at over 450 partner retailers with your SPC membership.
CIBC Dividend® Visa* Features
Annual fee: $0
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99% (QC: 21.99%)
Income requirements: No minimum income requirement.
Earn rate:
- Earn 2% cash back on eligible groceries.
- Earn 1% cash back on eligible dining, transportation, gas, bill payments.
- Earn 0.5 % cash back on everything else.
Extra features:
- Unlimited cash back .
- make your first purchase within the first 4 months and get $50 cash back.
- Purchase Security Insurance and Extended Warranty Insurance.
- Free SPC+ membership.
- Save on gas purchases at participating locations.
Looking for the best credit card options?
Why Apply For A Student Credit Card?
A student credit card can be an excellent way to start building healthy credit. After all, the only way to establish credit is to prove to the credit bureaus that you are responsible with your money and are able to make your bill payments on time every month. By the time you finish school, you should be able to have established some level of credit just by using a credit card for your purchases and paying them off every billing period.
Plus, credit cards are often the only way to make certain purchases, such as online purchases and travel reservations. Without a credit card, you might be limited in what you can and can’t buy.
Credit cards can be difficult to get approved for, as they often have a minimum income requirement that is way out of reach for most students. Thankfully, student credit cards are much easier to qualify for, and some don’t have any minimum income requirement at all.
Not sure what the best credit card combination is for your needs?
What To Look For The Best Credit Card For Students In Canada?
The best credit card for students in Canada depends on how well the card is geared toward students. Here are some important factors to consider before settling on one for you:
Annual Fee
Obviously, the lower the fee you need to pay every year, the better. The only time an annual fee may be worth it is if you spend enough to earn enough points to break even.
Minimum Income
Students typically earn a very modest income, if any at all. As such, look for a card that you can qualify for without requiring a sizable income.
Rewards
Why not make your money work for you? Many student-based credit cards offer the opportunity to collect and redeem points. If you’re interested in a card like this, look for one that is geared toward your particular lifestyle. For instance, if you’re a cinema fanatic, then collecting points that can be redeemed for free movies make sense; likewise for cards that offer points to be redeemed for travel if you love vacationing.
Extra Perks
There may be other perks that you might find attractive or even necessary. For instance, if you travel a lot, you may want to look for a card that also comes with some type of travel insurance so you don’t have to purchase a separate policy.
Bottom Line On The Best Credit Card For Students In Canada
All these cards offer no annual fee, have little to no eligibility requirements and have reward benefits. Always do your research and choose a credit card based on your needs and not a freebie. Once you have a credit card that matches your lifestyle, keep track of your spending and pay off your balance in full. If you do that, you’ll build the credit you need and be that much closer to being a successful adult.
Best Credit Card For Students In Canada FAQs
Should I get a credit card as a student?
How do I get the best student credit card in Canada?
Will I be charged interest if I only pay the minimum payment on my credit card?
¹Minimum balance in a Neo Everyday account required to earn the highest rate. Cashback earn subject to monthly maximum spend limits. Cashback may be limited and varies by perks, offer, and partner. There may be monthly limits for boosted cashback offers.
