Discover it Student Cash Back: Up to 5% Cashback on Quarterly Rotating Categories

Earn 5% cashback on quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) – worth up to ~$300 per year in rewards. First-year Cashback Match can double your rewards to up to ~$600.

Olena
By Olena | Nov 4, 2026 at 11:31 PM EST

The Bottom Line

3.9
BIG4CREDIT RANKING Our 5-star rating is based on Big4credit’s independent, data-driven scoring system. Each card is evaluated across multiple weighted categories – including rewards, fees, welcome offers, 0% intro APR, ongoing APR, perks, benefits, and protections. Ratings are determined solely by our research and analysis and are never influenced by card issuers or advertisers. Read about our ranking system in the Credit Card Ranking & Methodology section.
This is a strong card for students who want to maximize cashback with no annual fee. It earns 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories, up to $1,500 per quarter after activation, plus 1% on other purchases. Discover’s Cashback Match doubles all cashback earned in the first year, and a 0% intro APR for 6 months can help with larger purchases. Best for students willing to track bonus categories and maximize first-year rewards.
Discover it Student Cash Back
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On Capital One's Secure Website

Discover it Student Cash Back
Annual fee:   $0

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 6 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

16.74% - 25.74%

Credit Score

New To Credit

Rewards Earn 5% cashback each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating categories. Activation is required each quarter by the stated deadline. Additionally, earn 5% cashback on Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment, plus 1% on everything else.

1% - 5% Cashback

Welcome Offer Enjoy unlimited Cashback Match: Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all cashback earned during your first year, awarded at the end of the first year.

Unlimited Cashback Match (first year)

Designed for Students: No credit score is required to apply, making it easy for students to get started. Earn 5% cashback on quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) – worth up to ~$300 per year in rewards. First-year Cashback Match can double your rewards to up to ~$600.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • 5% cashback on quarterly rotating categories
  • Unlimited Cashback Match
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Intro 0% APR on purchases
  • No credit score is required to apply

Cons:

  • Low 1% base rewards rate
  • No traditional welcome bonus
  • 5% quarterly bonus rewards are capped up to $1,500 in combined quarterly category spending
  • Bonus categories must be activate each quarter to earn 5% cashback
  • Short intro purchase APR period
  • Discover is not accepted as widely as Visa and Mastercard

Credit Score

No Credit History Required: The issuer may consider a credit score if available, but it is not required to apply.

Welcome Offer

Unlimited Cashback Match: Capital One automatically matches 100% of the cashback you earn during your first year, with no limit on the amount matched. For example, $50 in cashback becomes $100, while $100 becomes $200 after the first year.

Rewards

  • 5% Cashback on Quarterly Rotating Categories: Earn 5% cashback each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating categories. Activation is required each quarter by the stated deadline. See current categories here.
  • 5% Cashback:
    • Capital One Entertainment.
    • Capital One Travel.
  • 1% Cashback on all other purchases.

Redemption Options

Flexible Redemption Options:

  • Deposit into your bank account.
  • Statement credit.
  • Check.
  • Use your rewards to pay at checkout on Amazon.com or through PayPal.
  • Gift cards.
  • Travel through Capital One Travel portal.
  • Other options.

Fees and APR

  • Annual Fee: $0.
  • 0% Intro APR on Purchases: For 6 months from account opening.
  • Regular APR: After the introductory period, a variable APR of 16.74%, 19.74%, 23.74%, and 25.74% applies to purchases and balance transfers.
    • Paying late won’t raise your APR.
  • Balance Transfer Fees: 5% of each balance transfer made at a promotional APR. No fee applies to balances transferred at the regular Transfer APR.
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Late Payment: No fee on your first late payment.

Additional Features

  • Custom Card Design: Choose from 25 colorful designs when you apply for the Discover it® card.

Ratings

  • Net Value & Cost Efficiency: 5.0/10
  • Rewards & Earnings Power: 7.6/10
  • Welcome Bonus Value: 0.0/10
  • First-Year Earning Boost: 10/10
  • APR & Interest Structure: 6.8/10
  • Simplicity & Transparency: 8.2/10
  • Perks, Benefits & Protections: 1.9/10
  • Issuer Credibility & Stability: 7.0/10
  • Installment & BNPL Features: 0/10
  • Eligibility & Approval Accessibility: 9.5/10

Big4Credit ratings are based on our independent analysis of each card’s features, value, fees, rewards, and benefits. Card issuers do not influence our ratings.

Customer Satisfaction

The Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card received a 601 out of 1,000 score in the 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study, placing it below the average score for no-annual-fee rewards credit cards.

Terms and Conditions

Click Apply Now to see the terms and conditions.

  • Discover it Cash Back: Same rotating 5% cashback and Cashback Match, but without student eligibility requirements.
  • NHL® Discover it has the same rewards and features as Discover it Cash Back, with the added option to choose a custom NHL team design. If you want Discover it Cash Back card with a personal touch, this is it.

» MORE: See Big4credit’s best credit cards for students

The information about the credit cards has been collected independently by big4credit.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

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