What Citi offers for student cardholders
Citi offers two main student credit cards: the Citi Rewards Student Card and the Citi Secured Credit Card for students. Both are designed for people building credit for the first time or rebuilding it. The Rewards card requires no annual fee and offers cash back on purchases. The Secured card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit, and it's meant to help you build a credit history when you can't get approved for an unsecured card.
Neither card requires proof of income — Citi asks about your income but does not demand documentation the way some issuers do. Both report to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so your payment history builds your credit score. The cards are available to people 18 and older with a Social Security number and a U.S. address.
The key difference between them is that the Rewards card is unsecured (you don't put money down), while the Secured card requires a deposit. If you have no credit history or a low score, the Secured card is often easier to get approved for. If you already have some credit history, the Rewards card may be the better choice.
Key Takeaways
- Citi's student Rewards card has no annual fee and offers cash back, but requires some credit history to be approved.
- Citi's Secured card requires a cash deposit equal to your credit limit, and is designed for people with little or no credit history.
- Both cards report to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit score over time.
- You can request a credit limit increase after six months of on-time payments on either card.
- Citi does not require proof of income for student cards, though you will be asked to estimate your annual income.
The Citi Rewards Student Card: cash back with no annual fee
The Rewards card earns 1% cash back on all purchases, with no cap on how much you can earn. There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no penalty APR (the interest rate does not jump if you miss a payment, though you will still pay interest on the balance). You can redeem cash back as a statement credit, a check, or a deposit to a Citi bank account.
The card comes with a starting credit limit of $500 to $2,500, depending on your credit profile and income. After six months of on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase without a hard inquiry (a check that temporarily lowers your credit score). Citi also offers a path to upgrade to a non-student card after you graduate or build stronger credit.
Approval usually takes a few minutes to a few hours if you explore online. You'll receive a decision when ready or within one business day. If you're approved, the card ships within 7 to 10 business days.
The Citi Secured Credit Card for students: building credit with a deposit
The Secured card requires you to deposit cash into a savings account held by Citi. That deposit becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, your limit is $500. The deposit earns a small amount of interest (the rate varies). You keep the deposit in the account the entire time you hold the card; it's not a payment, and Citi does not take money from it to pay your bill.
The card has no annual fee and reports to all three credit bureaus. Like the Rewards card, it earns 1% cash back on all purchases. After six to twelve months of on-time payments, you may be able to convert the card to an unsecured card, at which point Citi returns your deposit.
The Secured card is useful if you have no credit history, a very low credit score, or a recent negative mark like a late payment or collections account. It gives you a way to build credit without being turned down. The tradeoff is that your money is tied up in the deposit for as long as you hold the card.
How to start the process
You can explore for either card on Citi's website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and estimated annual income. You do not need to upload documents or provide proof of income.
When you explore, Citi will do a hard inquiry on your credit report. This temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points, but the impact fades after a few months. If you're approved, you'll see a decision on screen or receive one by email within one business day.
If you're approved for the Secured card, you'll need to fund the deposit account before the card is activated. Citi will give you instructions on how to do this — you can usually transfer money from a bank account online or by phone. Once the deposit clears, your card will be mailed to you.
Interest rates and fees to understand
Both cards have a variable APR (annual percentage rate) for purchases. The exact rate depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Citi does not publish a range, so you won't know your rate until you're approved. You can ask Citi what your rate will be before you accept the card.
There is no annual fee on either card. There is no penalty APR — if you miss a payment, you pay the regular purchase APR on the balance, not a higher rate. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use the card abroad without a surcharge. Cash advances (withdrawing money from an ATM) carry a fee of 3% of the amount, with a minimum of $3.
If you carry a balance and pay interest, the interest accrues daily. To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you can't pay the full balance, paying at least the minimum due keeps your account in good standing and prevents late fees.
Building credit with a student card
Your credit score is built from five factors: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). A student card helps most with the first three. Making on-time payments every month is the single most important thing you can do to build credit.
Keep your balance low relative to your credit limit — ideally under 30% of your limit. If your limit is $500 and you charge $150, that's 30%. The lower your balance, the better for your score. Paying off the full balance each month is ideal because you avoid interest and keep your balance at 0%.
Do not close the card after you graduate or upgrade to another card. Closing it removes available credit from your profile and can lower your score. Instead, keep it open and use it occasionally for a small purchase you pay off right away. This keeps the account active and helps your credit history grow.
When to upgrade or switch cards
After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, Citi may offer you the chance to upgrade to a non-student card. This usually happens automatically — you'll receive an offer in the mail or see it in your online account. Upgrading moves you to a card with higher rewards, a higher credit limit, or both, and you keep the same account number and history.
If Citi doesn't offer an upgrade, you can request one by calling the number on the back of your card. Be prepared to explain that you've made on-time payments and want to move to a premium card. Citi is more likely to approve an upgrade request if you've been a customer for at least a year.
If you want to switch to a different card entirely — whether from Citi or another issuer — you can do so at any time. Keep the student card open even after you get a new one, because closing it can hurt your credit score. The older account will continue to help your credit history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job or proof of income to get a Citi student card?
No. Citi asks you to estimate your annual income on the process, but does not require pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof. If you have no income, you can enter $0. Some applicants with no income are still approved, especially for the Secured card.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A late payment is reported to the credit bureaus and damages your credit score. You'll also owe a late fee (usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment). There is no penalty APR, so your interest rate doesn't jump, but you will pay interest on any balance you carry. If you miss a payment, contact Citi as soon as possible to bring the account current.
Can I use the card abroad?
Yes. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use the card in other countries without a surcharge. You will pay the regular purchase APR on foreign purchases, converted to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate Citi uses on the day of the transaction.
How long does it take to convert a Secured card to an unsecured card?
Citi typically reviews Secured cardholders after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments. If you're approved for conversion, your deposit is returned to you within 7 to 10 business days. Some people convert faster than others, depending on their payment history and credit profile.
What if I'm denied for a student card?
If you're denied for the Rewards card, explore for the Secured card instead. The Secured card has a much higher approval rate because your deposit reduces Citi's risk. You can also wait a few months and reapply for the Rewards card if you've built more credit history or increased your income in the meantime.