What Chase offers for student cardholders
Chase offers two main student credit cards: the Chase Freedom Student credit card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Student card. Both are designed for people building credit for the first time, though they differ in rewards structure and annual fees. The Freedom Student card has no annual fee and earns cash back on rotating categories. The Sapphire Preferred Student card charges an annual fee but offers higher rewards on travel and dining purchases.
Neither card requires you to have an existing credit history or a co-signer, though Chase will review your income or financial resources during the approval process. Both cards report to the three major credit bureaus, which means your payment history builds your credit score over time. You can manage either card through the Chase mobile app or online portal.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Freedom Student has no annual fee and earns 1% cash back on all purchases plus bonus categories that rotate quarterly.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Student charges $95 per year but earns higher rewards on travel, dining, and streaming services.
- Both cards report to credit bureaus and help you build credit history as long as you pay your bill on time each month.
- You do not need a co-signer or existing credit history to be considered, but Chase will ask about your income or financial resources.
- Credit limits for student cards typically start low — often $500 to $2,500 — and increase as your credit history strengthens.
Chase Freedom Student card details
The Chase Freedom Student card charges no annual fee and earns 1% cash back on all purchases. On top of that, it earns 5% cash back on rotating categories that change every three months — typically categories like groceries, gas stations, restaurants, or streaming services. Chase notifies cardholders when categories rotate, and you can set up the bonus through the app or website each quarter to earn the higher rate.
Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open. You can redeem them as a statement credit, transfer them to a Chase checking or savings account, or use them toward your credit card balance. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can cash out even small balances.
The card comes with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first six months, after which the regular APR applies. Chase does not publicly disclose the exact APR range for student cards, but it typically falls between 18% and 24% depending on your creditworthiness at the time of approval.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Student card details
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Student card costs $95 per year but earns higher rewards on categories that matter to students. It earns 3% cash back on dining, streaming services, and transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, and buses). All other purchases earn 1% cash back. Like the Freedom Student card, rewards do not expire and can be redeemed as statement credits or transferred to a Chase bank account.
This card also includes a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first six months. After that period, the regular APR applies — again, typically between 18% and 24% depending on your credit profile at approval. The $95 annual fee is charged on your statement each year on the card anniversary.
The Sapphire Preferred Student card makes sense if you spend regularly on dining, streaming subscriptions, or public transportation and expect those rewards to exceed the $95 annual fee. If you rarely use those categories, the Freedom Student card's no-fee structure is usually the better choice.
How to understand credit limits and credit building
Chase typically starts student cardholders with a credit limit between $500 and $2,500. Your specific limit depends on the income or financial resources you report during the approval process. Even if you have a job, your limit may be lower than a non-student applicant's because student cards are designed for people early in their credit journey.
Your credit limit can increase over time. After six months of on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase through the Chase app or by calling the number on the back of your card. Chase may also increase your limit automatically if your payment history is strong. Each time your limit increases, it can improve your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are using — which is a factor in your credit score.
Both cards report your payment activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means every on-time payment builds your credit history, and missed or late payments will damage your score. Paying your full balance by the due date each month is the fastest way to build strong credit and avoid interest charges.
Comparing Chase student cards to other student card options
Chase is not the only issuer offering student credit cards. Discover, Capital One, and Bank of America also have student card products. The main differences come down to rewards rates, annual fees, and approval standards. Discover's student card, for example, has no annual fee and matches your cash back rewards for the first year. Capital One's student card has no annual fee but offers no cash back rewards at all — it is designed purely for credit building.
If you are deciding between Chase and another issuer, compare the rewards categories you actually use against the annual fee. A card with higher rewards on categories you do not spend in will cost you money. Also check whether the card offers an introductory 0% APR period, as this can save you interest if you carry a balance while you are learning to manage credit.
What happens after you graduate
Your student credit card does not automatically close or change when you graduate. Chase will continue to report your payment history to the credit bureaus, and your card remains active as long as you keep the account open and pay your bills. Some student cards convert to regular adult versions of the same card once you graduate, though this conversion is automatic and does not require you to do anything.
If you want to switch to a different Chase card after graduation — perhaps one with better rewards or travel benefits — you can explore for a new card and close the student card, or keep both open. Keeping the student card open can actually help your credit score because it maintains your average account age and keeps your total available credit higher. The only reason to close it would be if the annual fee (for the Sapphire Preferred Student) becomes a burden and you do not use the card anymore.
How to manage your Chase student card responsibly
The most important step is paying your full balance by the due date each month. This avoids interest charges and ensures your payment history stays clean. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay at least the minimum payment on time — but understand that you will be charged interest on the remaining balance at the card's APR.
Set up automatic payments through your Chase account if possible. You can choose to pay the full balance automatically, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month. Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date, which can damage your credit score and trigger late fees.
Keep your credit utilization low — ideally below 30% of your credit limit. If your limit is $1,000, try not to carry a balance above $300. This ratio affects your credit score and shows lenders that you can manage credit responsibly. As your limit increases and your credit history strengthens, you may become may be able to access for cards with better rewards or lower interest rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a co-signer to get a Chase student card?
No. Chase does not require a co-signer for either student card. You will need to provide information about your income or financial resources, but you can be approved on your own credit profile. If you have no income, you can list financial resources like savings or parental support.
What is the difference between the two Chase student cards?
The Freedom Student card has no annual fee and earns 1% cash back on all purchases plus 5% on rotating categories. The Sapphire Preferred Student card costs $95 per year but earns 3% on dining, streaming, and transit. Choose the Freedom card if you want no fees; choose the Sapphire card if you spend heavily on those three categories and expect rewards to exceed the annual fee.
Can I use my student card after I graduate?
Yes. Your card remains active and continues to build your credit history. It may automatically convert to a regular version of the same card, or you can keep it as is. Keeping it open helps your credit score by maintaining your account history and available credit.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will damage your credit score. You will also be charged a late fee and may face a higher APR. If you miss a payment, contact Chase as soon as possible to bring your account current and discuss your options.
How long does it take to build credit with a student card?
Credit bureaus typically need six months of payment history before they can generate a credit score. After that, consistent on-time payments will steadily improve your score over months and years. The longer your account stays open and in good standing, the stronger your credit history becomes.