BUILD CREDIT Updated May 2026

Student Cards

Start your financial journey on the right foot. No income history required for most student cards.

STUDENT
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Compare Top Cards for Students

Comparing results based on your preferences.

Smart Filter
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$
Annual Fee $120
Purchase 20.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
RBC Royal Bank RBC Royal Bank
Best For [ Travel Rewards ] [ Student ]
RBC Avion Visa Platinum
Est. 1st Yr Value: $1160
Avion Rewards
Welcome Bonus: Get up to 55,000 Avion points (max travel value of $1,100), that's up to 3 round trip flights
Highlights: Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $120
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $50.00
Annual Fee $48
Purchase 20.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
RBC Royal Bank RBC Royal Bank
Best For [ Student ] [ Rewards ]
RBC ION+ Visa
Est. 1st Yr Value: $516
Avion Rewards
Welcome Bonus: Get up to 21,000 Avion points - that’s up to $150 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 6, 2026. Exp: May 6, 2026
Highlights: Mobile Device Insurance Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $48
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 21.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
Scotiabank Scotiabank
Best For [ No Annual Fee ] [ Student ] [ Rewards ]
Scotiabank American Express Card for Students
Est. 1st Yr Value: $401
Scene+
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months.
Highlights: No Annual Fee Mobile Device Insurance Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance +1 more
View Offer
ELIGIBILITY
Personal Inc: $12,000
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income $12,000
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 21.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
CIBC CIBC
Best For [ No Annual Fee ] [ Student ] [ Rewards ]
CIBC Adapta Mastercard for Students
Est. 1st Yr Value: $393
Welcome Bonus: Join and earn up to $150 in value with no annual fee
Highlights: No Annual Fee Free Checked bag Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance +1 more
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 20.95%
Cash Adv. 22.95%
Tangerine Bank Tangerine Bank
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Balance Transfer ]
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Est. 1st Yr Value: $366
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for 2 months (Up to $100) Exp: Apr 30, 2026
Balance Transfer: 1.95% Balance Transfer for 6 months (1% transfer fee).
Highlights: No Annual Fee Introductory 0% APR on Balance Transfers Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance
View Offer
ELIGIBILITY
Personal Inc: $12,000
Purchase APR 20.95%
Cash Advance APR 22.95%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income $12,000
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 20.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
Scotiabank Scotiabank
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Balance Transfer ]
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card for Students
Est. 1st Yr Value: $353
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for the first 3 months + 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months.
Balance Transfer: 0% Balance Transfer for 6 months (2% transfer fee).
Highlights: No Annual Fee Introductory 0% APR on Balance Transfers
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 20.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
Scotiabank Scotiabank
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Balance Transfer ]
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
Est. 1st Yr Value: $353
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for the first 3 months + 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months.
Balance Transfer: 0% Balance Transfer for 6 months (2% transfer fee).
Highlights: No Annual Fee Introductory 0% APR on Balance Transfers
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 21.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
Scotiabank Scotiabank
Best For [ No Annual Fee ] [ Student ] [ Rewards ]
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students
Est. 1st Yr Value: $334
Scene+
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 10,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first 3 months.
Highlights: No Annual Fee
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 21.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
CIBC CIBC
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Student ]
CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students
Est. 1st Yr Value: $332
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus: Join and earn up to $125 cash back
Highlights: No Annual Fee Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance Annual fee rebate with selected account
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 21.99%
Cash Adv. 23.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal BMO Bank of Montreal
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Student ]
Student BMO CashBack Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $330
Welcome Bonus: Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months!
Highlights: No Annual Fee Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash Advance APR 23.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Showing 10 of 21 cards

More Cards for Students

Explore other highly-rated options you might have missed.

ATB Load & Go® Prepaid Mastercard®
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: N/A
1st Yr Value $0
View Offer
CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 12,500 Aventura Points for no annual fee.
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: 21.99%
1st Yr Value $305
View Offer
WestJet RBC Mastercard
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 10,000 WestJet points, that's a value of up to $100 off travel.
Annual Fee: $39 Purchase Int: 20.99%
1st Yr Value $241
View Offer
Scotia Momentum Visa Card for Students
Welcome Bonus
2.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months.
Annual Fee: $49 Purchase Int: 20.99%
1st Yr Value $131
View Offer
BMO Prepaid Mastercard
BMO Prepaid Mastercard
BMO Bank of Montreal
Welcome Bonus
Enjoy a reloadable and secure card for your day-to-day transactions.
Annual Fee: $9 Purchase Int: 0.00%
1st Yr Value $170
View Offer
RBC ION Visa
RBC ION Visa
RBC Royal Bank
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 11,000 Avion points - that's up to $75 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 6, 2026.
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: 20.99%
1st Yr Value $255
View Offer
Scotiabank Value Visa Card for Students
Welcome Bonus
0.99% promo interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months + First-year fee waived.
Annual Fee: $0 $29 Purchase Int: 13.99%
1st Yr Value $180
View Offer
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students
Welcome Bonus
Apply and earn up to $200 in value, which includes up to 10,000 Aeroplan points!
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: 21.99%
1st Yr Value $330
View Offer
RBC Cash Back Mastercard
Welcome Bonus
Get Unlimited Cash Back on Your Purchases with our no annual fee Cash Back credit card
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: 20.99%
1st Yr Value $0
View Offer
CIBC Classic Visa Card for Students
Welcome Bonus
90-day protection on new purchases.
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: 21.99%
1st Yr Value $0
View Offer
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Compare Top Cards for Students Cards and financial strategy.

Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Terms subject to change by issuers.

Personal income generally refers to your individual annual earnings. Household income typically includes the combined income of you and your spouse or common-law partner. Premium cards often have higher income thresholds (e.g., $60k personal or $100k household) to qualify.

In Canada, you will often see AIR (Annual Interest Rate) used. It represents the yearly cost of borrowing on the card. Standard cards typically have purchase interest rates around 20.99%, while Low Interest cards can be significantly lower. Cash advances often carry higher interest rates than purchases.

Credit card networks (Visa/Mastercard) set their own daily exchange rates, which are generally very close to the market rate. However, unless you have a No-FX fee card, the issuer adds a surcharge (usually 2.5%) on top of this rate, which is why the total cost is higher than the spot market rate.

It might. Cancelling an older card reduces your 'Average Age of Accounts,' which is a factor in your credit score. It also reduces your total available credit, which could increase your utilization ratio. If the card has no annual fee, it is often better to keep it open and use it occasionally to keep the history active.

Many student cards have more flexible income requirements compared to premium cards, sometimes requiring no specific annual income. However, applicants must typically be the age of majority in their province and provide proof of enrollment in a post-secondary institution.