Build your credit score In college and earn money back.
Advertisements
1.5% cash back on everything. $50 bonus with just $100 in purchases. No annual fee.
Capital One Quicksilver Student · Cash Rewards Credit Card
An American credit score begins to be built from the first credit card.
The sooner you start, the more prepared you are for adulthood — whether it's renting an apartment, financing a car, or getting approved for premium credit cards like the Venture X.
The Quicksilver Student card was designed for this moment: your first card, no credit history required, no annual fee, and cashback on every everyday purchase at college.
- $50 bonus After spending just $100 in the first 3 months — one of the most achievable goals among all student cards.
- 1.5% unlimited cash back On all purchases, no categories, no activation, and no expiration date.
- 5% return on hotels and car rentals Reserved through Capital One Travel.
- $0 annuity The card remains free even after graduation.
- No foreign transaction fee. — ideal for students in exchange programs.
- CreditWise is free. — Track your score in real time without impacting your rating.
- The card becomes non-student after graduation. — You won't lose your history or need to request a new card.
| Annuity | $0 |
| Welcome Bonus | $50 after $100 in purchases in the first 3 months |
| Reward rate | 1.5% on everything; 5% on Capital One Travel |
| APR | 18,49%–28,49% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Who can apply? | Students enrolled in a university or college in the USA |
| Credit score required | None — accepts no history |
| Issuer | Capital One |
The American credit score is calculated based on the account's opening time, payment history, and credit utilization.
A student who opens their first credit card at age 18 and pays their bill on time will have 4 years of positive credit history by age 22 — which already guarantees approval for mid-range cards with higher bonuses.
Those who wait until they finish college to start from scratch at the same time they need to rent an apartment and buy a car.
The APR for this card ranges between 18,49% and 28,49% — typical for student cards, but high enough to erode any cashback benefit if you load it with a balance.
The right strategy is simple: use the card for expenses you would make anyway — streaming, transportation, meals — and pay off the total balance each month.
This way you build a history, accumulate cash back, and don't pay a cent in interest.
Your first step toward a solid credit score in the U.S.
No history required. Bonus of $50 with only $100 in purchases.
Request the Quicksilver Student card.Rates and terms updated in 2026 and subject to change. See the Capital One website for current terms. This page may contain affiliate links.
