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This offer is currently unavailable through Wells Fargo and some offer details may be out of date.
The Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card stands out from the growing sea of student credit cards not so much for its rewards as for its other perks. These include a FICO® Score for free, a six-month 0% introductory APR, cellphone protection, and travel assistance services. The rewards-earning potential after the six-month introductory period is modest, but you can still earn cash back on purchases. Plus, you're building a credit history that can pave the way to better rewards credit cards later. Find out more about these and more benefits in our Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card review.
Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card
Great for: Students rewards program
Fair/New to Credit Under(669)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 6 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee
Purchases: 0%, 6 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 6 months on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
11.15% - 21.15%, variable
Rewards
1% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 3% cash back on gas, grocery and drugstore purchases (up to $2,500 spent) for the first 6 months
3% cash back
As far as student cards go, this is one of the best options for its rewards and other perks. There is a six month intro period to earn bonuses, but the rewards earning potential doesn't stop there.
This credit card is a good fit for: Students looking for a card that will start them off with an excellent cash back rate. Those who have big purchases to make or credit card debt to pay off could also benefit from this card's 0% intro APR.
In addition to helping college students build a credit history, Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ cardholders can earn up to 3% cash back on up to $2,500 in spending at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores during their first six months. That amounts to $75 in cash back rewards. You'll also earn an unlimited 1% back on other eligible purchases during the introductory period. After the first six months are up, you'll receive 1% cash back on eligible purchases.
Read more: Best Rewards Credit Cards
Wells Fargo doesn't charge you an annual fee for adding the Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card to your wallet.
See more options: Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
The Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers in the first six months. This is a rare benefit among student credit cards and may be useful if you need to finance a large purchase or pay down credit card debt.
You can redeem your Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card rewards via deposit into a Wells Fargo savings account in $25 increments, at a Wells Fargo ATM in $20 increments, or by requesting a check. You can also redeem your cash back for gift cards, travel rewards, and merchandise.
All Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ cardholders receive free FICO® Scores once per month. You can access yours by logging into your online Wells Fargo account. FICO is the most popular credit scoring model in use today and knowing your score can help you assess your chances of being approved for new credit.
Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ cardholders receive several protections rarely found with student credit cards. These include:
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. N/A | 1% - 5% Cashback Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. |
Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR |
|
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Up to $300 cash back Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | 1.5% - 5% cash back Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Intro: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months Regular: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
|
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
75,000 Miles 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 2X-5X miles Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. |
Intro: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A Regular: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) |
The 3% cash back rate on drugstore, grocery, and gas purchases drops to 1% after six months. Student credit cards aren't known for their great rewards, but there are some that offer these bonus categories to cardholders for as long as they own the card. One of these might suit you better if you're interested in maximizing your rewards-earning potential.
Some credit card issuers automatically upgrade student credit card holders to regular rewards credit cards when they graduate, or sometimes after a few months of responsible use. Wells Fargo does not do this, so you will have to call to request an upgrade or apply for a new card yourself.
You may only apply for the Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card online if you already have a checking or savings account or have taken out a loan with the bank. If you don't already have one of these, you'll have to contact Wells Fargo by phone or visit a branch in person in order to apply. It's not a huge deal, but most other student credit cards enable you to sign up online, which many people find to be easier and faster.
Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
This card is designed to help students build credit, so you don't need to already have good credit or an established credit history in order to apply. However, that doesn't mean that everyone who applies is approved. Wells Fargo will still evaluate your credit qualifications, which can include your credit history, income, and existing debt.
The Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card is one of the only student credit cards to offer a 0% introductory APR. This makes it a solid choice for college students who are interested in financing a large purchase or are already carrying some credit card debt. Students interested in its cellphone protection and travel services should also move this card up on their list because there aren't many student credit cards that offer these perks.
It does give college students an opportunity to earn rewards while building credit. But those interested in maximizing their credit card rewards may prefer a student credit card that doesn't drop the rewards-earning rate on their bonus categories after the card's introductory period is up. When it comes to earning rewards, college students -- and credit card users generally -- should avoid chasing the most rewards points if doing so would cause them to accumulate credit card debt.
A student credit card is first and foremost a tool to help you establish a responsible credit history, and the Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card can help you do that while still giving you some modest rewards in the process.
Want more credit card options? Check out our guide on the best cash back credit cards.
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
The credit limit for the Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card typically ranges from $500 to $2,000 or more. Wells Fargo bases the credit limit on the cardholder's creditworthiness. Since this is a student card, credit limits tend to be lower than they are on other credit cards.
The Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card is no longer available.
It's possible to upgrade the Wells Fargo Cash Back College℠ card to another card in the Wells Fargo lineup. To request an upgrade, call the number on the back of your card.
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