A student credit card is a special credit card that is designed to suit the specific needs of college students. Irrespective of whether you are studying in India or abroad, as long as you are 18 years of age or older, you can apply for a credit card for students to manage your daily expenditures, such as buying course-related books, transportation, leisure activities, etc. Such cards are valid for 5 years and have a very low-interest rate.
Here is everything you need to know about student credit cards in India.
ON THIS PAGE: How to get Student Credit Card | Application Process | Eligibility Criteria | Documents Required | Features & Benefits | Fees & Limit | Reward Points | How to Use? | Student Credit Card in India | Safety Measures | FAQs
To apply for a student credit card in India, you do not need employment or Income Tax documents as you are still a student. So, what do you need instead? Well, to answer this, we have listed out how you can get a student credit card issued in your name.
If you have a fixed deposit in your name you can use it to apply for a student credit card online or offline. However, the minimum fixed deposit amount that you must have to be eligible for such a card may vary from bank to bank.
If you have a family member who owns a credit card, you can get a student credit card as an add-on card against their card. However, to get approved, the primary cardholder must have a good credit history.
Some banks issue student credit cards against savings history. If you have a savings bank account with a steady monthly average balance as specified by the issuing bank, you can use it to apply for a student credit card.
Much like any other credit card application, you can apply for a student credit card online as well as offline. However, do note that some banks may allow only online or offline applications. It is therefore wise to discuss with a bank representative before initiating the application process.
Also, you must meet the Student credit card eligibility criteria, and possess all the necessary credit card documents, along with the duly filled application form to apply for your student credit card.
The student credit card eligibility criteria are as follows –
The student credit card age limit is 18 years old and above.
You must be enrolled in a college or university to get a student credit card.
The credit card issuer can ask your parents/guardians of the student to open a fixed deposit account to get a student credit card.
Some banking institutions make it mandatory to open a savings account with a minimum quarterly balance before issuing a student credit card.
Some banking institutions only give student credit cards to people who have availed an education loan with them.
Since students cannot present any income proof in the form of salary slips or IT returns, the valid student credit card documents are as follow:
Identity Proof Documents (Submit Any One) |
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Address Proof Documents (Submit Any One) |
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Age Proof Documents (Submit Any One) |
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College/University Enrollment Proof Documents (Submit Any One) |
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The features and benefits of student credit cards that you need to know to make an informed decision are mentioned below:
It comes with a low credit limit so that you do not overspend and fall into a debt trap.
It comes with a low cash withdrawal limit so that students can use the cash wisely and only for emergencies.
Student-friendly credit cards offer convenience and quick access to funds.
The student credit card interest rate is low to ensure you repay the debt conveniently over time.
The card has a validity of five years.
It can be converted into a standard credit card once you are done with your college education.
You can increase the credit limit of the card based on their employment and income status.
The benefits of college students having credit cards are as follows –
The card allows you to manage your day-to-day expenses on your own
It helps you learn the importance of repaying dues on time from a very young age.
Prompt repayment of student credit card dues helps build a good credit score.
You earn reward points and discounts against your transactions.
You do not have to pay a fee to apply for a student credit card.
There are no charges applicable for availing a duplicate student credit card.
A student credit card usually comes with no annual fee which makes it an affordable financial instrument for college-going students. However, it is critical to get in touch with the issuing financial institution to check whether they offer a no-fee student credit card.
The credit limit on a student credit card is usually low, around ₹15,000 (the amount may vary from bank to bank), and the card is valid for five years. The limit is set to a minimum so that you do not overspend and get yourself into debt from a young age.
The credit card offers for college students are designed in such a way that managing finances is fun and easy for you. You can enjoy some of the best credit card deals, cashback and discounts which would allow you to save more. You get access to special discounts on movie tickets and events, fuel surcharge waivers, free airport lounge access, interest-free ATM withdrawals, and more.
Also, the student credit card reward points can be redeemed against coupons and merchandise as per the bank’s reward catalogue.
When using a student credit card, there are few things you must keep in mind-
Use the student credit card to borrow funds conveniently for a short time.
Ensure that you only spend as much as you can pay off at the end of the month.
Build your credit score by clearing the monthly dues on or before the payment due date.
Always pay the total outstanding bill and not just the minimum amount due.
Keep credit utilisation low by using only one-third of your available credit.
Use credit card cash withdrawal only in case of emergencies so that you do not have to pay hefty charges on your student credit card.
To provide financial assistance to students who wish to pursue higher education, the state governments of various Indian states offer special credit cards for students. For example, in 2016, the Bihar government introduced the Bihar Student Credit Card for students who have cleared their Class 12 board exams and need financial help to pursue higher education in the educational institutions recognized by concerned regulatory boards/ agencies Bihar government/ other state government/ central govt. The maximum loan you can apply for using the Bihar Student Credit Card is ₹4 lakh. Similarly, in 2021, the West Bengal state government presented the West Bengal Student Credit Card scheme, under which students who have passed the Class 10 board examinations and are looking to pursue higher studies, can get access to loans worth up to ₹10 lakh.
Do note that you must be a resident of these states to apply for these student credit cards.
To make it easy for students to avail funds when they need to, a number of popular banks in the country offer student credit cards. Some of these banks are mentioned below.
HDFC Bank
ICICI Bank
State Bank of India (SBI)
Axis Bank
Some of the best student credit cards you can avail from the top banks in the country are as follows:
The student credit card is designed especially for students who have availed an education loan from the State Bank of India.
The student credit card offers 10 currencies for global students who need the convenience of switching between currencies seamlessly.
This student credit card offers International Student Identity Card free memberships which lets you enjoy attractive discounts at various locations in India and overseas.
This student credit card functions as an Identity Card and credit card in one and gives you access to special discounts and offers globally.
This student credit card offers 23 currencies in one card to cater to multi-destination travelling needs of students.
While a credit card is a convenient financial instrument that gives you quick access to funds, it needs to be handled carefully, especially considering you are a student. Here are the steps you need to follow.
Make sure that you are not sharing the ATM pin or your net banking password with anyone
Try to avoid shopping for things from unsecured websites
Make sure that you do not share your student credit card number with anyone.
In case the card gets stolen or blocked, contact the student credit card customer care and raise a concern immediately.
More About Payments & Other Credit Cards |
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To choose the best credit card for students, you need to take into consideration a few factors such as credit limit, issuance fees, annual/renewal fees, student credit card interest rate, benefits, features, etc. Several banks offer students credit cards, however, the eligibility parameters and card specifications may vary. Therefore, it is wise to check with the issuer before applying for a student credit card.
You can get a student credit card against fixed deposit, or as an add-on credit card issued to a primary credit card holder, or against a savings bank account.
Once you have found the best credit card for yourself, check if you match the eligibility requirements for the card. If eligible, you can fill in the application form online or offline and submit the required documents. Upon verification and approval, the issuer will send the credit card to you within a few days.
Yes, student credit cards are designed for individuals who do not have any income. So, getting a student credit card without a job is easy.
A student credit card is a card specially designed for college students. If you are above 18 years old, you can apply for such a card to manage your finances efficiently. The interest rate on student credit cards is low and it comes with a validity of five years.
Ideally, you can pay your bills using the student credit card only if the biller is available in the list provided by the issuer. Major utility billers include gas, telephone, electricity, insurance, etc. When making the payment for these, select the biller, provide the necessary details, and review the amount to be paid. After this, in the payment option, choose a credit card and pay the bill.
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