Citizens Bank does not currently offer a student credit card under its own brand
Citizens Bank's credit card lineup does not include a product specifically marketed as a student card. The bank offers several general-purpose credit cards — including cash back cards, travel cards, and cards for people rebuilding credit — but none carry the "student" label or the reduced requirements that typically come with student cards from other issuers.
If you are a student looking for a credit card, you have two paths: apply for one of Citizens Bank's standard cards if you meet their income and credit requirements, or explore student cards from other banks that are designed for people with limited credit history or no income from employment.
Key Takeaways
- Citizens Bank does not make a student credit card, so you cannot get one through them even if you are enrolled in school.
- Citizens Bank's regular credit cards typically require a credit score of 670 or higher and proof of income, which many students do not have.
- Student credit cards from other issuers — like Discover, Capital One, and Chase — are designed for people with no credit history and do not require a job or minimum income.
- If you have a Citizens Bank checking account, you may be able to get a secured card from them, which requires a cash deposit instead of a credit score.
Citizens Bank's credit card options for people with limited credit
Citizens Bank offers a secured credit card that does not require a credit score to open. You deposit cash into a savings account, and that deposit becomes your credit limit — typically between $500 and $2,500. You use the card like a regular credit card, and Citizens Bank reports your payments to the credit bureaus. After 7 to 12 months of on-time payments, you may be able to move to an unsecured card.
Citizens Bank also offers a credit card for people rebuilding credit, though this card does require a credit score (usually 550 or higher). If you have no credit history at all — which is common for students who have never borrowed — you may not may have access to for this card either.
The bank's standard cash back and travel cards require a credit score of 670 or higher and proof of income. For most full-time students without a job, these cards are not an option.
Why student credit cards exist and what makes them different
Student credit cards are built for people in school who have no credit history and often no income. They typically have lower credit limits (often $500 to $1,000), no annual fee, and they report to credit bureaus so you build a credit record from the start. Most do not require a job or a minimum income — some ask only that you are enrolled in school and at least 18 years old.
Because Citizens Bank does not make a student card, you would need to look elsewhere if you want a card designed specifically for your situation. Discover, Capital One, Chase, and American Express all offer student cards. Each has different features: some offer cash back on purchases, some waive the annual fee for the first year, and some offer a higher credit limit after a few months of on-time payments.
How to apply for a Citizens Bank secured card as a student
If you want to build credit through Citizens Bank, the secured card is your option. You will need to open a savings account with the bank (or use an existing one), deposit the cash that will become your credit limit, and then apply for the secured card. The deposit stays in the account and earns interest — it is not a fee.
Citizens Bank requires you to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You will need a Social Security number and a valid ID. The bank will check ChexSystems (a banking history database) but not your credit score, so even if you have no credit history, you can open the account and card.
The secured card comes with an annual fee (the amount varies by product), so factor that into your decision. After you have used the card responsibly for several months, you can ask Citizens Bank to convert it to an unsecured card, at which point they will return your deposit.
Comparing student cards from other banks
If you are shopping for a student card, here is what to look for: no annual fee, no income requirement, and the ability to add a parent as an authorized user (useful if you need a co-signer). Some student cards offer a small cash back rate (1% or 2%) on all purchases or bonus cash back in certain categories like groceries or gas.
Discover's student card has no annual fee and offers 1% cash back on all purchases. Capital One's student card also has no annual fee and reports to all three credit bureaus. Chase's student card requires a higher credit score than most student cards, so it is better if you already have some credit history.
The key difference between a student card and Citizens Bank's secured card is that a student card requires no deposit — you get a credit limit based on your age and enrollment status, not on cash you put down. If you have no income and no credit history, a student card from another bank is usually easier to get than a secured card.
Building credit as a student without a credit card
If you cannot get approved for any credit card right now, there are other ways to build credit while you are in school. You can become an authorized user on a parent's credit card — their payment history will show up on your credit report, and you build credit without having your own account. You can also take out a small student loan (even if you do not need it for school) and make on-time payments, which credit bureaus track.
Some banks offer credit-builder loans, which work like a secured card but for installment credit instead of revolving credit. You borrow a small amount (usually $300 to $1,000), make monthly payments, and the bank reports to credit bureaus. After you pay it off, you have built credit and you get the money back.
What happens after you graduate
If you start with a student card or a secured card while in school, your credit history will follow you after graduation. By the time you graduate, you may have 2 to 4 years of payment history, which means you can may have access to for better cards with higher limits, lower interest rates, and better rewards. The card you use as a student is not permanent — it is a stepping stone to building the credit you will need for loans, apartments, and other financial decisions.
If you built credit through Citizens Bank's secured card, you can convert it to an unsecured card and keep the account open, or you can move to a different bank's card once you have a credit score. Either way, the history stays on your credit report and continues to help your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Citizens Bank credit card as a student with no job?
Not their standard cards — those require proof of income. Your option is the secured card, which requires a cash deposit instead. You do not need a job to open a secured card, only the deposit money and proof you are 18 or older.
Do I need a parent to co-sign a credit card application?
Most student cards do not require a co-signer. Citizens Bank's secured card does not either. Some banks let you add a parent as an authorized user, which is different from a co-signer — they can use the card but are not legally responsible for the debt.
What is the difference between a student card and a secured card?
A student card gives you a credit limit based on your age and school status, with no deposit required. A secured card requires you to deposit cash, and that deposit becomes your limit. Student cards are easier to get if you have no credit history; secured cards are easier if you have a poor credit history.
Will a credit card hurt my credit score when I first open it?
Opening any credit card causes a small, temporary dip in your score because the bank does a hard inquiry. But after a few months of on-time payments, your score will rise. The longer you keep the account open and pay on time, the more it helps your score.
Can I use a student credit card to pay for tuition?
Some schools accept credit cards for tuition, but many charge a processing fee (2% to 3%) if you do. Check with your school's bursar office first. For large tuition payments, a student loan or payment plan is usually cheaper than putting it on a credit card.