BMO® CashBack Mastercard®
4.3·No-fee grocery cash back — a great first or student card
- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- ~$125
- Top reward
- 3% groceries
- Strong no-fee grocery rate
- Easy approval, good for students
Best Student Credit Cards in Canada
Updated June 2026 · Independently rated by the CreditCardGuru editorial team
The best student credit cards in Canada have no annual fee, easy approval for limited credit histories, and rewards on everyday student spending like groceries and dining. They're a smart way to start building credit responsibly.
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Scotiabank® Scene+® Visa® Card
4.0·No-fee Scene+ points — a solid first or student card
- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- ~$50
- Top reward
- 2x groceries (sobeys group)
- No-fee Scene+ earning
- Good for groceries and movies
RBC® ION+® Visa®
4.0·Everyday spenders and students who want high multipliers on groceries, gas, dining and streaming at a minimal fee.
- Annual fee
- $48/yr
- Welcome bonus
- ~$100
- Top reward
- 3x groceries
- 3x earn across most everyday spending categories for only $4/month
- Effectively free for students and young adults
CIBC® Dividend® Visa® Card for Students
3.7·Students who want simple cash back and credit-building with no fee.
- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- ~$125
- Top reward
- 2% groceries
- Real cash back welcome bonus on a student card
- SPC+ membership included free
RBC® ION® Visa®
3.6·Students and budget-conscious spenders who want everyday rewards without an annual fee.
- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- ~$50
- Top reward
- 1.5x groceries
- Solid no-fee earn rates on everyday essentials
- Good starter card for students and credit builders
CIBC® Aventura® Visa® Card for Students
3.5·Post-secondary students building credit who want a first travel-rewards card.
- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- ~$125
- Top reward
- 1x gas & ev charging
- No income requirement makes approval accessible for students
- Free SPC+ membership adds real student value
RBC® Cash Back Mastercard®
3.4·No-fee seekers and students who put most of their spending on groceries.
- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- ~$70
- Top reward
- 2% grocery store purchases
- Strong no-fee grocery earn rate
- Flexible on-demand cash back redemption
Student credit cards: FAQ
What is the best student credit card in Canada?
For no-fee cash back, the BMO CashBack Mastercard earns 3% on groceries and is easy to qualify for. The Scotiabank Scene+ Visa is another strong no-fee pick that earns Scene+ points on groceries and entertainment. Both make good first cards for building credit.
Can students get a credit card in Canada?
Yes. Most student credit cards have no minimum income requirement and are designed for limited credit histories. You'll generally need to be the age of majority in your province and a Canadian resident; some issuers ask for proof of enrolment.
Do student credit cards help build credit?
Yes — using a card responsibly and paying the balance in full each month is one of the simplest ways to build a credit history. Student cards report to the credit bureaus, so on-time payments steadily improve your score.
Want to see how these stack up against every other card? Compare all credit cards or read how we rate cards.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Card terms and offers change and may be out of date — always verify with the issuer before applying, and consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. CreditCardGuru may earn a commission from cards featured on this site; this never influences our editorial ratings. See our advertiser disclosure.
Written by
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CreditCardGuru Editorial Team
Rewards & Cards Research
Our editorial team independently researches and rates every credit card in Canada using a transparent, data-driven methodology. We update card terms continuously and never let issuer relationships influence our ratings.
- 200+ Canadian cards tracked
- Transparent rating methodology
- Updated continuously
Cite this page
“Best Student Credit Cards in Canada” — CreditCardGuru, https://creditcardguru.ca/best/student.