Bank of America
BankAmericard Credit Card for Students
A student credit card with 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles, no annual fee, and resources to build credit habits.
Annual fee
None
Credit needed
No credit history needed
Quick look
0% Intro APR for Students
21 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers
3.7
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
College students who need to finance a one-time expense (laptop, textbooks, unexpected cost) or consolidate existing debt without a permanent annual fee weight.
The verdict
The BankAmericard for Students does one thing well: it gives you 21 billing cycles of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers with zero annual fee. That's genuinely useful if you're financing a big expense or consolidating debt during college. But this card is purely a financing tool—it earns no rewards, offers no signup bonus beyond the APR, and tops out at earning zero points on every purchase. After those first 21 months, the regular APR jumps to 14.99%-25.99%, so the strategy is to pay down your balance during the promotional window.
For students with little to no credit history, it removes friction to getting a card in the door. The Better Money Habits resources and $0 fraud liability are genuine additions. The catch: despite being branded for students, some reviewers report the card expects a higher credit score than you'd expect for a "student" product.
Pros
- Extended 0% APR for 21 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days
- No annual fee—saves you the $30-95 most rewards cards charge upfront
- No credit history needed—genuine option for students with no prior card use
- Bank of America's mobile banking platform and bill pay features
Cons
- No rewards—every dollar spent earns nothing, making it unsuitable as an everyday card
- Regular APR of 14.99%-25.99% is high once the intro period ends
- 5% balance transfer fee and 3% foreign transaction fee can add up
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
No annual fee puts this card ahead of premium student offerings, though the lack of rewards means you're not paying for perks you'll actually use. The real cost comes from the 3% foreign transaction fee if you study abroad and the 5% fee if you transfer a balance.
Other benefits
- $0 Liability Guarantee against fraudulent transactions
- Access to Better Money Habits financial education resources
- Award-winning Online and Mobile Banking with bill pay and account management
- Balance Connect overdraft protection (optional, links to checking account)
- Paperless statement options
- Digital Wallet support for Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Account Alerts via email or text for payment reminders and balance notifications
- Chip technology for secure in-store transactions
Similar cards
If you want rewards: Capital One Savor for Students offers cash back on dining and entertainment, though with a higher approval bar and $39 annual fee.
Within BoA's student lineup: The Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students offers 1.5% cash back everywhere with no annual fee, sacrificing intro APR but adding ongoing rewards.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need perfect credit to get approved for this card?
No—Bank of America explicitly markets this card to students with no credit history. However, approval odds vary by individual. If you have existing negative marks or no credit file at all, call the issuer to discuss before applying. Your student status and account relationship with BoA (checking or savings) may help.
What happens after the 0% APR period ends?
Your regular APR kicks in at 14.99%-25.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. Any remaining balance on the card will accrue interest at that rate. The strategy: pay as much as you can during the 21-month window so you minimize what carries over.
Is the 0% APR offer worth it if I'm not planning to carry a balance?
Not really. If you pay your statement balance in full every month, you won't use the APR offer and you'll earn zero rewards in the process. In that case, you're better off with a student card that offers even modest cash back (like the Capital One Savor for Students at 1% on dining) or a high-yield no-fee card that earns rewards.
Can I use this card to transfer a balance from another card?
Yes. The 0% APR applies to balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening. However, you'll pay a 5% balance transfer fee on the amount you move. For a $2,000 transfer, that's $100 upfront—still worth it if you save money on interest over 21 months compared to paying 18-20%+ APR on your current card.
How does the 3% foreign transaction fee affect study abroad?
If you study abroad or travel internationally, you'll pay 3% on every purchase made with this card. For a semester abroad charging $10,000 on the card, that's $300 in fees alone. Consider a no-fee international card for trips, or ask BoA if they offer a student travel option.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 10, 2026