Best Student Credit Cards in Canada This September 2025
Choosing the right credit card can significantly impact your financial well-being and rewards potential. With numerous options available to Canadians this September, from cash back to travel rewards and low interest rates, understanding the top choices helps you maximize benefits while matching your spending habits and lifestyle needs.
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Summary Table for Best Student Credit Cards in Canada This September 2025
| Card | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Best For | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students Cash Back |
$0 | 5% cash back for first 3 months (up to $125) | Cash Back | Apply |
|
CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students Travel Rewards |
$0 | Up to 12,500 Aventura Points | Travel Rewards | Apply |
|
Neo Mastercard Cash Back |
$0 | $25 cash bonus | Cash Back | Apply |
|
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card Cash Back |
$0 | 10% cash back for first 2 months (up to $100) | Cash Back | Apply |
|
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Travel Rewards |
$120 (first year waived) | Up to 50,000 Scene+ points (up to $1,050 in value) | Travel Rewards | Apply |
|
President's Choice Financial World Elite Mastercard Travel Rewards |
$0 | 300,000 PC Optimum points after spending $3,000 in 4 months | Travel Rewards | Apply |
|
Home Trust Secured Visa Card Students |
$0 or $59 | None | Students | Apply |
1. BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students
The BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students offers a compelling no-annual-fee option with strong cash back rewards on everyday essentials, making it the top student credit card choice for 2025 according to multiple sources.
BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students
- No annual fee
- Build credit history while earning rewards
- Purchase protection included
- Extended warranty coverage
- 5% cash back welcome bonus for first 3 months
- 3% ongoing cash back on groceries
- 1% cash back on recurring bills
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Strong cash back on groceries
- Good purchase protection
- Helps build credit history
Cons
- High interest rate (21.99%)
- Lower base earn rate (0.5%)
- Must be a student to qualify
Why is it Our Top Pick?
Selected as the best student credit card for 2025, this card combines no annual fees with strong returns on everyday essentials from grocery stores and supermarkets, providing students a simple and valuable way to earn rewards while building credit history.
Rewards
- 5% cash back welcome bonus for first 3 months
- 3% ongoing cash back on groceries
- 1% cash back on recurring bills
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Strong cash back on groceries
- Good purchase protection
- Helps build credit history
Cons
- High interest rate (21.99%)
- Lower base earn rate (0.5%)
- Must be a student to qualify
Key Features
- No annual fee
- Build credit history while earning rewards
- Purchase protection included
- Extended warranty coverage
2. CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students
The CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students combines travel rewards with student-friendly features, offering flexible point earning and redemption options with comprehensive insurance coverage at no annual fee.
CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students
- No annual fee
- Complimentary insurance coverage
- Concierge service access
- $0 transfer fee for international money transfers
- Up to 12,500 Aventura Points welcome bonus
- Double points on travel purchases
- 1 point per dollar on regular purchases
- Flexible rewards redemption
Pros
- No annual fee
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Concierge service included
- International money transfer benefits
Cons
- Higher interest rates
- Limited point earning categories
- Lower point earning rate compared to premium cards
Rewards
- Up to 12,500 Aventura Points welcome bonus
- Double points on travel purchases
- 1 point per dollar on regular purchases
- Flexible rewards redemption
Pros
- No annual fee
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Concierge service included
- International money transfer benefits
Cons
- Higher interest rates
- Limited point earning categories
- Lower point earning rate compared to premium cards
Key Features
- No annual fee
- Complimentary insurance coverage
- Concierge service access
- $0 transfer fee for international money transfers
3. Neo Mastercard
The Neo Mastercard offers flexible cash back rewards with no annual fee, allowing cardholders to earn up to 15% instant cash back at over 10,000 partner locations and competitive rates on everyday purchases like groceries and gas.
Neo Mastercard
- Issued by Peoples Bank of Canada
- Accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted
- Digital-first banking experience
- No minimum credit score requirement
- Partner rewards up to 15% cash back
- 2-4% on groceries and gas purchases
- 1% base rate on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Instant digital card access
- High partner reward rates
- Flexible approval requirements
Cons
- Highest rewards require $10,000 Neo Everyday account balance
- Monthly spending caps on cash-back categories
- Variable interest rates can be high
- Partner-dependent reward structure
Rewards
- Partner rewards up to 15% cash back
- 2-4% on groceries and gas purchases
- 1% base rate on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Instant digital card access
- High partner reward rates
- Flexible approval requirements
Cons
- Highest rewards require $10,000 Neo Everyday account balance
- Monthly spending caps on cash-back categories
- Variable interest rates can be high
- Partner-dependent reward structure
Key Features
- Issued by Peoples Bank of Canada
- Accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted
- Digital-first banking experience
- No minimum credit score requirement
4. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card offers a no-fee solution with customizable cash back categories, allowing cardholders to earn 2% back in up to three categories of their choice while enjoying a generous welcome bonus.
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
- Customizable reward categories
- No annual fee
- $12,000 minimum income requirement
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
- 10% welcome bonus up to $100 in first 2 months
- 2% cash back in chosen categories
- 0.50% base rate on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Customizable reward categories
- Automatic reward redemption
- Purchase protection included
Cons
- Lower base earn rate (0.50%)
- Minimum income requirement
- Limited time welcome bonus
- Higher interest rates
Rewards
- 10% welcome bonus up to $100 in first 2 months
- 2% cash back in chosen categories
- 0.50% base rate on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Customizable reward categories
- Automatic reward redemption
- Purchase protection included
Cons
- Lower base earn rate (0.50%)
- Minimum income requirement
- Limited time welcome bonus
- Higher interest rates
5. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
A premium travel rewards card offering up to 6x Scene+ points on everyday purchases and no foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers and those who want to maximize rewards on dining and groceries.
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
- Scene+ rewards program membership
- Mobile device insurance
- American Express Front Of The Line® access
- Up to 6x Scene+ points on eligible purchases
- Points can be redeemed for travel, groceries, dining
- Special welcome bonus of up to 50,000 points
Pros
- Strong earn rate on everyday purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options
- First-year annual fee waiver
Cons
- High annual fee after first year
- Requires good credit score (660+)
- Limited acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard
Rewards
- Up to 6x Scene+ points on eligible purchases
- Points can be redeemed for travel, groceries, dining
- Special welcome bonus of up to 50,000 points
Pros
- Strong earn rate on everyday purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options
- First-year annual fee waiver
Cons
- High annual fee after first year
- Requires good credit score (660+)
- Limited acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard
6. President's Choice Financial World Elite Mastercard
As Canada's first no annual fee World Elite Mastercard, this card offers exceptional value for PC Optimum points collectors who frequently shop at Loblaw banner stores, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Esso/Mobil stations.
President's Choice Financial World Elite Mastercard
- No annual fee
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- World Elite concierge service
- PC Optimum points program integration
- Enhanced earn rates at PC affiliated stores
- Points redeemable for groceries and merchandise
- Bonus points offers at Shoppers Drug Mart
Pros
- No annual fee
- Strong earning potential at PC stores
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- Wide acceptance as Mastercard
Cons
- High income requirement ($80,000)
- Limited value if not shopping at PC stores
- Higher interest rates if payments missed (26.99%)
Rewards
- Enhanced earn rates at PC affiliated stores
- Points redeemable for groceries and merchandise
- Bonus points offers at Shoppers Drug Mart
Pros
- No annual fee
- Strong earning potential at PC stores
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- Wide acceptance as Mastercard
Cons
- High income requirement ($80,000)
- Limited value if not shopping at PC stores
- Higher interest rates if payments missed (26.99%)
7. Home Trust Secured Visa Card
The Home Trust Secured Visa Card is designed specifically for individuals with non-traditional credit histories, including self-employed individuals, students, and newcomers to Canada, offering a path to build credit through secured borrowing with flexible fee options.
Home Trust Secured Visa Card
- Security deposit required: $500 to $10,000
- Credit limit equals security deposit amount
- Monthly reporting to credit bureaus
- Zero liability protection
- No rewards program on secured card
- Purchase security protection
- Option for lower interest rate with annual fee
- Monthly credit reporting
Pros
- Two fee options to choose from
- Security deposit from $500 to $10,000
- Helps build credit history
- Available for those with non-traditional credit history
Cons
- Requires security deposit
- No rewards program
- Higher interest rate with no-fee option
- Limited card features compared to unsecured cards
Rewards
- No rewards program on secured card
- Purchase security protection
- Option for lower interest rate with annual fee
- Monthly credit reporting
Pros
- Two fee options to choose from
- Security deposit from $500 to $10,000
- Helps build credit history
- Available for those with non-traditional credit history
Cons
- Requires security deposit
- No rewards program
- Higher interest rate with no-fee option
- Limited card features compared to unsecured cards
Final Words
Selecting the ideal financial product ultimately depends on your individual goals, spending patterns, and financial situation. We recommend comparing the features and benefits of our top picks, then taking action to optimize your financial strategy for the current market conditions.
