Bank of America
BankAmericard Credit Card for Students
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | No signup bonus available. |
| Rewards Rate | No rewards program available. |
| Intro APR | Introductory 0% APR for your first 21 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 14.99% to 25.99% will apply. |
| Regular APR | Standard APR 14.99% - 25.99% variable |
| Other Fees | Balance Transfer Fee 5% of each transaction |
About this card
The BankAmericard Credit Card for Students earns an 'Excellent' overall rating of 4.1 out of 5.0. This card is a highly specialized tool that excels exceptionally well in its core value proposition for students, primarily due to its outstanding introductory APR offer and $0 annual fee. It is specifically designed to help students build credit responsibly and manage finances without the immediate burden of interest. Its **stellar 4.5/5.0 APR rating** is a significant driver of the overall score. The 21-billing-cycle 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers is one of the longest and most competitive offers available in the student card market. This feature provides immense value, allowing students nearly two years to pay off large expenses or consolidate debt interest-free, which is crucial for those new to credit management. Coupled with a **strong 4.0/5.0 Fees rating** due to its $0 annual fee, the card becomes a very attractive and affordable option for its target demographic. However, the card's most notable weakness, which heavily impacts its overall score, is its **0/5.0 Rewards rating**. It offers no rewards program whatsoever, meaning students will not earn cash back, points, or miles on their spending. This is a significant drawback for students who prioritize earning rewards. Additionally, while the $0 annual fee is excellent, the card does have a high 5% balance transfer fee and reportedly charges foreign transaction fees, which can be a concern for students traveling internationally. The regular APR can also be high after the introductory period. Despite the complete absence of a rewards program, the card's strengths are incredibly potent for its intended audience. Its focus on interest-free financing and credit building, supported by Bank of America's strong reputation and financial literacy tools, makes it an excellent choice for students whose primary goal is to establish credit or manage debt effectively without incurring interest. For these students, the exceptional introductory APR and no annual fee often outweigh the lack of rewards. However, for students seeking to maximize rewards on everyday spending, this card would not be suitable.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Long intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
- Financial management tools and mobile banking access
- Financial education resources
- Overdraft protection feature
Things to consider
- High regular APR
- No sign-up bonus
- No rewards
- High balance transfer fee
What this card offers
Other features
- Your card comes with our $0 Liability Guarantee and chip technology for additional security when used at chip-enabled terminals
- Easily manage your bank accounts and finances online with Online Banking and our award winning Mobile Banking app that help students stay in control of their finances and make payments
- Learning to handle your credit is a big responsibility. A little knowledge can go a long way with Better Money Habits
- Manage your money from almost anywhere. From home, the library and everywhere else, help stay in control of your finances with our award winning Mobile Banking app
- Want to talk to someone one-on-one? No problem. We're here with you every step of the way. Set up an appointment at a time and place that works for you.
- We block potential fraud if abnormal patterns are detected and let you know if we suspect fraudulent activity. Plus, you always get a $0 Liability Guarantee for fraudulent transactions. Learn more at the Security Center
- Balance Connect for overdraft protection: An optional service to help prevent declined purchases, returned checks or other overdrafts when you link your eligible Bank of America checking account to your credit card. No transfer fees. Other fees may apply.
- Paperless Statement Option: Opt for paperless credit card statements and increase account security while reducing paper consumption.
- Digital Wallet Technology: Discover more ways to pay by adding your Bank of America credit card to your mobile device then shop in-store or in-app using Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
- Online & Mobile Banking: Access to our award-winning Online and Mobile Banking. Bank on the go from almost anywhere quickly and securely. Pay your credit card bill online, transfer funds, check available credit and more.
- Account Alerts: Stay on top of your balances and due dates. Choose from several types of customer email or text alerts and let your phone tell you when payments are due and paid.
Additional Notes
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page, if you visit a Bank of America financial center or call the bank. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now. Note: minimum payments are applied to lower-interest balances first. Additional payments are applied to higher-interest balances first.