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Best Student Credit Cards in Canada for August 2026

Starter cards for Canadian students building a credit history.

By SCFinance Data Team · edited by SCFinance Editorial TeamUpdated Aug 12, 2026 Fact checkedEditorial integrity

At a glance

Top 6 of 6 eligible · ranked by net value
Credit cardScoreAnnual feeRewards rateIntro offerAction
2026 Student Credit Card
Scotiabank American Express Card for Students card
Scotiabank American Express Card for Students

3.3/5

Best for Student fit and ongoing cost

$01x-3x Scene+ points

Points

N/AApply now
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students card
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students

3.3/5

Best for Student fit and ongoing cost

$01x-2x Scene+ points

Points

N/AApply now
Scotia Momentum Visa Card for Students card
Scotia Momentum Visa Card for Students

3.0/5

Best for Student fit and ongoing cost

$49Up to 2% cash back

Cashback

N/AApply now
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card for Students card
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card for Students

3.2/5

Best for Student fit and ongoing cost

$00.5%-1% cash back

Cashback

N/AApply now
CIBC Dividend VISA Card for Students card
CIBC Dividend VISA Card for Students

3.0/5

Best for Student fit and ongoing cost

First card: No fee Second card: No feeN/AN/AApply now
Scotiabank Value Visa Card for Students card
Scotiabank Value Visa Card for Students

3.2/5

Best for Student fit and ongoing cost

$29N/AN/AApply now
Best CardsCash BackTravelLow InterestNo Annual FeeStudentBalance TransferSecuredShowing top 6 of 6 eligible
2026 Student Credit Card
№ 1 OF 6

Scotiabank American Express Card for Students

american express · Scotiabank
Our pick: student fit and ongoing cost
3.3
SCFinance score
Apply now

on Scotiabank's website

Rates & Fees
$0Annual fee
1x-3x Scene+ pointsPointsRewards rate
21.99%Purchase interest
22.99%Cash advance
2.5%FX fee
N/AMin. income
Our take

For the Toronto everyday spender ($30,000/year, pays in full); spend mix is applied consistently to every card, we estimate $408 in annual rewards before fees and $333 in ongoing net value after quantified costs and benefits.

The downside: Actual value depends on your spending and redemption choices

Read our full review →

Rewards breakdown
  • 3x 1x-3x Scene+ points
Card details
  • 1x-3x Scene+ points
  • Scotiabank issuer annual-fee disclosure: $0
  • Availability: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT
№ 2 OF 6

Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students

visa · Scotiabank
Our pick: student fit and ongoing cost
3.3
SCFinance score
Apply now

on Scotiabank's website

Rates & Fees
$0Annual fee
1x-2x Scene+ pointsPointsRewards rate
21.99%Purchase interest
22.99%Cash advance
2.5%FX fee
N/AMin. income
Our take

For the Toronto everyday spender ($30,000/year, pays in full); spend mix is applied consistently to every card, we estimate $354 in annual rewards before fees and $279 in ongoing net value after quantified costs and benefits.

The downside: Actual value depends on your spending and redemption choices

Read our full review →

Rewards breakdown
  • 2x 1x-2x Scene+ points
Card details
  • 1x-2x Scene+ points
  • Scotiabank issuer annual-fee disclosure: $0
  • Availability: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT
№ 3 OF 6

Scotia Momentum Visa Card for Students

visa · Scotiabank
Our pick: student fit and ongoing cost
3.0
SCFinance score
Apply now

on Scotiabank's website

Rates & Fees
$49Annual fee
Up to 2% cash backCashbackRewards rate
20.99%Purchase interest
22.99%Cash advance
2.5%FX fee
N/AMin. income
Our take

For the Toronto everyday spender ($30,000/year, pays in full); spend mix is applied consistently to every card, we estimate $375 in annual rewards before fees and $251 in ongoing net value after quantified costs and benefits.

The downside: $49 annual fee; actual value depends on your spending and redemption choices

Read our full review →

Rewards breakdown
  • 2% Up to 2% cash back
Card details
  • Up to 2% cash back
  • Scotiabank issuer annual-fee disclosure: $49
  • Availability: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT
№ 4 OF 6

Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card for Students

visa · Scotiabank
Our pick: student fit and ongoing cost
3.2
SCFinance score
Apply now

on Scotiabank's website

Rates & Fees
$0Annual fee
0.5%-1% cash backCashbackRewards rate
20.99%Purchase interest
22.99%Cash advance
2.5%FX fee
N/AMin. income
Our take

For the Toronto everyday spender ($30,000/year, pays in full); spend mix is applied consistently to every card, we estimate $188 in annual rewards before fees and $113 in ongoing net value after quantified costs and benefits.

The downside: Actual value depends on your spending and redemption choices

Read our full review →

Rewards breakdown
  • 1% 0.5%-1% cash back
Card details
  • 0.5%-1% cash back
  • Scotiabank issuer annual-fee disclosure: $0
  • Availability: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT
№ 5 OF 6

CIBC Dividend VISA Card for Students

visa · CIBC
Our pick: student fit and ongoing cost
3.0
SCFinance score
Apply now

on CIBC's website

Rates & Fees
First card: No fee Second card: No feeAnnual fee
N/ARewards rate
21.99%Purchase interest
22.99%Cash advance
2.5%FX fee
N/AMin. income
Our take

For the Toronto everyday spender ($30,000/year, pays in full); spend mix is applied consistently to every card, we estimate $0 in annual rewards before fees and $-75 in ongoing net value after quantified costs and benefits.

The downside: Actual value depends on your spending and redemption choices

Read our full review →

Card details
  • Cash back
  • For more details about rewards and redemption check with CIBC.
  • FCAC annual-fee disclosure: First card: No fee Second card: No fee
  • Availability: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, SK, YT
№ 6 OF 6

Scotiabank Value Visa Card for Students

visa · Scotiabank
Our pick: student fit and ongoing cost
3.2
SCFinance score
Apply now

on Scotiabank's website

Rates & Fees
$29Annual fee
N/ARewards rate
13.99%Purchase interest
13.99%Cash advance
2.5%FX fee
N/AMin. income
Our take

For the Toronto everyday spender ($30,000/year, pays in full); spend mix is applied consistently to every card, we estimate $0 in annual rewards before fees and $-104 in ongoing net value after quantified costs and benefits.

The downside: $29 annual fee; actual value depends on your spending and redemption choices

Read our full review →

Card details
  • Scotiabank issuer annual-fee disclosure: $29
  • Availability: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT

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Complete eligible catalogue

Browse all 6 student cards

The best-card list above is the ranked shortlist. This table keeps every eligible card visible and uses the same $30,000 Toronto spending profile, point valuations, fees and data-confidence checks.

Browse the full Canadian catalogue
1Scotiabank American Express Card for StudentsScotiabank · Scene+Estimated return: 1.36%Net annual value: $333Annual fee: $03.32Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for StudentsScotiabank · Scene+Estimated return: 1.18%Net annual value: $279Annual fee: $03.33Scotia Momentum Visa Card for StudentsScotiabank · Cash backEstimated return: 1.25%Net annual value: $251Annual fee: $493.04Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card for StudentsScotiabank · Cash backEstimated return: 0.63%Net annual value: $113Annual fee: $03.25CIBC Dividend VISA Card for StudentsCIBC · Cash backEstimated return: 0.00%Net annual value: -$75Annual fee: $03.06Scotiabank Value Visa Card for StudentsScotiabank · No rewardsEstimated return: 0.00%Net annual value: -$104Annual fee: $293.2

Estimated value is not a guarantee. It excludes welcome offers until the offer value, spend requirement and expiry are structured, and it does not assign cash value to unquantified insurance.

How we chose these cards

Every card takes the same test with the same data. A score helps you compare. It does not predict approval.

Read our complete credit card methodology

Frequently asked questions

How does SCFinance compare Canadian credit cards?

We synchronize institution-supplied product facts from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, validate the records, and compare fees, rates, rewards, benefits and provincial availability. Always confirm the issuer disclosure before applying.

Does checking this page affect my credit score?

No. Browsing and comparing cards does not affect your credit score. Submitting an application to an issuer may result in a credit check.