95,000 Points
Worth $950
After you spend $1,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.
- 3%Sonesta
- 2%Airline
- 2%Dining
Annual Fee
$75
Rec. Credit
Good
Built for students who want a straightforward cash-back card while they build credit, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students works best as an everyday spending card with a little extra upside for common budget categories. Its $0 annual fee and simple cash-back structure make it easier to keep long term, which matters when you're just getting started.

All information about Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students has been collected independently by MaxRewards. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students is no longer available through MaxRewards.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are MaxRewards' alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Overview
Everyday student spending
No annual fee credit building
Starter cash back
Yes, this card is worth a look for students who want to start building credit without paying an annual fee and still earn meaningful cash back along the way. The appeal here is simple: you get a solid welcome bonus for a student card, ongoing rewards on everyday purchases, and a card you can keep open as your credit history grows.
The tradeoff is that this is still a starter card, not a premium long-term rewards play. It does not come with notable travel or protection perks, and the APR is high enough that carrying a balance would quickly wipe out the value of the rewards. If you plan to pay in full each month and want a low-pressure first card from a major issuer, it fits well. If your main goal is richer perks or a stronger flat-rate return on all spending, you will likely outgrow it over time.

This card makes the most sense for students who want a no-annual-fee way to build credit and earn cash back on regular spending. Its main limitation is that the value comes almost entirely from rewards, not from extra card benefits.
Welcome Offer
after you spend $1,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.
Est. Value
$200
Required Spend
$1,000
Time Frame
3 Months
Est. Value
$200
Required Spend
$1,000
Time Frame
3 Months
Earning
This card earns cash back, so the key question is whether its bonus categories line up with how you already spend. For a student budget, that can make it more useful than a plain 1% card, especially if most purchases fall into everyday spending buckets.
Choice
Jul 1 – Sep 30 · Up to $2,500 in spend
Grocery
Jul 1 – Sep 30 · Up to $2,500 in spend
Everywhere
Eligibility
Poor credit or higher is recommended for this card.
Credit approval is not guaranteed. Meeting the recommended credit range does not ensure approval, and applicants with lower scores may still be considered.
Pricing
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
17.49% - 27.49%
Variable
Transfer APR
17.49% - 27.49%
Variable
Cash Advance APR
29.24%
Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are MaxRewards' alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Recognition
95,000 Points
Worth $950
After you spend $1,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.
Annual Fee
$75
Rec. Credit
Good
80,000 Points
Worth $800
After you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.
Annual Fee
$95
Rec. Credit
Excellent
75,000 Points
Worth $750
After you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.
Annual Fee
$550
Rec. Credit
Good