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Georgia Rose
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Alongside its standard credit cards, Scotiabank offers cards specifically designed for students. Depending on the card, students can earn Scene+ points or cash back on eligible purchases. Student cards offered by Scotiabank typically have no annual fees.
Best Scotiabank student credit cards in Canada
Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card for Students
The Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card for Students is a great no-fee starter-card for students who want to earn rewards for movies, meals and entertainment.
Pros
- Use your Scene+ points for travel, shopping, dining and more.
- Intro offer is equal to a free General Admission or 3D movie ticket in a regular auditorium.
Cons
- Cinema-lovers will get the most from this card. If you don’t enjoy going to movies, or are nervous about frequenting the theatre during COVID-19, this card won’t be worthwhile.
- Earn up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months¹
- No annual fee in the first year, including on supplementary cards¹
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, participating Co-ops, Freshco and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on Home Hardware, Home Building Center, Home Furniture locations in Canada and online at homehardware.ca
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres or online at cineplex.com
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Mar 1, 2024. Subject to change.
- To be eligible, you must be a resident of Canada and the age of majority in the province or territory where you live. Credit history is not required and international students can apply.
Scotiabank L’earn® Visa* Card
With no annual fee and the opportunity to earn up to 1% cash back on daily purchases, the L’earn Visa Card is a no-frills way to cover expenses and save a little money while working toward a degree or diploma.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- A Moneyback reward that reduces your credit card balance once a year.
Cons
- You have to spend more to unlock the highest Moneyback earn rates.
- No option to apply online.
- No annual fee.
- No charge for supplementary cards.
- Interest rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card Cheques.
- Moneyback reward details: Earn 0.25% on the first $500 you spend, 0.5% on the next $500 and 1% on any amount over that.
- Moneyback rewards are paid out once a year as a statement credit.
- Can be used with Visa payWave, My Mobile Wallet, Apple Pay and Google Pay for quicker in-person and online shopping.
- Save up to 20% on car rentals at participating AVIS locations worldwide.
How Scotiabank student credit cards work
The Bank of Nova Scotia, commonly known as Scotiabank, is one of Canada’s Big Six banks.
Scotiabank’s credit cards for students are both Visa cards that can be used for purchases, building credit and earning rewards.
Types of Scotiabank student credit cards
Student credit cards often charge small or no annual fees and offer university and college students a chance to earn rewards while covering their daily expenses. Scotiabank’s modest selection of credit cards geared towards students fall into two categories:
- Scene+ rewards cards. Rewards credit cards typically generate points to be used with a bank’s own loyalty program. In Scotiabank’s case, students can earn Scene+ points that can be redeemed for a variety of merchandise, including travel purchases.
- Cash-back cards. Cash-back credit cards earn cardholders a percentage of the amount spent on eligible purchases. You can usually identify a Scotiabank cash-back card if it has “Momentum” in its name, but its cash-back option for students is the L’earn Visa Card.
Of course, students may also be eligible for other Scotiabank credit cards, but that may require meeting minimum income and credit score requirements.
Common features of Scotiabank student credit cards
Brand affiliations
All of Scotiabank’s student credit cards are Visas.
Average interest rates
Scotiabank’s student credit cards both offer interest rates of 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
No annual fees
Neither of Scotiabank’s credit cards for students charges an annual fee.
Modest credit limits
Both of Scotiabank’s student credit cards come with a minimum credit limit of $500. Having a smaller credit limit when you’re just starting out as a credit card customer can keep you from overspending and racking up unnecessary interest charges.
Additional perks
Student credit cards aren’t usually known for their perks, but there are some common to both of Scotiabank’s student credit cards. They can be added to digital wallets for quicker check-out experiences and offer discounts on car rentals.
Opportunities to earn rewards
Scotiabank’s student credit cards earn two types of rewards: Scene+ points, which can be redeemed for a variety of products and experiences, and cash back.
The Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card for Students can help you earn 2 Scene+ points for every dollar spent at participating grocery stores, and at either Cineplex Odeon theatres or the Cineplex website. You’ll earn one Scene+ point for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, movies, dining experiences and merchandise.
The Scotiabank L’earn® Visa* Card offers a Moneyback reward of up to 1%, which is paid out as a statement credit once a year. You’ll earn 0.25% cash back on the first $500 you spend, 0.5% on the next $500 and 1% on any amount over that.
Scene+ rewards program
Scene+ is Scotiabank’s proprietary rewards program, which it operates with movie theatre chain Cineplex Odeon. While Scene+ points can be collected and redeemed at Cineplex theatres, that’s only part of the program.
Scene+ points can also be earned at a variety of grocery stores and their associated pharmacies, including large national chains like Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland and FreshCo; and at restaurants like Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet and Montana’s. Rewards can also be earned by booking travel through Scene+ Travel and making online purchases with Scene+ Rakuten.
Scene+ points can be redeemed for merchandise, travel purchases, entertainment experiences and account credits.
» MORE: How to apply for a credit card
How to choose the best Scotiabank student credit card for you
When choosing any credit card, one of the first things to watch out for are eligibility requirements you may not be able to satisfy, including those related to age, location, educational status and your personal credit score.
You’ll also want to compare cards based on their:
- Annual fees. Many student credit cards don’t charge an annual fee, but some do. If you apply for a different kind of credit card, you’ll want to ensure that the card’s benefits justify the annual fee.
- Interest rate. If you generally keep a balance on your card from month to month, it’s worth looking for a card with a lower interest rate.
- Rewards structure. If rewards are a priority when applying for a credit card, you’ll typically have to choose between collecting points or earning cash back. Opting for the rewards most relevant to your needs will help you save more money.
Who should consider a Scotiabank student credit card?
Scotiabank’s student credit cards should meet the needs of post-secondary students interested in a convenient, no-frills payment option that can help them build their credit. If you’re already a Scotiabank personal banking customer, applying for a card should be relatively easy.
Because some Scotiabank rewards are paid out in Scene+ points, so they’ll be most valuable to students who regularly shop at Scene+ partners.
How to get a Scotiabank student credit card
Scotiabank doesn’t allow online applications for its student credit cards. To apply for one, you can either visit your local Scotiabank branch or call 1-800-747-3208.
Frequently asked questions about Scotiabank student credit cards
We like the points-earning potential and no annual fee offered by the Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card for Students, but the best card for you will be the card with an interest rate, fees and rewards that fit your needs and spending habits.
Yes, the Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card for Students is available for qualified international students participating in the Scotiabank StartRight™ Program.
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