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Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students Review
September 27, 2026
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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Is the Bank of America Customized Cash Card for Students Worth It?
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is a strong first card for students who spend most in one area, such as dining, gas or online shopping. You pick a category that earns 3% cash back (6% in the first year), earn 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and pay no annual fee.
The catch is a $2,500 quarterly cap on the boosted categories combined. If you would rather not track categories, a flat-rate student card is simpler.
How the Customized Cash Rewards for Students Card Earns
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice, raised to 6% in the first year through a 3% first-year bonus
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
The 3% (or 6%) and 2% rates apply to the first $2,500 in combined choice category, grocery store and wholesale club purchases each quarter. After that, those purchases earn 1%.
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Which Categories Can You Choose?
Your choice category can be gas and EV charging stations, online shopping (including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming), dining, travel, drug stores and pharmacies, or home improvement and furnishings. You can change it once each calendar month in Online Banking or the Mobile Banking app.
If your whole $2,500 quarterly allowance went to your choice category, you would earn $150 a quarter at the first-year 6% rate and $75 a quarter at 3% after that.
Calculation formulated by Kudos, based on $2,500 in quarterly choice category purchases multiplied by the 6% first-year rate and the 3% standard rate.
Does BofA Rewards Boost the Cash Back?
Yes, for eligible cards. Bank of America's BofA Rewards™ program adds a credit card rewards bonus of 10% at the Member tier, 25% at Preferred Plus ($30,000 in qualifying balances), 50% at Preferred Honors ($100,000) and 75% at Premier ($1,000,000).
Bank of America says the bonus isn't applied to this card's first-year cash back bonus. Our guide to BofA Rewards vs. Preferred Rewards explains the 2026 changes.
Welcome Offer, APR and Fees
- Welcome offer: a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Intro APR: 0% intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days, after that a variable APR, currently 17.74% to 27.74%.
- Balance transfer fee: 3% for the first 60 days your account is open, then 5%.
- Annual fee: none.
Bank of America advertises its Travel Rewards card for Students as having no foreign transaction fees but does not make that claim for this card. Check the pricing terms before using it abroad.
Customized Cash Rewards for Students Pros and Cons
Pros
- Choose your 3% category and change it monthly
- 6% in your choice category for the first year
- 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- No annual fee and a 15-billing-cycle intro APR on purchases
- Extra cash back for BofA Rewards members
Cons
- $2,500 combined quarterly cap on the 3% (or 6%) and 2% categories
- Only 1% on purchases outside your categories
- Not advertised as free of foreign transaction fees
- Choosing and updating a category takes some attention
Who Is the Customized Cash Rewards for Students Card For?
This card fits students who already know where most of their money goes. It works well if you:
- Spend regularly in one category, such as dining near campus, gas or online shopping
- Buy groceries at supermarkets or wholesale clubs
- Bank with Bank of America and qualify for a BofA Rewards bonus
- Want a no-annual-fee card to start building credit
If you travel abroad or want simple flat-rate travel rewards, Bank of America's Travel Rewards card for Students may suit you better. For more first-card tips, see our guide on how to build credit as a student.
Customized Cash for Students vs. Other Student Cards
Two no-annual-fee student cards from Capital One are worth comparing, depending on whether you prefer bonus categories or a flat rate.
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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (Rates & Fees) earns unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on other purchases. There is no quarterly cap, no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and new cardholders can earn a one-time $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Read our Savor Student review.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (Rates & Fees) earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It offers the same $50 bonus after $100 in purchases within 3 months. See our Quicksilver Student review.
How Kudos Helps You Use a Category Card
A card with a chosen 3% category, a 2% grocery rate and a quarterly cap is easy to misuse at checkout. The free Kudos browser extension recommends the best card from your wallet when you shop online and keeps all your card rewards in one place.
Kudos also offers approval odds and a Card Explorer, so you can check which student cards you are likely to qualify for before you apply. Students who want more can upgrade to Kudos Premium, which auto-activates card-linked offers from Bank of America and other major issuers and tracks your subscriptions.
Customized Cash Rewards for Students FAQ
What credit score do you need for the Customized Cash Rewards card for Students?
Bank of America doesn't publish a minimum credit score. Student cards are designed for people who are new to credit, but approval still depends on your income and any credit history you have.
Can you change your 3% category?
Yes. You can change your choice category once each calendar month in Online Banking or the Mobile Banking app. If you make no change, it stays the same.
What happens to the 6% rate after the first year?
The 6% rate includes a 3% first-year bonus. After the first year, your choice category earns 3%, still on the first $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases with the 2% grocery and wholesale club category.
Does the card have an annual fee?
No. The Customized Cash Rewards card for Students has no annual fee.
How is it different from the regular Customized Cash card?
The earning structure is the same. The student version is marketed to college students who are building credit. Our Customized Cash Rewards review covers the standard card.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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