Citi Forward® Card for College Students

The Citi Forward® Card for College Students earns you ThankYou rewards and reduces your APR for Managing your Finances Responsibly.

The Citi Forward® Card for College Students rewards you for smart savings and responsible management of your finances. This card lets you REDUCE your APR when you stay under your credit limit and pay your bills on time, while maintaining an active account.

• Reduce your APR by 2% over time with responsible payments
• Enjoy 0% Introductory APR on purchases
• Earn 1,000 bonus ThankYou® Points just for signing up for paperless statements
• Earn up to 1,200 bonus ThankYou® Points for paying on time
• Earn 5x ThankYou® Points for purchases in spending categories
• Earn 1 ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on other purchases
• No Cosigner required
• No Annual Fee

You'll earn ThankYou® Points on every purchase you make. The Citi ThankYou rewards program is one of the most extensive in the industry. With rewards ranging from travel to cash back to must-have merchandise it puts other rewards programs to shame. 

0% Introductory Rate on Purchases

If you qualify, you'll receive a special introductory APR interest rate as a new cardholder: an introductory 0% APR on purchases for 7 billing cycles after account opening. After this Introductory APR period ends, purchases will be subject to a reasonable APR that varies along with the prime rate. 

Live Smart, Spend Smart, Save Smart

The Citi Forward® Card for College Students lets you reduce your costs as a responsible consumer. You'll accrue ThankYou rewards points for managing your finances on time and save money by reducing your APR over time.
Reduce Your APR by up to 2% - When you keep an active account and continue to manage your credit and finances responsibly, you can reduce your APR by up to 2%. You must make at least one purchase, stay under your credit limit, and pay your minimum monthly payment (or more) on time. Do this 3 months in a row, and your APR will be reduced by .25%! You're eligible to earn up to 8 decreases like this, up to 2% of your purchase APR!
No Annual Fee and No Cosigner Required - With the Citi Forward® Card for College Students, you won't be charged an annual fee as a cardmember. Plus, you won't need a cosigner in order to open an account. Membership is still subject to a credit check when you apply, however.

ThankYou Rewards: Earn more of what you want, when you want it

You can earn plenty of ThankYou® Points on everything you buy using this card. Earn more in special spending categories, and at LEAST 1 point per $1 you spend. As for rewards there are new options every month, from travel to cash back to merchandise.
Earn up to 1,200 Bonus Points - You'll earn 100 bonus points for every month in which you make your minimum monthly payment on time and are not over your credit limit. You can earn up to 1,200 points per year in this manner!
Earn 1,000 Bonus Points - Here's how it works: You'll earn 1,000 bonus ThankYou® Points when you enroll in paperless statement service within 3 months of account opening. 
Earn 1 ThankYou® Point for Every $1 Spent - You will earn 1 ThankYou® Point for every dollar you spend on all other types of purchases. 
Earn 5x ThankYou® Points per $1 - You will earn five ThankYou® Points per every $1 you spend on purchases at stand-alone merchants within specific purchasing categories: 

• Book Stores
• Record Stores
• Restaurants (includes Fast Food)
• Movie Theaters
• Video Rental Stores

Redeeming Your ThankYou Rewards

You can redeem your ThankYou rewards points starting at just 1,000 points. When you reach 10,000 points, you can use the special "Your Wish Fulfilled" service, which lets you customize a rewards package just for you. There are plenty of other options as well:

• Rewards by Category - There are literally dozens of rewards categories in which to find the perfect reward for your lifestyle. Search by number of points required, as well as merchandise category. Books, electronics, computers, home and garden, sporting and outdoor, health and beauty, tools, automotive accessories, and more. 
• Prepaid Visa cards and Gift Cards - Turn your rewards into dining gift cards, eco-friendly gift cards, electronics gift cards, entertainment gift cards, gas gift cards, retail store gift cards, or even Visa prepaid cards good around the globe, wherever Visa is accepted. 
• Travel Rewards - Use your points to hit the road, or walk the path less traveled. The online booking tool allows you to use points for flights, hotel stays, rental cars, vacation packages, and cruises, all without blackout dates or seat restrictions. You can also use your points for Travel Certificates which you can use aboard cruises, in hotels, or for rental cars. Just remember to redeem your points before you go!
• Rewards for Cash - You can turn your ThankYou rewards points into cash and other monetary rewards like statement credits, mortgage payments, student loan rebates, and even donations to your favorite charity.

Not seeing what you want? Use the "Your Wish Fulfilled" feature to talk to a wish specialist who will put together the perfect rewards package for you! You must have 10,000 points saved up, however.

Other Perks and Services

Here are some of the perks and services you'll enjoy as a Citi card holder. For a complete list of what is available to you, consult the information that comes with your card after acceptance. 
Identity Theft Protection - Identity Theft happens. If it happens to you, Citi will help you get your life back on track with advice and assistance. 
$0 Liability for Fraudulent Charges - If your account information is compromised, an investigation will be conducted and you won't be held responsible for fraudulent charges. 
Free Cell Phone Insurance - Lose your phone? You're covered for $250 worth of equipment (with a $50 co-payment).
Online Banking Services - Check your account balance, pay your bill, monitor account activity, and even transfer balances quickly and easily. All online and totally secure.

Final Thoughts and Considerations

There are some terms and conditions (as well as fees) you should be aware of before you submit an application. They are very reasonable, and they're listed within the terms and conditions link at the bottom of this review page.


For college students, there aren't too many card offers out there better than this one. Aside from giving you the protections and services of a premium credit card, you'll also be rewarded for managing your credit correctly. Over time, you can even REDUCE what that line of credit costs you...and redeem great rewards along the way!!