BMO · Mastercard · Cash back
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · By The Points Standard editorial team
BMO SPC CashBack Mastercard for Students
Not a rewards play — a credit-building tool with a retail-discount bonus attached. Good for its intended purpose, nothing more.
Standard Score breakdown — Pass
Six weighted components, each rated 0–10. "Contributes" is the rating × weight — add all six and you get the 5.22/10 Standard Score above.
See how the Standard Score works or re-weight it to your priorities.
The numbers
| Annual fee | None |
| Welcome bonus | Free Student Price Card (SPC) membership (normally $9.99/year) for the life of the card |
| Est. bonus value | ≈ $10 |
| First-year net value | ≈ $90 |
Earn rates
| Recurring bill payments | 1% |
| Everything else | 0.5% |
Why it earns its score
- No annual fee and easier approval odds for students with limited credit history
- Bundled SPC membership discounts at 400+ retailers
- Builds a credit history ahead of graduating to a full rewards card
Where it loses points
- Cash-back rates are low even by no-fee standards
- Available only to verified post-secondary students
Who it's for
Students building first-time credit who want a $0 card plus real retail discounts through SPC.
Who should skip it
You're not a student, or you already have an established credit history — a standard no-fee cash-back card earns more.
Included insurance
Source: issuer card page · Last reviewed 2026-07-06. Details change often — confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.