By : 
Mr Credit Card
Mr Credit CardQuick Introduction
As most of you would know, establishing a credit history in the US is very important because it enables you to get auto loans, rent an apartment, get a credit card. However, to build a credit history, you would need at least a social security number. Most people who just got into the US do not have a social security number. SelfScore gets around that by not requiring any SSN to approve. Instead, they require a different set of information.
How Does This Card work
Card Details
APR: 19.74%*(v)
Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
Rewards: No Reward Program
Requirements: US Bank Account, Passport, I-20, Student Visa
Initial Limit: Up to $1,500.
Peer Comparison
| Card |
Annual Fee APR FX Fee Rewards Rewards Score Monitoring |
| SelfScore Classic |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 19.74% FX Fee = 0% Rewards = N.A. Score Monitoring = N.A. |
| SelfScore Achieve |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 19.74% FX Fee = 0% Rewards = 1% Cash Back Score Monitoring = N.A. |
| Capital One Journey |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 20.74% FX Fee = 0% Rewards = 1.25% Cash Back Score Monitoring = Vantage 3.0 TU |
| Discover it Student |
Annual Fee$0 APR = 13.74% - 22.74% FX Fee = 0% Rewards = 5% rotating categories 1% everything else Score Monitoring = FICO TU |
| Discover Chrome Student |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 13.74% - 22.74% FX Fee = 0% Rewards = 2% gas and dining 1% everything else Score Monitoring = FICO TU |
| Citi ThankYou Preferred Student |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 14.74% - 24.74% FX Fee = 3% Rewards = 2X dining out and entertainment 1X everything else Score Monitoring = N.A. |
| Wells Fargo Cash Back College |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 11.9% - 21.9% FX Fee = 3% Rewards = 1% cash back Score Monitoring = Bankcard Score 2 - Experian |
| BankAmericard Student |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 12.74% - 22.74% FX Fee = 3% Rewards = N.A. Score Monitoring = FICO TU |
| BankAmericard Cash Rewards Student |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 13.74% - 23.74% FX Fee = 3% Rewards = 3% on gas and 2% on grocery & wholesale club for first $2500 in these spending a quarter 1% on everything else Score Monitoring = FICO TU |
| BankAmericard Travel Rewards Student |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 15.74% - 23.74% FX Fee = 0% Rewards = 1.5X Score Monitoring - FICO TU |
| State Farm Student Visa |
Annual Fee = $0 APR = 12.24% - 19.24% FX Fee = 3% Rewards = 1X for every $2 3X for State Farm Insurance Payments (up to $4000 a year) Score Monitoring - N.A. |
It is really hard to compare this card with other student credit cards because this one is specifically targeted at international students who do not have a credit history in the US and most likely have not gotten a social security number.
SelfScore has a higher level card called the Achieve. It has a cash back program where you get 1% cash back on all purchases and you may also get a higher credit limit (up to $5,000 vs $1,500 for this card). However, the comparison is irrelevant because after 6 months of paying on time, you will be eligible to get upgraded to the Achieve card anyway.
The other card that is known to approved folks with no SSN is the Citi ThankYou Preferred for College Students. You need to open a bank account with citi and apply for your card at the branch. You will need the same documents as when applying for this card. The Citi ThankYou has a points base reward program and in this aspect is better than this card. However, they do charge a foreign transaction fee or it would not be the ideal card to carry when you go back home on a vacation or take a semester abroad.
Pros and Cons
- No SSN required
- No Annual Fee
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- No Security Deposit
- Eligible for upgrade to Achieve card (with cash back program)
Cons
- No reward program