Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students)

Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students)

Reviewed by Jen, founder of MoneyMint · Updated October 1, 2026

Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students)
Scotiabank®No-Fee Cash Back

Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card (for students)

Our take: a no-fee first credit card for students — about 1% back on groceries and gas (est.), with a $500 minimum credit limit.

#4 Students

Welcome offer5% cash back for 3 months (up to $100) + 0.99% intro balance-transfer rate, for accounts opened by Nov 1, 2026*
Apply on Scotiabank’s site →

  • Apply on Scotiabank’s site
  • Our review

The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students) is the student version of Scotiabank’s no-annual-fee cash back Visa. It earns 1% back on groceries, gas and EV charging, transit and rideshare, food delivery, drugstores and recurring bills (up to $15,000 a year combined) and 0.5% on everything else, with a $500 minimum credit limit. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply online, and international students can apply in person at a branch, which makes it one of the more accessible first credit cards from a big bank. The trade-off is modest rewards: it is built for building credit, not for maximizing cash back.

2.8out of 5

MoneyMint rating

#30 of 34 no-fee rewards cards · How we rate

Rewards value
1/10
Insurance
0/10
Flexibility
10/10
Welcome bonus
1/10
Fee value
10/10
Perks
0/10

≈ $241

estimated first-year value after the annual fee, on a typical $2,050/month budget. See it for your spending →

At a Glance

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

1% on everyday categoriesup to $15,000/yr combined spend; 0.5% elsewhere

Welcome Bonus

5% cash back for 3 months*up to $100, plus 0.99% intro balance-transfer rate for 9 months; open by Nov 1, 2026

Rewards

~1%on groceries (est. value)

Foreign Transaction Fee

~2.5% (est.)not explicitly restated on this card’s page; standard Scotiabank pattern

Who Can Apply

Studentscitizens and PRs apply online; international students apply at a branch; $500 minimum credit limit

Purchase APR 20.99%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No annual fee and a $500 minimum credit limit make it a low-risk way for a student to start building credit
  • International students can apply in a branch, not only Canadian citizens and permanent residents
  • 1% cash back on common household categories (groceries, gas, transit, bills)
  • Cash back can be redeemed anytime with no minimum holding period beyond $25, and never expires

Cons

  • 0.5% base rate outside bonus categories trails many competing no-fee cash back cards
  • 2.5% foreign transaction fee makes it a poor choice for international spending
  • Bonus-category cash back is capped at $15,000 in combined annual spend, after which it drops to 0.5%
  • Scotiabank says it may not be the best fit if you earn more than $12,000 a year, since you may qualify for a card with richer rewards

Rewards & Earn Rates

Groceries, gas/EV, transit/rideshare, food delivery, drugstores, recurring bills1%combined $15,000/yr cap
All other purchases0.5%
This is the student version of the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card. The earn rates, $0 annual fee, interest rates and current welcome offer* are the same. What differs is who it is for and how you apply: Scotiabank markets it to students, international students can apply at a branch, and the minimum credit limit is $500.

Who It’s For

Best for

  • Students who want a first credit card with no annual fee and simple cash back on groceries, transit and phone bills
  • International students who would rather apply in person at a branch

Not ideal for

  • Frequent international spenders or travelers, given the 2.5% estimated FX fee and lack of travel insurance
  • Students earning more than $12,000 a year who could qualify for a card with stronger rewards
IssuerScotiabank
Annual fee$0
Welcome bonus5% cash back for 3 months (up to $100)*
Foreign transaction fee~2.5% (est.)
MoneyMint rating2.8 / 5

Apply on Scotiabank’s site →

This link goes to Scotiabank’s official application page. MoneyMint earns a commission when you apply through it; it doesn’t affect our rating.

+ Compare with other cards

Not Sure? Three Cards People Compare It With

All student cards →

Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card

Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card

Pick this instead if you eat out a lot (4% back at restaurants and bars).

Fee $0Rating 3.8 ★

Read review

BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students

BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students

Pick this instead if you bank with BMO and want its dedicated student card.

Fee $0Rating 3.7 ★

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Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card

Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card

Pick this instead if you are not a student: same earn rates, fee and welcome offer.

Fee $0Rating 2.8 ★

Read review

2.8MoneyMint rating

Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students)

Best for groceries and gas · No annual fee · ~$100 welcome bonus (est.)*

Apply on Scotiabank’s site →Find a better fit

J

Jen, founder of MoneyMint

Reviewed by Jen. Every figure on this page was checked against Scotiabank’s official card page on October 1, 2026. How we rate cards →

This is general information, not personalized financial advice — consider your own spending habits and consult a professional for decisions specific to your situation. Rates, fees, and offers are set by Scotiabank and can change without notice; always confirm current terms on the issuer’s official page before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students)?

The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students) has an annual fee of $0 (primary and supplementary cards).

What is the rewards rate on the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students)?

The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students) offers: 1% cash back on groceries, gas/EV charging, transit/rideshare, food delivery, drugstores, recurring bill payments (combined $15,000/yr cap); 0.5% on all other purchases

Does the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students) have a welcome bonus?

Yes. As of Oct 1, 2026, Scotiabank’s offer terms show 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months* (on up to $2,000 in purchases, so up to $100 in bonus cash back), plus a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 9 months (2% transfer fee, then 22.99%). The offer applies to new accounts opened between July 2 and November 1, 2026. Confirm the live offer before applying.

Who can apply for the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students)?

It is designed for students. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply online, and international students apply by booking an appointment at a Scotiabank branch. Scotiabank does not publish a minimum credit score, and it notes the card may not be the best fit if you earn more than $12,000 a year. The minimum credit limit is $500.

Does the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students) charge foreign transaction fees?

~2.5% (standard Scotiabank pattern; not explicitly restated on this card’s own page)

Offer Terms and Conditions

*Terms and conditions apply. See Card Provider’s website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Offer terms as published on Scotiabank’s Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students) page:

* Offer Description and Conditions: The 5% cash back and Introductory 0.99% balance transfer rate offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa credit card accounts (“Accounts”) that are opened between July 2, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) and is subject to the below terms and conditions. All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer Period. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers.

5% Cash Back Offer Conditions: You will earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in eligible purchases you spend on your new Account within the first 3 months of the Account open date (the “Promotional Period”). Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges. After the Promotional Period, you will earn regular cash back on eligible purchases at the regular cash back rate (the “Cash Back Program Rate”) described in the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Cash Back Program Terms and Conditions (the “Program Terms”). The 5% cash back rate for any category is made up of the sum of: (i) the regular Cash Back Program Rate (variable by categories as set out under the Program Terms); and (ii) a “Cash Back Bonus Rate”. Cash Back earned under this Offer can be redeemed to your Account, provided it is open and in good standing at the time of redemption:
1. Bonus Cash Back: The amount earned under the Cash Back Bonus Rate will be available for redemption to your Account after approximately 5 months from the Account open date in accordance with the regular Cash Back Program Terms.
2. Regular Cash Back: The amount earned under your regular Cash Back Program Rate can be redeemed to your Account anytime for a minimum of $25 each time you request a redemption.

EXAMPLE: If the Regular Cash Back Program Rate for the Groceries and Recurring Payments category is 1% then the Cash Back Bonus Rate will be 4% for that category so that you will earn a total of 5% on the amount of all eligible everyday purchases in that category during the Promotional Period. If you make $2,000 in eligible everyday purchases in the Groceries and Recurring Payments category, your cash back earnings will be as follows: (1) the Cash Back Bonus earnings of $80 (4% x $2,000) (shown as an adjustment in your monthly statements), and (2) the Regular Cash Back earnings of $20 (1% x $2,000) (shown in your monthly statements).

Introductory 0.99% Balance Transfer Rate Offer Description and Conditions: The Introductory 0.99% Balance Transfer Rate Offer (the “Rate Offer”) applies only to eligible cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions) (collectively “Cash Advances”) subject to the conditions below. This introductory rate applies for 9 months from date of Account opening (the “Promotional Period”). After the Promotional Period, the promotional 0.99% interest rate on any Cash Advances (including any amount of those Cash Advances that remain unpaid after the Promotional Period ends) will increase to the preferred interest rate on Cash Advances (currently 22.99%). A balance transfer fee of 2% of the amount of each Cash Advance transferred or made during the Promotional Period applies (minimum fee of $5.00). This Rate Offer is subject to any Cash Advance limits on your Account. This Offer is also subject to the approved credit limit that is being offered to you as of the date of this Offer. This means if a balance transfer amount(s) requested exceeds your approved credit limit as of the date this Rate Offer was provided to you, it may not be processed. This Rate Offer cannot be used for any Scotiabank account including to transfer a balance from another Scotiabank account, or to make a payment or deposit to another Scotiabank account.

Losing your promotional rate: If we don’t receive the minimum payment on your Account by the payment due date on your statement, two consecutive times, you will lose the benefit of this promotional Rate Offer and the interest rates that apply on any unpaid balance will increase to the standard annual interest rates that apply to your Account (currently 25.99% on purchases and 27.99% on Cash Advances). All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer period.

How we apply payments: For Quebec residents: In general, if you have different interest rate(s) that apply to your Account, we apply payments to transactions based on the interest rate(s) that applies to those transactions on your Account (from highest to lowest rates). For non-Quebec residents: In general, if you make a payment that exceeds the minimum payment on your statement, we will apply your payment on a proportionate basis among each group of billed charges on your Account. We group charges based on the interest rate that applies to the group of charges. Your payment cannot be applied to the balance(s) of your choice. See your credit card agreement for more information about how we apply payments to your Account.

Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switched to an existing Scotiabank personal credit card are not eligible for the Offer (and subject to the above exclusions, individuals with a Scotiabank business credit card are also eligible for the Offer). By accepting this Offer you confirm you meet all Offer eligibility requirements. We reserve the right to revoke this Offer at any time if we determine you do not meet the Offer eligibility requirements, including after you have accepted the Offer or been approved for the Account.

Rates and Fees: There is currently no annual fee for the primary card and no fee for each additional card (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for the Account are: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on Cash Advances. All rates, fees, features and benefits are outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.