Neu Credit Card for International Students with No SSN, Build Credit and Earn 1.25% Cash Back

Neu Credit Card is designed for international students trying to build U.S. credit without an SSN. This fintech option lets you start a credit history, earn 1.25% cash back on purchases, and manage small monthly fees instead of traditional interest. For many students arriving to study in the United States, Neu offers a straightforward path to responsible borrowing and everyday rewards.

How Neu Works for Students

The Neu Credit Card operates on a subscription model rather than a conventional interest-bearing account. You pick a monthly plan that sets your starting credit limit and then use the card like a normal credit card to establish payment history in the U.S. system.

Applications accept those without a Social Security Number by using alternative identity verification and reported income information. That makes Neu attractive to international students who need a tool to build credit while they get settled into campus life and a U.S. bank.

Cash Back and Pricing

Neu pays 1.25% cash back on all purchases, which is credited back to your account to offset balances. The flat-rate cash back is easy to track and useful for day-to-day spending like groceries, coffee, and transit while you’re studying.

Monthly plans cost a small fee that corresponds to your initial limit, so run the math: the cash back can offset the subscription if you spend consistently. Always monitor your monthly spending so the 1.25% reward genuinely adds value without inflating your budget.

Credit Building Pros and Cons

Neu reports activity to at least one major credit bureau, which lets international students start to build a U.S. score without an SSN. Timely payments help establish positive history, a key component when you later apply for larger credit lines or rental agreements.

However, limited bureau reporting can slow broader credit profile growth compared to cards that report to all three bureaus. If your long-term goal is a full U.S. credit footprint, pair Neu with additional products that report to Experian and Equifax when you qualify.

Practical Tips to Maximize Benefits

Keep utilization low—aim for under 30% of your limit—to maximize the impact on your score while still earning the 1.25% cash back. Set up autopay and keep a budget that prevents you from treating the subscription model like free credit.

Combine Neu with a U.S. bank checking account and consider secured cards or student cards once you get an SSN. Over time, diversifying accounts and maintaining on-time payments will let you build credit smartly and access better offers.

If you’re an international student in the United States, Neu Credit Card is a practical starting point to build credit without an SSN while getting 1.25% cash back. Compare costs, monitor reporting, and plan the next steps to expand your credit profile as you settle in.