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Who this card is for
A good fit if you…
- Students whose campus month is grocery, delivery, drugstore, transit, and subscriptions, and who will clear a $49 annual fee with the gap from student No-Fee’s 1% to this 2%, inside the $25,000 cap.
- People who want cash back, not Scene+. Student Amex and Scene+ Visa are the points products.
- Domestic students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and can apply online, and who pay the statement in full.
- Anyone who will not revolve a balance. The purchase rate is 20.99%. Two percent will not outrun it.
Skip it if you…
- Students who wanted $0 Momentum. That is Momentum No-Fee for students, which currently lists an actual $0 fee.
- Scene+ collectors at Sobeys. That is the student Scotia Amex or Scene+ Visa.
- Anyone who will revolve a balance to “build credit.” A 20.99% purchase rate erases the 2% mix immediately.
- International students who expected an online application. Scotiabank’s student page says to book an in-person appointment.
- Households that will clear Infinite’s 4% grocery-and-PAP pair after graduation and already meet Infinite income. That is adult Momentum Visa Infinite, not this student mid rung.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 2% cash back on a wide everyday list, up to $25,000 a year in those categories, is a stronger campus mix than student No-Fee’s 1% cap, and 1% on everything else beats that sibling’s 0.5% catch-all.
- The earn table matches adult Momentum Visa, so the student SKU is access at $49, not a dummy rate card.
- You can redeem cash back any time once you have $25 or more.
- Visa acceptance is straightforward at Canadian merchants that still skip American Express.
- You can step to Infinite later if grocery and recurring bills explode after school. This Visa is the 2% on-ramp, inside that annual cap.
Cons
- The annual fee is $49 a year. Additional cards currently carry their own $15-class add-on — unlike student No-Fee’s $0 extras.
- There is no 5% cash welcome. The special offer is a 0.99% introductory rate on balance transfers and other cash advances for the first 9 months, with a 2% fee (minimum $5), then 22.99%.
- 2% applies only up to $25,000 a year in those categories. After that, and on everything else, the card earns 1%.
- The purchase interest rate is 20.99%. This is not a cheap student revolver.
- Anyone who held a Scotiabank personal credit card as a primary or secondary cardholder in the past 2 years, including a product switch, is not eligible for the balance-transfer offer.
Fees and value: is the annual fee worth it?
First-year snapshot (estimate)
- Annual fee
- $49
- Estimated welcome bonus value
- N/A
- Bonus minus fee (estimate)
- —
This is a simple comparison of the estimated welcome-bonus value against the annual fee. It ignores rewards on spending, credits you have to remember to use, and interest if you carry a balance. Offers change — verify with the issuer.
The annual fee is $49 a year. Additional cards currently carry a $15-class annual fee.
There is no cash welcome-bonus value, so the first-year snapshot on this page will not show a signup cushion. The special offer, for new accounts opened July 2, 2026 to January 3, 2027, is a 0.99% introductory rate on balance transfers and other cash advances for 9 months from account opening, with a 2% fee on each amount transferred or advanced (minimum $5).
After that, the rate moves to the preferred cash advance rate, currently 22.99%. Missing the minimum payment two consecutive times cancels the promotional rate.
Purchases are 20.99%. Year two is $49 versus 2% on the everyday list up to $25,000 a year in those categories, then 1%.
Do that math against student No-Fee at $0 and 1%, and against Tangerine at $0. If 2% on this list still wins after the membership, this is the honest student Momentum.
Offers change. Pay in full.
Rewards and earn rates explained
Rewards program: Cash Back
This card pays cash back, not Scene+. You earn 2% on groceries, food delivery and food subscription services, and drugstore purchases; on gas, electric-vehicle charging, and daily transit such as buses, taxis, and rideshares; on eligible recurring bill payments such as utilities and gym memberships; and on eligible recurring subscription services such as music and video streaming.
The 2% rate applies up to an annual spend limit of $25,000 in those categories. After that, and on all other eligible purchases, you earn 1%.
Recurring means the merchant flags the charge as recurring. Grocery coding has the usual traps.
Redeem cash back any time once you have $25 or more. Student No-Fee currently lists 1% on a capped list, then 0.5%.
Infinite currently leads with 4% grocery and PAPs for people who can pass Infinite income. Coverage is Purchase Security and Extended Warranty: most new purchases are protected against theft, loss, or damage for 90 days from the purchase date, and the extended warranty can double the original manufacturer’s warranty for up to one year.
This is still a cash-back Visa, not travel medical.
Welcome bonus: how to unlock it
0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 9 months (2% fee per transfer; 22.99% after that).
There is no cash welcome bonus. For new Scotia Momentum Visa Card (for students) accounts opened between July 2, 2026 and January 3, 2027, the special offer is a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers and other cash advances for 9 months from account opening.
The fee is 2% on each amount transferred or advanced during the promotional period, with a $5 minimum. After 9 months the rate moves to the preferred cash advance rate, currently 22.99%.
Missing the minimum payment two consecutive times cancels the promotional rate. Scotiabank may change, cancel, or extend the offer at any time without notice.
Individuals who are currently, or were previously, primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including people who switched from another Scotiabank personal credit card, are not eligible. Do not product-change from student Scene+ and expect 0.99%.
Do not transfer a balance you cannot repay before the nine months end.
Welcome bonus eligibility: 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.
FAQ
Is the Scotia Momentum Visa Card for students worth it in 2026?
It is worth it when the 2% everyday list matches a campus month, you will stay inside the $25,000 annual cap, and $49 still beats student No-Fee at $0 and Tangerine at $0. It is not worth it as a Scene+ substitute or as a card you revolve at 20.99%.
Student Momentum Visa vs student Momentum No-Fee?
This card is $49 a year: 2% on the everyday list up to $25,000 a year in those categories, then 1%, and 1% elsewhere. The purchase rate is 20.99%. Student No-Fee currently lists 1% capped then 0.5% at $0. Choose 2% if those buckets are large enough to clear $49. Choose No-Fee if you wanted $0 Momentum.
Student vs adult Scotia Momentum Visa Card?
Earn and fee currently match. Adult Momentum Visa is also $49, with 2% up to $25,000 a year in those categories and the same style of 0.99% balance-transfer offer.
Choose the student card if you are enrolled. Choose the adult card if you are not — do not apply to the campus SKU for an offer you will not get.
Domestic students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply online. International students book an in-person appointment.
What happens after graduation?
Expect a move to adult Momentum Visa, which currently lists the same $49 fee, the same 2% list with a $25,000 cap, and adult welcome rules. Infinite is a separate income-gated step. Confirm the destination SKU and whether the $15-class extra-card fee stays.
Momentum vs student Scene+ Visa?
Scene+ Visa for students currently lists $0 and Scene+ at Sobeys, Home Hardware, and Cineplex. This card lists cash back at $49. Choose Scene+ if those banners and movies are already your life. Choose Momentum if you wanted statement-credit dollars and the 2% list clears the fee.
Compare related cards and guides
More Canadian credit card lists that match this product, plus a few cards people usually compare it with.
- Scotia Momentum Visa Card review · Scotiabank · $49 annual fee
- Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card (for students) review · Scotiabank · $0 annual fee
- Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card (for students) review · Scotiabank · $0 annual fee
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