Build your credit.
Achieve your goals.

The Ambition Mastercard® by College Ave helps students1 start building a positive credit history.2

  • No credit check to qualify
  • No interest charges or late fees3
  • Earn cash back on all your purchases4
Get Started
ambition credit card

It’s good to have Ambition

Set your sights on a brighter financial future by establishing credit easily and safely. Use your Ambition Card to pay for all your purchases—from textbooks to take-out.

Unlike with a debit card, you'll start building a positive credit history2 when making on-time payments.

It’s simple, here's how it works:

Sign up to get your Ambition Card

Transfer money from your checking account to set your Ambition Card spending limit

Use your Ambition Card for your everyday purchases and earn cash back4

Start building a positive credit history2 with on-time payments each month

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Commit to a bright financial future

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It’s never too early to establish credit. Many factors contribute to your credit score and the Ambition Card helps you build a positive history2 by reporting your on-time payments and account activity to all three major credit bureaus.

From groceries and gas to lattes and laptops, using your Ambition Card can help you qualify for things in the future2, like:

  • An apartment lease
  • A car loan
  • Lower interest rates

HERE’S HOW THE AMBITION CARD COMPARES:

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DEBIT CARD
CREDIT CARD

Impacts your credit score

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No late fees3

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No interest charges3

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No credit check to qualify

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More value with built-in benefits

The Ambition Card comes with Mastercard's worldwide acceptance and provides additional benefits to give you peace of mind and the confidence to use your card for all your everyday purchases.

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Real-time security

Instantly freeze your card if you can't find it to prevent fraudulent usage.

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Built-in fraud protection

If your card is lost or stolen, you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges.

About College Ave

College Ave has a proven track record of helping students and families pay for higher education.
The Ambition Card is a new tool for students to use on their financial journey.

Help & Support

Still have questions, check out our FAQs or contact us. We're here for you.

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Call us, 844-657-0445

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Text us, 929-299-2308

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Email us, [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

  • Who can apply for the Ambition Card?

    High school or college students, age 18 years or older, who are US Citizens or Permanent Residents.

  • Is the Ambition Card right for me?

    If you’re ready to build credit, the Ambition Card by College Ave is right for you. But it takes time and dedication. The Ambition Card can be a useful tool for a successful financial future. All you have to do is fund your account and make on-time payments each month.

  • What do I need to apply for the Ambition Card?

    All you need is an active checking or savings account that you can link to your Ambition Card secured deposit account.

  • Will you check my credit if I sign up?

    No, the Ambition Card is specifically designed to help college students build credit, so you don’t need to have a credit history to sign up.

  • How can the Ambition Card help my credit score?

    Making on-time payments on your card can positively impact your credit score. Use your Ambition Card for everything you buy and pay your bill in full every month and on-time, to build a positive credit history over time. We report to the 3 major credit bureaus – TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax®.

  • Do I need to have credit to apply for the Ambition Card?

    No, the Ambition Card is specifically designed to help college students build credit, so you don’t need to have a credit history to sign up.

  • Does College Ave charge any fees for using the Ambition Card?

    There are no fees to apply, no monthly fee for the first 6 months, no late fees and no interest charged on your account.

  • What is the monthly fee after the first 6 months?

    Starting on the 7th month, the monthly fee is $2.00.

  • What makes the Ambition Card different from traditional credit cards?

    The Ambition Card helps you build credit with no interest. There is also no credit check to sign up. The money you move into your Ambition Card secured deposit account is the amount you can spend on the card (also known as your credit limit).

  • What is my credit limit?

    The Ambition Card doesn’t have a pre-set credit limit. Instead, the amount you transfer into your Ambition Card secured deposit account is the amount you can spend with the card (with an overall maximum credit limit of $2,500.00 USD).

  • How can I increase my credit limit?

    You can increase your credit limit (up to $2,500.00 USD) by simply adding more money into your secured deposit account.

  • Can I move money into my Ambition Card secure deposit account from another bank?

    Yes, simply link your existing checking or savings account when you sign up. You can add funds at any time, for any amount. Additional details can be found here.

  • Can my parents move money into my Ambition Card secure deposit account?

    Yes, provide your parents your routing number and account number (which you can get from your Ambition Card account), and they can send a transfer from their existing bank, PayPal, or Venmo.

  • Is there a minimum deposit amount I must make to my account?

    Yes. There is a minimum deposit amount of $50.00 (USD) required for your first deposit made to your secured deposit account. Once you’ve made a first deposit of $50.00 (USD), you can make smaller deposit amounts.

  • How long does it take for my Ambition Card to arrive?

    You can add your Ambition Card to your digital wallet as soon as you've transferred money into your Ambition Card secured deposit account. Your physical card will arrive in the mail about 7-10 business days after you transfer money into your secured deposit account.

  • How do I add my Ambition Card to my digital wallet? (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)

    You can add your Ambition Card to your digital wallet by using the routing and account number provided. Log into your account and find this under “See card details”.

  • When is my payment due date?

    Payments are due on the payment date shown on your monthly statement.

  • How do I make a payment?

    You can make payments by logging into your Ambition Card account. You can make payments at any time or setup Autopay, so you don’t have to worry about missing your payment due date.

  • What happens if I miss a payment?

    If a payment isn’t made on or before your payment due date, the funds will be automatically withdrawn from your Ambition Card secured deposit account to pay the balance due.

  • What can I use my Ambition Card for?

    Swipe it or tap it for everyday purchases – like gas, groceries, streaming services, recurring bills, and entertainment – and pay it off on-time by the end of each month. You can only spend as much money as you have in your Ambition Card secure deposit account.

  • Where can I use my Ambition Card?

    Use it anywhere Mastercard® is accepted.

  • Can I use my Ambition Card at an ATM?

    You cannot use your Ambition Card to withdraw money at an ATM.

  • How do I earn cash rewards?

    You’ll earn cashback by using your Ambition Card on everyday spending. Earn 1.25% cashback on Popular Streaming Services, food delivery services, rideshares and 0.50% back on all other purchases. Additional details can be found here.

  • How do I redeem cash rewards?

    Rewards are accumulated upon on-time payment of your statement balance. Each month we will automatically place your cash rewards back into your secured deposit account! Additional details can be found here.

  • Do cash rewards expire?

    No! Your cash rewards never expire, as they are placed in your secured deposit account to use each month.

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