Only surfacing a few years ago, Gift of College gift cards began springing up in stores across the nation. These gift cards are meant to fund college savings accounts as well as help pay off student loans.

Some major reasons for people wanting to buy these gift cards is to fund their college savings account or pay off student loans with a credit card indirectly. This is because it’s almost impossible to pay off student loans or fund a college savings account with a credit card. Continue reading to learn more!

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Gift of College Activation Fees

A major downside to Gift of College gift cards is that it comes with a $5.95 activation fee. This fee is common if you tend to buy a variable load Visa or Mastercard gift card. The overall hit is much lower if you buy in larger denominations.

Where To Buy Gift Of College Gift Cards

As mentioned above, Gift of College gift cards have begun showing up in many stores across the nation as well as online. Here’s a list of the current retailers and how you can maximize the benefits you earn.

Online

Gift of College

Denominations Available – $25-$200
Direct link to offer.

Although this is the official site to purchase Gift of College gift cards, they still only offer up to $200 worth of gift cards. The highest denomination you can purchase is $500. This makes the fee you must pay slightly higher at 2.98% if you were to purchase the $200. If you do end up buying from their site, select the eGift card option to at least avoid shipping fees.

Walmart

Denomination Available – $100
Direct link to offer – eGift card.
Direct link to offer – physical gift card.

The highest denomination you’ll be able to get here is $100, making the $5.95 activation fee seem much higher. The only upside to making your purchase at Walmart is that this is the only option to purchase Gift of College gift cards online.

In-Store

Target

Denominations Available – $50 & $100.

Similar to the Walmart section, buying the $100 denomination makes the activation fee much higher and makes the gift card less worth it. However, if you have a Target REDCard, you can get a small 5% discount on your purchase, but it still doesn’t amount to much. Additionally, you won’t be able to earn credit card rewards using the Target card.

H-E-B

Denominations Available – $25-$500.

A much better option, H-E-B is one of the largest grocery store chains in Texas. They offer the highest denomination at $500 which makes all the fees seem much smaller. The gift card is much more worth it at this price point.

Save Mart

Denominations Available – $25-$500.

Save Mart is a grocery store chain found all over California. That means that similar to H-E-B, paying with a card that offers bonused spend at grocery stores is your best option, unless you’re working on the signup bonus on a new credit card.

Lucky Supermarkets

Denominations Available – $25-$500.

Another California-based grocery store chain, they aren’t as wide spread as their sibling chain Save Mart. They also offer the highest denomination which makes your purchase worth it.

Foodmaxx

Denominations Available – $25-$500.

Another California grocery store chain that has locations in Nevada, you can also get the $500 denomination here.

Brookshire Brothers

Denominations Available – $25-$500.

Brookshire Brothers is a grocery store chain primarily located in Texas with some stores in Louisiana and Arkansas. Paying for your gift cards using a credit card can net you bonuses.

Cumberland Farms

Denominations Available – Vermont: $50
Denominations Available – Other States: $25-$500

Cumberland Farms is a gas station chain with locations in a number of states. It’s not going to be worth buying Gift of College gift cards from a Cumberland Farms store in Vermont due to the $50 limit.

However, in other states, it is still worth it considering they have the largest denomination. Earn credit card bonuses both while you’re getting gas and make your gift card purchase.

Stripes

Denominations Available – $25-$200

Stripes is similar to Cumberland Farms because it is a gas station/convenience store chain. However, it isn’t as good of an offer because the highest denomination they offer is the $200 variant, which makes the fee seemingly higher. Although, you can still earn credit card bonuses purchasing the gift card and spending on gas.

Kinney Drugs

Denominations Available – Vermont: $50
Denominations Available – Other States: $25-$200

With most of their locations located in the Vermont and New York area, Kinney Drugs isn’t as widespread as the other options and they have the lower $200 denomination. The only upside is that occasionally, you can earn credit card bonuses at drugstores.

Bottom Line

Gift of College gift cards can be an amazing gift to the college students in your life. With these purchases, you can be helping them with their future tremendously, so take a look at our list and locate a vendor near you! Additionally, if you want to earn more credit card bonuses making gift card purchases, then check out our site.