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Although college is expensive, it does come with some perks. One of the best things about being a student is all of the discounts that come with the title! Many companies offer discounts to students, some of which you may already be aware of, but some you may not; they’re not all advertised. To capitalize on these deals, you should be sure to always carry your student ID card with you, even when you’re not on campus or you’re away on summer break. Take advantage of having a student ID while you can; many student discounts are no longer available when your ID expires or when you turn 25 years old. Remember, it never hurts to ask if there’s a discount—the money you’ll save adds up quickly!
- Amazon: All you need is an active .edu email address, and you can get six months of Amazon Prime for free. After your trial ends, you can get a Prime Student subscription for $49 annually, which is less than half the normal price. With free two-day shipping for almost anything you might need, plus Kindle eBooks and Prime Video, it’s hard to come up with a reason not to sign up!
- Apple: Both current and newly accepted students can get discounts on new Apple devices like Macs and iPads to help with their studies! Additionally, students can get an Apple Music subscription for half-price ($4.99/month).
- FedEx: If you need to mail something, FedEx might have the best deals around. Students receive 30% off the shipping cost of documents and envelopes, and 20% off the cost of packages. You must show your student ID in person to receive this discount.
- ID.me: This site offers specialized discounts and deals to students who register—it’s free. The offers vary, but include discounts on clothing, travel, and technology. Retailers include Sperry, Nike, Ford, and Microsoft, but there are tons of others offering up to 15% off your purchase and cash back.
- Microsoft: A student email address will get you free access to Office 365, which includes programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Additionally, students get a 10% discount on Windows devices, which could come in handy as you’re prepping for the next school year.
- The New York Times: For $1 per week, students can get access to unlimited articles on NYTimes.com. For $1.50, students can also get access to the crossword puzzles. The best part is, the rate stays the same for as long as you’re a student!
- Spotify and Hulu: These streaming services are offering a bundled deal to students, who can get both Spotify Premium and Hulu Limited Commercials for $4.99/month. A Spotify Premium subscription is typically $9.99/month, and Hulu starts at $7.99/month, making this an awesome deal.
- StudentUniverse: Specializing in discounted hotels, flights, and tours for students between the ages of 18 and 25 years old, StudentUniverse has all of your travel needs covered. You must create a free account to access the discounted rates. Occasionally, promo codes offer greater discounts than the already discounted fares (for example, NEWFOR20 will get you an extra $20 off your first international flight). This is a great resource for summer trips, study abroad, and travel between home and campus.
- UNiDAYS: Like ID.me, UNiDAYS verifies your student status and gives you access to discounts and coupon codes available only to students. Categories including fashion, beauty, travel, food, and technology. You must create an account to access the offers.
- Car Insurance: Whether you pay for your own insurance or you’re on your parents’ plan, most insurance companies offer discounts for students, provided you maintain good grades. Print out your transcripts or show your most recent report card to your agent to determine your eligibility.
- Cell Phone Plans: T-Mobile offers discounted devices to students. AT&T offers monthly service discounts and discounted international plans to qualified faculty and students. Other mobile carriers may also offer discounts too; you’ll have to ask!
- Movie Theaters: Most large theater chains (AMC, Cinemark, Regal) offer discounted tickets for students. You’ll need to show your student ID to receive the cheap tickets.
- Museums: The list of museums that offer free or discounted admission to students is very long and spans the country (if not the world). Check with any you’re planning to visit, and always travel with your student ID just in case.
- Restaurants: Many restaurants, especially casual chains like Chick-fil-A, Qdoba, and Burger King, offer student discounts. It never hurts to ask!
- Retail Stores: Similarly, many stores offer special discounts for students, including Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, J.Crew, Kate Spade, and more!
It never hurts to ask whether an event you’re attending or business you’re shopping at offers discounts for students. The worst anyone can say is “no,” but as long as you ask, there’s the possibility that you’ll be rewarded with discounts. Your school may be another source for discounted tickets to local sporting events, shows, and more.
Have a favorite student discount that’s not on the list? Share it with us!
