College kids have always had it a little rough in the financial department, but now that prices have gone up on just about everything, you can only imagine what it’s like trying to get through school as a student on a budget today. Care-free college days can easily be overshadowed by the costs of classes, books and room and board — let alone any extracurriculars.
Luckily, college students do get breaks on some goods and streaming services, like Spotify and Hulu, that make life a little more affordable. If you verify your student status with a valid .edu school email or proof of enrollment (usually through a service like SheerID or UNiDAYS), you can also score discounts on Amazon Prime, Microsoft Office, United Airlines and more.
We’ve done some of the work for you and rounded up some great student discount opportunities. Also be sure to check in with your school’s housing department and student bookstore to see if there are any other offers through your school, like on other streaming services or devices and software. You can also check if your state is offering a sales tax exemption for school supplies, clothing, computers and more.
Student discounts on food, fitness, travel and entertainment
Get breaks on subscriptions, services and products you love once you verify your student status.
Every once in a while it’s nice to treat yourself to takeout, especially if you’re in the dorms or living off Top Ramen. With Student DashPass, college students can skip the delivery fee on restaurant orders (on purchases over $12) or grocery orders (on purchases over $25) and will have lower service fees in general. After verifying student status, college students can enjoy DashPass at 50% off, which is $4.99 a month or $48 annually instead of the normal $9.99 a month or $96 a year. Depending on your order frequency, the delivery savings can really add up.
Amtrak can be a great way to travel, and it’s even better when it’s at a discount. Students between the ages of 17 and 24 with a valid student ID can save 15% on regular-priced fares when booking travel at least one day in advance. Get a head start planning that cross-country spring break train trip with friends. Or why not finally book a weekend trip to a neighboring town you want to explore?
If you’re living off campus and have access to a kitchen, Blue Apron can be a great way to make fast, healthy meals each week. If you verify through ID.me, students can save 50% on the first four weeks of a new subscription, as well as free shipping the first week. One of the great things about Blue Apron is that you can choose meals that are deemed “fast & easy,” which are perfect for students and involve low prep and quick cook times. Your friends will be so impressed!
If you’re traveling for fun or even back home for school breaks, you can take advantage of United’s young adult discount of 5% on United Economy and Basic Economy seats if you’re a MileagePlus member. The only stipulation is that you must be between 18 and 23 at the time of booking — you don’t actually have to be a verified student for this discount. Note that this promotion ends September 30, 2024, so take advantage and book that flight now.
Love kombucha but not the price tag? Fear not, students can use their UNiDAYS account to receive 25% orders of Health-Ade Kombucha, Health-Ade Glow Up Kombucha or the brand’s SunSip prebiotic soda. Improving gut health may not be at the forefront of your college pursuits, but when it tastes this good, it doesn’t feel like work. And with a great discount, it’s an even sweeter deal.
Dying to watch the Frasier reboot but can’t afford Paramount Plus?
College students no longer need to worry about that. Paramount Plus offers all college students 25% off a Paramount Plus subscription, bringing the bill down from $5.99 a month to $4.50. All you have to do is verify your student status before signing up for a subscription.
Saving a buck a month, your only worry will be whether to watch Big Brother or Big Time Rush.
You don’t need a Peloton bike in order to take Peloton classes, which include not only cycling, but also HIIT, running, strength training, yoga and more. The Peloton app offers all that via phone, tablet and most streaming devices.
The regular subscription price is $13 a month; verified students with a valid college ID can get it for half that. Additionally, you get the first month free if you’ve never tried Peloton before.