College is expensive- and not just for tuition. You’ll need books, computers, software, clothes and even food (who knew??).
So, I’ve rounded up some top spots to find what you need without breaking the bank and some tips for getting your best discounts. I’m even providing you with the links to each retailer’s student discount page to make life easier!
Tip #1: Always ask if a store or restaurant gives a discount with a valid student ID.
It was only after I’d graduated that I learned several of my favorite restaurants offered 10% off or more!
Tip #2: Verify your student status at these four websites because many retailers partner with them to offer discounts:
– UNiDAYS
– SheerID
– ID.me
– Student Beans
Tip #3 : Follow these steps to verify your student status:
1. Sign Up: Create accounts with the verification services.
2. Submit Proof: Provide the required verification information, such as:
– Student ID upload
– Academic email address (.edu)
– Enrollment documents
3. Apply Discounts:
– Log in to the verification service at checkout.
– Confirm your student status with the retailer.
– Enjoy your discount!
Tip #4: Plan ahead for hassle-free verification:
– Start the verification process early, as it can take a few days.
– Allow time for approval to avoid delays in your shopping plans.
Discounts Just for Students:
Book Discounts
Always remember that used books are cheaper than new ones and renting a textbook is always cheaper than buying one! Here are some of my favorite sites for deals on textbooks:
1. Chegg
Chegg is like a textbook goldmine, offering tons of books—both physical and digital—at crazy discounts, sometimes up to 90% off! They even have a study service that helps with homework and test prep for $15.95/month. And if you spend over $35, shipping’s on them.
Good old Barnes & Noble isn’t just for novels. You can find new, used, or rental textbooks there. Prices might not be the cheapest, but they’re reliable and you can get free shipping on orders over $40.
3. Amazon
Of course, Amazon has everything—including textbooks. They used to rent and buy back books, but not anymore. Still, their prices are competitive, and if you have Prime, you get fast shipping. Plus, you can return stuff within 30 days.
eCampus is all about renting textbooks and beating prices from big names like Amazon. They ship fast and let you return books within 21 days, which is pretty cool.
If you’re all about saving money, Cheapest Textbooks is your go-to. They search all over to find the lowest prices, so you can get the best deal possible.
Technology and Software Discounts
| Adobe | 63% off Creative Cloud All Apps plan for the first year ($19.99/month for the first year, $29.99/month thereafter) | For students age 13 and up; requires 12-month contract or annual upfront payment ($239.88/year) |
| Adorama | Discounts on select products available through Adorama Students GearUP | Verify with SheerID |
| Apple | Discounted Macs and iPads | For current and newly accepted college students |
| Autodesk | Free access to AutoCAD, 3ds Max, and other Autodesk software for one year (renewable) | Sign up for a free Autodesk account and provide verification of enrollment |
| Codeacademy | 55% off Codeacademy Pro Student membership ($149.99/year) | Verify with SheerID |
| CorelDRAW | CorelDRAW Education Edition for $64.99/year or $109 1-time purchase | Sign up using a valid academic email address or provide alternate proof of enrollment |
| Dell | Up to $750 off PCs | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Evernote | 40% off Evernote Professional annual subscription | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| HP | Up to 40% off select products available through the HP Education Store, plus free shipping | Sign up using a valid academic email address |
| Lenovo | Extra 10% off for college students, special discounts for K-12 students on Student Sale items | College students verify with ID.me; K-12 shop the Student Sale |
| Logitech | 25% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Microsoft | Free Office 365 Education, 10% off select Windows devices | Sign up using a valid academic email address |
| Philips | 25% off | Verify with ID.me |
| Razer | Up to 40% off Razer Blade; 50% off RazerCare and Razer Skins; 15% off peripherals, apparel, and accessories; 5% off chairs | Sign up with a valid academic email address |
| Samsung | Discounts on select products available through Samsung’s Education Offers Program | Verify with ID.me |
| Squarespace | 50% off first full year of Squarespace | Verify with Student Beans |
Clothing Discounts
| adidas | 30% off full-price items, free shipping | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Aeropostale | 15% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| American Eagle Outfitters | 20% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Asos | 10% off | Sign up for asos students |
| Club Monaco | 15% off online or in store | Sign up with a valid academic email address or show student ID in store |
| Converse | 20% off for a limited time, otherwise 10% off | Verify with SheerID |
| Crocs | 25% off (stackable with clearance deals) | Verify with Student Beans |
| Dockers | 25% off | Verify with SheerID |
| Dr. Martens | 20% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Foot Locker | 20% off purchases of $99+ | Verify with Student Beans |
| Hanes | 10% off | Verify with ID.me |
| Hollister | 10% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| J.Crew | 15% off | Verify with SheerID |
| L.L.Bean | 10% off | Verify with SheerID |
| Levi’s | 15% off | Verify with SheerID |
| ModCloth | 25% off | Verify with UNiDAYS or Student Beans |
| Nike | 10% off | Verify with SheerID |
| Oakley | 20% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| The North Face | 10% off | Verify with SheerID |
| Toms | 15% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Under Armour | Extra 30% off | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Vineyard Vines | 15% off | Verify with SheerID |
Food Discounts
| Blue Apron | $110 off, plus your first order ships free | Verify with ID.me |
| DoorDash | Student DashPass plan for $4.99/month (or $48/year) | Verify with SheerID; must cancel existing subscription to sign up for this plan |
| EveryPlate | 75% off your first box, 15% off thereafter for 52 weeks | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| HelloFresh | 55% off and free shipping on your first box, 15% off thereafter for 52 weeks | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| KIND Snacks | 15% off | Verify with ID.me |
| UberEats | $10 off your first order | Verify with UNiDAYS |
Entertainment Discounts
| AMC Theatres | Discounted tickets | Participating theaters only; must show student ID at box office |
| Amazon Music Unlimited | Discounted rate of $5.99/month | Sign up using a valid academic email address and provide proof of enrollment |
| Apple Music | Apple Music Student for $5.99/month (includes Apple TV+ for a limited time) | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Hulu | Spotify Premium Student with Hulu (with ads) for $5.99/month | Sign up through Spotify; you may have to cancel existing Hulu subscriptions to get this discount |
| Pandora | Pandora Premium Student 60-day free trial, then $4.99/month | Sign up with valid academic email address |
| Paramount+ | 25% off subscriptions | Sign up with valid academic email address; must cancel existing subscription to sign up for this plan |
| Peacock Premium | $1.99/month for 12 months | Verify with SheerID |
| SiriusXM | SiriusXM Student Streaming Platinum plan for $1 for 3 months, then $4/month (fees and taxes apply) | Verify with SheerID |
| Spotify | Spotify Premium Student with Hulu for $5.99/month | Sign up through Spotify; you may have to cancel existing Hulu subscriptions to get this discount |
| TIDAL | Student HiFi subscription for $4.99/month; Student HiFi Plus subscription for $9.99/month | For high school and college students age 16 and up; verify with SheerID |
| YouTube Music | YouTube Music Student for $5.49/month | Verify with SheerID |
| YouTube Premium | YouTube Premium Student for $7.99/month | Verify with SheerID |
Warehouse and Wholesaler Discounts
| Amazon | Free 6-month trial of Prime Student then discounted rate of $7.49/month or $69/year for up to four years | Sign up using a valid academic email address and provide proof of enrollment |
| BJ’s Wholesale Club | $30 off new membership | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Costco | Receive a free $30 Costco Shop Card with new membership | Verify with UNiDAYS; must sign up for membership auto-renewal |
| Sam’s Club | $40 off Plus membership, 30% off Club membership | Verify with UNiDAYS |
| Walmart | Free 30-day trial of Walmart+ Student then discounted rate of $6.47/month or $49/year for a limited time | Verify with SheerID |
