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Students can save on subscription services, tech, and more, year-round.
Apple; Spotify; Microsoft
It's no secret that being a student is expensive. Between tuition, textbooks, commuting, and campus housing, rationing funds for non-essential spending can be tough. Several retailers know this and offer college student discounts year-round to help out.
With that in mind, we've gathered the best student discounts you can score before heading back to school. The list includes cell service plans, music subscription services, clothing, laptops, software, travel tickets, and more. If you're on the other side of the desk, be sure to check out our roundup of the best teacher discounts available now.
The best college student discounts available in 2024
How is status verified for college student discounts?
Every retailer has a different method of verifying eligibility regarding student discounts. Mostly, they partner with third-party websites like Unidays, SheerID, ID.me, and StudentBeans to do the job. Services like these take information like your name, official school-issued email address, and planned graduation date to confirm your status.
If you're enrolled in an accredited institution but don't have a school email, you'll be asked for different information or documentation to prove your status.
Is Unidays/SheerID/ID.me/StudentBeans safe?
If you're wondering whether it's safe to provide your personal information in exchange for a 15% discount, I hear you. As a former university student scrounging for discounts myself, I've tested Unidays, SheerID, ID.me, and StudentBeans and found them to be valid and safe platforms for verification. The fact that huge companies have partnered with them for years also speaks to their reliability.
In the event that you're being asked to use a different platform or provide your personal information directly to the retailer, just follow the same safety protocols you'd use anywhere on the internet: don't offer highly personal, unnecessary information (like your Social Security number), and double-check the URL to make sure you're at the intended destination site.
Online services and software
Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Adobe: Discounted to $20 per month for all Creative Cloud apps.
Eurail: Save 25% on a Eurail Youth Pass for people 27 years old or younger.
United Airlines: Get 5% off flights if you are between the ages of 18 to 22.
Student Universe: Save on flights, hotels, and more when you verify your student status.
InsuranceFull coverage car insurance offers complete protection for your new car.
Westend61/Getty Images
Allstate: Get the Smart Student Discount if you successfully complete the teenSMART program, attend school at least 100 miles away from where a car is garaged, and are a full-time student getting good grades.
Farmers Insurance: Drivers under 25 years old who are full-time students in high school or college and have good grades may qualify.
Geico: Full-time students with a good academic record could be eligible for up to a 15% discount on certain coverages.
Nationwide: Drivers 16 to 24 years old must be full-time high school or college students and maintain a minimum B average to qualify.
State Farm: Save up to 25% for good grades. The savings last after you graduate from college until you turn 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify my status as a student?
Each retailer has a verification method and will usually disclose how to do that in the promotion details. Some businesses use verification sites like ID.me or UNiDAYS, whereas others will require a .edu e-mail or enrollment verification such as transcripts or grades. Teachers also have access to exclusive discounts that require ID.me or a similar verification website to get a promotion, so it's common to have to make an account for discounts.
What is UNiDAYS?
UNiDAYS is a free website and app for college students to find discounts and deals. Signing up requires verification through your institutional e-mail to get access to the discounts. UNiDAYS is not the only way to access student discounts, but it does have a wide selection of discounts in one place.
Are discounts specific to being enrolled in college or high school?
Many discounts will say if the discount is for any student or college students specifically. The details of each promotion will likely say who the discount is for and oftentimes retailers may ask for the name of the college or .edu e-mail, indicating eligibility. Businesses may ask for a student ID, so make sure to bring that with you if you are shopping in person.
