Students are renowned for paying large amounts of money for things. The main item being their tuition and room & board. Even if you’re not a great coupon hunter, you’ll still love this post. Luckily for those students and their parents, they are offered discounts in many avenues. Hopefully you’ll discover some new favorites that someone in your family or a friend can use. What will they need? Only a student ID card and .edu email address and they’re good to go! www.collegeinfogeek.com is a great source.
Digital
We all know how our college buddies love their digital items. Students can save a chunk of money just on the digital front.
Amazon Prime
Your family may be all on board with a standard Amazon Prime, but did you know that your college student could save considerably by having their own account? As a Prime student, they get the first six months for free and then it’s $59 annually or just $6.49/month. With the membership, you get free two-day shipping on most items, unlimited photo storage, free streaming from thousands of TV shows and movies and so many other cool things. Check out the full list at https://collegeinfogeek.com/amazon-prime-student/. **If you’d only use the streaming services, you may want to forego Amazon Prime. If you won’t be benefiting from the two-day delivery service, other streaming services are probably the better deal.
Audible
While you’re in college, your reading habit may fall to the wayside just due to the amount of time spent on reading textbooks or school work. That’s where audible can come in. Students have access to books on almost every subject you can imagine. You can listen while walking to class, working out at the gym, or even driving home for the weekend. When you sign up, you receive a free audio book and then the cost is $14.99/month thereafter. https://www.audible.com/
Chirp
Audible is amazing if you want to do a book per month, but if you’re not able to get through so much material, in addition to regular schoolwork, Chirp may be an option. Also helpful if you don’t want to commit to a prescription. Chirp has audiobooks for up to 95% off. Unlike subscriptions like Audible, you only pay for the books that you want and use. You can also get your first book for $5 when you use the code COLLEGEINFOGEEK5. www.chirpbooks.com
Spotify/Hulu/Showtime
My kids are crazy for Spotify and luckily for them, they pay half price for the deal. 50% off is amazing on its own, but they also get Hulu and Showtime for free. (On a side note, not related to college students, Verizon customers have access to free Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ on certain plans! -we have this. Woo hoo). The cost is $4.99/month. Don’t forget to throw in the tax for a monthly cost of $5.44 (in our area). https://www.spotify.com/us/
Apple Music
Another musical option is Apple Music for $4.99/month, instead of the normal price of $9.99. www.music.apple.com/subscribe
The New York Times
As part of your major, if you’re required to stay informed and need the New York Times for Research, you’re in luck to discover that they offer a student discount. Students are able to get 4 weeks of the basic subscription for free and then $1 for each week thereafter (normally $3.75/week). It is a good deal. https://www.nytimes.com/subscription/education/student?campaignId=6WYWY
Service Discounts
Digital discounts are amazing, but even as tech savvy as college students are, they still interact in the real world.
Amtrak
I know that you’re wondering…does anyone actually still use the train system? It may seem old fashioned, but it is still a viable way to get around the U.S. In certain regions, students can get 15% off of Amtrak rides. Go to www.amtrak.com to book your deals online. Be prepared to show your student ID if requested.
Your School Library
The library is a collection of resources, but also a service. There are lots of perks that can be found in the library system. Students can get help with writing research papers and can access movies, music, and magazines as well. Some libraries even have access to rare historical artifacts. Your tuition pays for access to these items, so you should take advantage of them. Talk to your college librarian (or visit their library website) to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.
Your school libraries can be amazing, but the local libraries definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. If your university library is too crowded you can get a library card to the local library by using your campus address. Studying at the local library may be quieter than the one on campus.
Museums
There are some museums that offer student discounts and may even offer FREE entrance. Your college’s art museum is usually free to the public as well and typically not very busy. To get these discounts, you likely will just have to show your student ID.
Public Transit
In many cities around the country, students can get a discount for public transit services. If you are in the middle of nowhere, this may not apply to you. Go to your local transit provider in person or online to see what discounts are offered.
Zipcar
Renting a car under age 25 can be painfully expensive, if not impossible in some circumstances. Zipcar is a great alternative that partners with many universities that allow students to use the service.
Movie Theaters
Both Cinemark and AMC have student discounts available at certain locations. Some may even run college nights every month or so where you get in at discounted prices. You can search online or ask at your local box office.
Car Insurance
Most major insurance carriers will offer a student discount of some sort. As a student, you may not recoup this benefit, but your parents will. Depending on the provider, you may have to maintain a certain GPA and get “good” grades. These discounts may not be available in all areas. Let’s review some popular providers and their discounts. If your provider is not on this list, please contact them directly.
· State Farm: 25% off for getting “good” grades. They’re not very specific here.
· Esurance: 10% discount for full time students (Under age 25) with a 3.0 GPA or better.
· Nationwide: Discounts available for full time students (under age 24) with a B-average or better. No specific details so you’d need to talk to a agent for more details.
· Allstate: Up to 25% off if you’re getting “good” grades for students under age 25.
· Farmers: Students under age 25 may qualify for a discount with “good” grades.
· Progressive: A discount is available for students with a B-average or better. Discounts are also available for college students on a policy up to age 22 that lives more than 100 miles from home.
· Geico: Seems a little confusing, but they say…” Full-time students with a good academic record could be eligible for up to a 15% discount on certain coverages. In most states, policyholders between the ages of 16 and 24, who are full-time students with a ‘B’ average or better, are eligible for this discount.”
Cell Phone Service
Sprint
Varying discounts may apply, but students at participating universities can get discounts on certain plans. Input your college to see if it’s available. https://businesssolutions.sprint.com/employee-discounts.html
AT&T
Discounts vary, but enter your .edu email address to see if you are eligible. https://www.att.com/verification/signaturehub
Goodwill
If your students aren’t in love with Goodwill yet, do everything you can to get them there. So many special finds on items that can be a great money savings when spending so much more money in other places. Even though specific discounts may vary by store, check out the following. https://studentpop.com/student-discount/goodwill-deals/
Banana Republic/J.Crew/Kate Spade (online)
Students can save 15% off for local in-store purchases.
TOMS
10% off on purchases online.
Local Businesses
There are an overwhelming number of local discounts that are offered. Especially if you’re living in a college town. Coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and even services like dry cleaning are some you may find. Even if it’s not advertised, it is worth it to ask if they give student discounts.
Any discount that is available should be searched out. Train your college students to search out the deals and tailor their shopping habits based on that. Why pay more for the same product when you don’t have to?
Comments