Student Discounts You Should Actually Be Using (But Probably Aren’t)

5/29/20252 min read

close-up photo of assorted coins
close-up photo of assorted coins

Being a student is basically a full-time job where you pay to work, live off microwavable meals, and treat free Wi-Fi like a basic human right. But here’s the silver lining: companies love students. Why? Because you’re young, broke, and a potential lifelong customer. So they throw discounts at you like candy on Halloween—if you know where to look.

Here’s your crash course on student discounts you should be taking advantage of today (like, immediately after reading this).

1. Amazon Prime Student – Free 6 Months, Then Half Off

Yes, the legends are true. If you have a .edu email, Amazon will hook you up with six months of Prime free, and then charge just $7.49/month after that. That means free 2-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and all the other perks—basically turning you into a productivity ninja who can also binge-watch The Boys.

Pro Tip: Set a reminder before the 6-month trial ends, in case you want to cancel.

2. Spotify + Hulu + Showtime – $4.99/month Bundle

You read that right. For less than the price of a fancy coffee, students can get Spotify Premium, Hulu (with ads), and Showtime—all bundled into one $4.99/month plan. That’s music for study mode, shows for procrastination, and movies for your mental breakdown nights. No shame.

Heads up: You’ll need to verify your student status yearly through SheerID.

3. UNiDAYS – The One Account to Rule Them All

UNiDAYS is like a secret society for students, but with promo codes instead of handshakes. It gives you access to exclusive discounts across a bunch of major brands, including:

  • Apple (up to $200 off)

  • Adidas (up to 30% off)

  • Samsung (special student pricing)

  • Lenovo, Microsoft, and more

It’s completely free—just sign up with your student email and start flexing those savings.

4. Adobe Creative Cloud – Over 60% Off

Whether you’re studying design, communications, or just trying to make your resume look less tragic, Adobe offers a massive discount on its full Creative Cloud suite for students. You get Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and more—usually for around $19.99/month (compared to the regular $55+).

Warning: Once you graduate, the price jumps like your heart when you forget a deadline. Use it while you’ve got it.

5. Local Discounts – Hidden Gems on Campus

Don’t sleep on local businesses. Tons of coffee shops, barbers, food trucks, bookstores, and even mechanics near college campuses offer student discounts. You just have to ask. Yes, really—just flash that student ID like it’s a VIP badge and say, “Do you offer a student discount?” Worst-case scenario, they say no. Best case? Free fries.

6. Travel Discounts – Because Sometimes You Need to Escape

Planning a quick trip home or a spontaneous weekend getaway? Look for:

  • StudentUniverse – Flight and hotel deals exclusively for students

  • Amtrak Student Discount – Up to 15% off fares

  • Greyhound Student Advantage Card – Travel for less (if you can tolerate the ride)

Final Thoughts

Student discounts aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re survival tools. The trick is knowing where to find them and not being afraid to use them. Bookmark sites like UNiDAYS, Student Beans, and ID.me, and get into the habit of asking about student pricing wherever you go.

Because if you’re going to be broke, you might as well be strategic about it.

Check out the Finders Hub. You might just find what you need.