15 College Student Benefits You Might Not Know About

Happy students

College is a unique time in life. When else will you be surrounded by people your own age, and study among people with your same academic interests? It’s the time when you’re existing in that state of not being a kid anymore, but not quite being a grown adult yet either. But did you know that college is also a time when you can get tons of discounts and rewards just for being a student? Businesses and schools have perks for students that a lot of people don’t know about. Here are 15 that are definitely worth checking out:

1. Amazon Prime Student
If you’re an online shopper, this one’s for you. By signing up with Prime Student, you’ll be offered a variety of exclusive discounts, and get six months of free two-day shipping on eligible purchases. You’ll also qualify for Amazon Music with no ads, for $0.99 per month, and unlimited streaming of Prime Video.

2. UNiDAYS

If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for student discounts, look no further than UNiDAYS. Sign up with your university email address, and you’ll have access to more than 150 deals and discounts on clothing, technology, beauty, health and fitness, and more. Save on big brands including Samsung, Ray-Ban, and Adidas.

3. College nights
Where there are colleges, there are discounts. Local businesses often try to attract students by offering special college nights. Many movie theaters, museums, and the like host nights where you can get discounts just by having a student ID. There’s also often two-for-one deals on occasions like these. It’s a great way to go out on the town without going broke, just check with the student affairs office for a list, or browse your campus newspaper for ads!

4. Computer cost cuts
College is a huge expense, and buying a laptop for school can be pretty pricey too. Luckily, companies like Apple, Dell, HP, and Microsoft offer discounts just for college students – some even include a cool freebie if you buy a laptop in time for school, like an iPod or an XBox. Do not forget this when you’re computer shopping!

5. Chat it up on your cellphone
Phone companies like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile can get you discounts on your monthly phone bill. If your school makes you eligible for these discounts, take advantage!

6. Join gyms for less
Most colleges offer the perk of having a free gym on campus, but if you prefer to use an outside gym, there’s good news. There are many gyms that offer discounted memberships for students. Gyms like 24 Hour Fitness Planet Fitness, and Gold’s Gym offer student discounts at select locations across the country.

7. Travel on a budget
Want to take a trip over winter, spring, or summer break? Make sure to do your research to find student discounts first. Student Universe is a website that gives college-friendly prices on airfare, hotels, attractions, and more.

8. Smart shopping
If you need to get a couple outfits for a new internship or job, listen up! Stores that carry professional-looking outfits can be pricey, but there are some that will give you a discount for as long as you’re in college. For example, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, and J. Crew offer 15-20 percent off perks when you show them your school ID.

9. Keep your identity safe
Identity theft is so prevalent these days that some colleges are taking proactive preventative measures to keep their students safe. One such school is Iona College, which provides identity theft protection for all their students.

10. Get subscriptions for less
Think keeping up with a newspaper or magazine might be helpful for a class, or just want to read it for fun? Students can get significant discounts from publications like The Economist, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Your campus may even offer these publications free for students – check with student affairs to see what they offer. So read up!

11. Get deals going out to eat
Just like retail stores, there are many restaurants that offer discounts for college students. Maybe there’s a certain day of the week when students get discounts, or maybe it’s even an everyday thing. Many chain restaurants offer student discounts, but don’t advertise it. When in doubt, ask! Here is an infographic that lists some of them.

12. Health plans
More than 800 schools offer group student health plans, making it convenient to get health-related benefits. Such programs can give students access to coverage that might not otherwise have access to.

13. Save on books with Chegg
Textbook costs can definitely add up over the course of one semester, let alone four years. Luckily, websites like Chegg have student services that offer big savings for renting or buying books. They can even help you sell your books back.

14. Savings on moving costs
Take away some of the stress of moving knowing there are discounts on trucks and storage. Budget and Penske offer students 10 to 20 percent off your move. For Budget, just enter code TRUKU at checkout. For Penske, snag this deal by using the code STUDENT.

15. Student Advantage
Did you know that there are discount programs for college students that get you national and online deals? Student Advantage is the largest student discount program, and offers discounts from Amtrak train tickets, booking on Expedia, magazine subscriptions and online shopping. It’s another one-stop place for collecting your discounts.

This article was previously published in October 2012 and has been updated.