For the first two years of high school, I paid full price for almost everything. Spotify subscriptions, school supplies, even my morning coffee runs—I never thought to ask if there was a student discount. Then one day, a cashier at a local restaurant asked if I was a student and knocked $2 off my order. That small moment changed everything. I realized I’d been leaving money on the table, literally, for years.
Since then, I’ve made it my mission to find every student discount available. Here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner, and how you can start saving money today—just by being a student.
Tech and Entertainment: The Big Savers
Music Streaming: This was my first big discovery. Spotify Premium offers students a massive discount—currently around $5.99/month instead of the regular $10.99. Even better, it includes Hulu and Showmax in some packages. Apple Music has a similar student plan. I was paying full price for months before I learned this, which added up to over $60 wasted. Now I save about $60 a year just by verifying my student status once.
Software and Apps: As a student creating content for my financial literacy blog, I’ve found incredible deals on software. Microsoft Office 365 is often free through schools, but even if it’s not, students get huge discounts. Adobe Creative Cloud offers 60% off for students—that’s hundreds of dollars in savings if you need design or video editing tools. Even apps like Notion have free student plans with premium features.
Amazon Prime Student: I didn’t know this existed until junior year. Amazon Prime Student gives you six months free, then half-price membership after that. Free two-day shipping has saved me so much on last-minute school supplies and birthday gifts. Plus, you get access to Prime Video and exclusive deals.
Food: Small Savings That Add Up
Fast Food Chains: Many fast food places offer 10-20% student discounts, but they don’t always advertise them. Chipotle, Subway, McDonald’s, and local restaurants near schools often have deals—you just have to ask. I’ve started making it a habit: “Do you have a student discount?” The worst they can say is no, and I’ve been surprised how often the answer is yes.
Coffee Shops: My morning coffee habit was draining my budget until I discovered student discounts. Some Starbucks locations offer discounts, and local coffee shops near campus are even more generous. I found one place that gives students 20% off—that’s saved me at least $5 a week, or over $200 a year.
Shopping: Clothes, Supplies, and More
Clothing Stores: Major retailers like ASOS, Topshop, and Urban Outfitters offer 10-15% student discounts through verification services like UNiDAYS or Student Beans. I downloaded these apps, verified my enrollment once, and now get discounts automatically. Before prom, I saved $30 on my outfit just by using my student discount.
School Supplies: Office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot have back-to-school deals year-round for students. Apple offers education pricing on MacBooks and iPads—potentially hundreds of dollars in savings. Even if you’re not buying a laptop now, keep this in mind for college.
Transportation: Getting Around for Less
Public Transit: This was huge for me. My city’s public transportation offers reduced student fares—I pay about 30% less than adults. That’s $20-30 saved every month on bus passes. Check your local transit authority; most have student rates that require just a school ID.
Rideshare Services: Some college towns have student discounts with Uber and Lyft, though availability varies. It’s worth checking the app promotions section regularly.
Services and Subscriptions
Fitness and Wellness: Some gyms offer student memberships at reduced rates. Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, and local gyms near schools often have deals. Even YouTube Premium has a student plan for about $7.99 instead of $13.99.
News and Learning: Want to stay informed? The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post all offer deeply discounted student subscriptions—sometimes as low as $1-5 per month. I got The Times for $4/month, which has been invaluable for staying current on financial news.
How to Actually Use These Discounts
Here’s what I’ve learned about maximizing student savings:
Always Carry Your Student ID: Keep it in your wallet or phone case. You never know when you’ll need it.
Just Ask: Most of my discount discoveries came from simply asking, “Do you offer a student discount?” Don’t be shy—it’s a legitimate question.
Download Verification Apps: UNiDAYS and Student Beans are free apps that verify your student status once and give you access to hundreds of discounts. They’ve saved me countless dollars.
Check Before Buying: Before any purchase, I google “[store name] student discount” or check the verification apps. It takes 30 seconds and often saves 10-20%.
Sign Up With Your School Email: Many companies verify student status through .edu email addresses. Use your school email when signing up for services.
The Discounts I’m Still Discovering
Even now, I find new student discounts regularly. Recently I learned that many movie theaters offer student pricing on weekdays, and some museums have free or reduced admission for students. My local bookstore gives 15% off—I’d been shopping there for a year at full price.
The lesson? Student discounts are everywhere, but they’re often unadvertised. Businesses want student customers and are willing to offer deals, but they won’t always promote them loudly. You have to ask, search, and advocate for yourself.
Do the Math
Let’s add up potential annual savings:
- Music streaming: $60
- Coffee (weekly): $200
- Clothing (occasional): $50
- Transportation (monthly): $300
- Software/subscriptions: $100
That’s over $700 a year just from using student discounts I already qualified for but wasn’t claiming. Think about what you could do with an extra $700—that’s an emergency fund, college application fees covered, or serious savings toward a goal.
My Challenge to You
This week, identify three places you regularly spend money and ask about student discounts. Update your streaming services to student plans. Download UNiDAYS or Student Beans. Start carrying your student ID everywhere.
Being a student comes with enough expenses—textbooks, fees, supplies, activities. Take advantage of every discount you’ve earned just by being enrolled in school. Your student status is a financial asset; use it before you graduate and lose access to these deals.
Trust me, your future self will thank you for the money you saved today. Because remember: every penny matters, and student discounts help you keep more of those pennies in your pocket.