For the average student, college is indeed pricey. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about the cost of a college degree. However, you can do plenty to save money in other ways. This is where companies that issue discounts to students can make a big difference in your budget.
Whether you’re a college student or the parent of one, it’s no secret that the cost of higher education has been spiraling ever upward for years.
According to a report from U.S. News, the average annual cost of college tuition for the 2018-2019 school year was $35,676 for private schools and $9,716 for state residents attending public schools.
Here’s a handy list of over 25 companies and retailers that issue discounts to students.
You can even use a high school ID to snag valuable savings at many of these companies, and a few places on this list offer discounts to teachers, as well as students in middle and grade school.
Clothing retailers that offer student discounts
Adidas – Take advantage of 15 percent off Adidas apparel by registering with the college savings app UNiDAYS. Users also get free shipping.
Aerie – Clothing retailer Aerie gives students a 20 percent discount on online purchases of apparel and merchandise. You must register with the UNiDAYS app to participate.
Amazon – Mega retailer Amazon will give you membership in its Amazon Prime Student program for six months if you register with a student email. You can’t beat the free, two-day shipping.
Banana Republic – Here’s a discount available to both students and teachers. Enjoy 15 percent off any full-price item with a student or educator ID. Only available for in-store purchases. See Banana Republic’s site for details.
Champion – Sports apparel retailer Champion offers students 10 percent off purchases at Champion.com, plus several of its sister brands.
Forever 21 – Grab a 21 percent discount for online purchases at Forever 21 by signing up for a Student Beans account.
Hot Topic – Need more statement tees in your wardrobe? Hot Topic lets you save 25 percent on T-shirts by signing up with a Student Beans account.
J.Crew – Get your job interview wardrobe ready by using your 15 percent student discount at J.Crew. This discount is only applicable to in-store purchases. This discount is available to teachers, too!
Nike – Register for a SheerID account and enjoy 10 percent off the things you buy at Nike.
Under Armour – Save on sports apparel by signing up for the UNiDAYS app. Participants get 10 percent off purchases at UnderArmour.
UNiDAYS gives you access to the college student discounts in store and online with major brands, from fashion, entertainment and technology.
When show your profile on the app while at a checkout, you can receive 10%-50% discount depending on the store.
However, you must be over 16 years of age, a college student and studying in the United States.
Verified UNiDAYS students can benefit from Apple’s Education Pricing. Academic staff can use Apple store to get discounts.
Can you use UNiDAYS on sale items?
UNiDAYS discounts cannot be used on promotional sale items that are already discounted. Neither can they be used on gift cards, gift wraps or deliveries.
College is about branching out and exploring new things and places. Here are five sources of student discounts on everything from rental cars to airfare.
E-Z Rent-a-Car – Save on car rentals by using your student ID. E-Z Rent-a-Car gives a 10 percent discount on student car rentals through 2020.
Greyhound – Travel for less at Greyhound. Students get a 10 percent discount with a Student Advantage Card.
OneTravel – Get $10 off by booking a student hotel, vacation, or flight at OneTravel.
Penske – Need to rent a truck for back to school? Penske offers a 10 percent discount with a student ID.
Travelosophy – This travel booking site offers student discounts and group fares, which can save you big on your next vacation or spring break getaway.
Did you know that many insurance companies offer student discounts for good grades? You can save a lot by taking advantage of these five deals.
Also, you can sometimes save even more on insurance by stacking policies, such as using a single insurer for your home insurance and auto insurance.
Esurance – With a valid student ID, any student age 25 or younger who maintains a 3.0 grade point average can get a 10 percent discount on insurance. Only available in select states.
Farmers – If you attend school on a full-time basis, and you’re between 16 and 24 years old, you can ask for an academic discount with Farmers.
Geico – Just learning how to drive? Get a 15 percent discount on driver’s ed if you have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Nationwide – Any student with a 3.0 grade point average or above who attends school full-time and is between the ages of 16 and 24 can apply for a good student discount on Nationwide insurance.
State Farm – Enjoy up to 25 percent off on your insurance policy if you’re 25 years old or younger and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average.
In the market for a new laptop, tablet, or software package? Check out these student discounts on technology from top retailers.
Apple – Apples offers student pricing on many of its products, including iPads and MacBooks. See Apple website for details on how to take advantage of this deal.
Best Buy – Best Buy offers student discounts on computers, with a Best Buy account, college students can get discounts on certain products. Best Buy is always adding new products to its list of student deals, so this is definitely one worth signing up for.
Lenovo – Students and teachers enjoy free shipping, along with a 25 percent discount on ThinkPads and 20 percent off IdeaPads. And the savings don’t stop there, Lenovo also offers students and teachers an additional five percent off ecoupons on its site. Check out Lenovo’s student and teacher discount page for more details.
Microsoft – Microsoft offers students 10 percent off certain products. Students are also eligible to receive the Office 365 software suite for free. See Microsoft’s student discount page to learn more.
Which restaurants give student discounts?
Everyone’s gotta eat! Here are 10 dining deals for students on a budget. Keep in mind that franchises aren’t always required to participate in corporate discounts and giveaways, so you’ll need to verify that your location offers a student discount before you buy.
Arby’s – Get 10 percent off Arby’s with your student ID at participating locations. You can sign up to receive alerts when a new deal is available.
Buffalo Wild Wings – Students who spend at least $5 at participating Buffalo Wild Wings locations can enjoy a free appetizer. See the Buffalo Wild Wings site for more details.
Burger King – Some Burger King locations will give you 10 percent off your purchase if you show your student ID.
Chick-fil-A – Participating Chick-fil-A stores offer a free small drink to students who present a valid student ID.
Chipotle – Quench your thirst with a free drink by showing your student ID at participating Chipotle locations.
Dunkin Donuts – Fuel up with coffee and a donut at Dunkin Donuts, and enjoy a 10 percent discount when you show your student ID. Available at participating locations.
Dairy Queen – Select Dairy Queen locations offer a 10 percent student discount. You can also get deal alerts sent right to your phone by downloading the Dairy Queen app.
Domino’s – Pizza is a college dining staple, so you’ll want to show your student ID every time you visit Domino’s. Certain locations offer a student discount.
McDonald’s – Enjoy 10 percent off food by showing your student ID at participating locations.
Subway – Subway offers 10 percent off purchases with a valid student ID.
5 places you can get Wellness Discounts as a college student
1-800-Contacts – Verify your student status at UNiDAYS and get 15 percent off contacts and other items at 1-800-Contacts.
CorePower Yoga – If you’re near a CorePower Yoga studio location, you can take advantage of their special student pricing. See the CorePower Yoga site for details.
GlassesUSA – GlassesUSA offers students a deep discount if you verify your status through UNiDAYS. Enjoy 70 percent off glasses and contacts.
Hello Fresh – College students can get 15 percent off every box, plus free shipping, from Hello Fresh.
Ray-Ban – Protect your vision with a pair of high-quality sunglasses. You can get free shipping and discounts from Ray-Ban with a UNiDAYS account.
Not every retailer or business advertises its student discounts or special pricing. For example, many insurance companies offer a “secret menu” of discounted rates.
These discounts aren’t necessarily secret, but insurers might not offer them unless you ask. No matter where you shop. If you don’t see a discount advertised, don’t be afraid to ask if one is available.
You’ll be surprised how much you can save simply by speaking up. If you’re the parent of a high school or college student, encourage them to ask for discounted rates when they shop.
This is a great way to teach your young adult about the importance of saving. Every penny counts, and even small discounts add up over time.
Share with us in the comment section, about other retailers that issue discounts to students.
