Back when I was a student, I used to think “student discounts” were just codes for 10% off at the bookstore and maybe a free drink during campus promo days. I had no idea that my .edu email was basically a backstage pass to some of the best deals across tech, travel, fashion, streaming, and more.
Now that I’ve learned to dig a little deeper, I’m constantly surprised by how many low-key amazing offers are available just for students—and how easy it is to miss them if you’re not actively looking.
This guide isn’t a list of every discount ever (those get outdated fast), but a curated rundown of the actually useful, day-to-day perks that can help you stretch your budget without sacrificing your style, tech setup, or travel plans.
1. Apple and the Education Pricing Bundle
If you’re in the market for a new laptop or iPad, Apple’s education pricing is one of the few tech deals that’s consistently worth it. The discounts may not look huge at first glance, but they add up fast—especially once you factor in free extras* like AirPods or a $150 gift card, which Apple often includes during back-to-school season.
The best part? You don’t have to wait for your school to list you. Just verify your status through UNiDAYS or Apple’s education portal, and you’re good to go.
And yes, you can also get a discount on AppleCare+—which is highly recommended if your last laptop met its end via iced coffee.
Savings Spark! If you don’t need the gift card or AirPods, sell them on a resale platform to bring down the total cost of your device even more. People are always looking for unopened Apple gear.
2. Spotify + Hulu Student Bundle
There are few things more satisfying than getting Spotify Premium and Hulu (with ads) for $5.99/month total. Yes, total. This bundle is one of the best student subscription perks around—and it’s been running strong for years.
If you’re already paying for Spotify, you might not even realize this offer is available. All you need to do is verify your student status through SheerID. Even if you’re only mildly into music or streaming, the value here is hard to beat.
3. Adobe Creative Cloud
Creative majors, side hustlers, and aspiring content creators, this one’s for you. Adobe offers its entire Creative Cloud suite (think Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and more) at up to 60% off for students and teachers. That brings it down to around $20/month instead of the usual $55+.
If you’ve ever tried to get a freelance gig, intern in media, or even apply for certain jobs, having Adobe experience on your resume could give you a serious edge. Plus, with the student license, you can install the suite on two devices—say, your laptop and your desktop—without paying extra.
The interface takes some getting used to, but trust me: once you learn how to work Photoshop layers or trim a clean video in Premiere, you feel so much more capable creatively.
4. Amtrak and Greyhound
Long weekends, visiting friends, or heading home for break? Amtrak offers a 15% student discount on select routes with a Student Advantage card or official student verification. Greyhound offers a similar discount with their Student Discount ID program.
While these aren’t luxury options, they can be lifesavers when flight prices spike or when you just need to get from point A to point B without breaking the bank.
One thing I love about Amtrak is that it’s surprisingly peaceful—plug in your laptop, read a book, or just stare out the window while avoiding airport chaos. Bonus: If you're in the Northeast or Midwest, these routes are frequent and well-connected.
5. Microsoft Office 365 (Entirely Free for Students)
If you haven’t already checked, your school may offer Microsoft Office 365—including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint—for free. All you need is your school-issued email address. While Google Docs gets the job done, some professors and internships do require traditional Office formats. Plus, Excel is still the MVP for data-heavy work and internships in finance, analytics, and business.
Don’t pay $69 a year for something you can access free through your school’s portal.
6. UNiDAYS and Student Beans
Think of UNiDAYS and Student Beans as your all-access portals to dozens of legit student deals. These platforms partner with brands across fashion, tech, food, and travel—just verify your student email once, and you’ll get access to a revolving list of offers.
The trick is to check these platforms before buying anything online. They often have exclusive codes that don’t show up on regular retailer pages.
Savings Spark! Use browser extensions like Honey or Capital One Shopping with UNiDAYS deals—they’ll often find stackable coupons or better shipping promos you wouldn’t spot on your own.
7. Amazon Prime Student
Yes, this one’s a classic. But if you haven’t signed up yet, Amazon Prime Student gives you six months free, and then cuts the price in half compared to the regular Prime rate.
The benefits include:
- Free two-day shipping
- Prime Video streaming
- Access to Prime Day deals
- Student-only discounts (especially during back-to-school and graduation seasons)
And let’s be honest—when you run out of printer ink the night before a paper’s due or realize you need an HDMI cable for a presentation tomorrow, Prime comes in clutch.
8. Wall Street Journal Digital Subscriptions
Here’s something underrated: news subscriptions matter. Staying informed doesn’t have to mean doom-scrolling through social media. The Wall Street Journal offers deep discounts to students.
Even if you’re not a journalism major, having access to high-quality reporting helps you write smarter papers, prep for interviews, and just be a more well-rounded human. Plus, their cooking and opinion sections are often worth the subscription alone.
9. Museums and Cultural Institutions
Many major museums offer student rates—and sometimes free admission—if you flash your student ID. This includes iconic spots like:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (pay what you wish for students in NY)
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- MoMA, The Getty, SF MoMA, and more
Sometimes it's less about saving money and more about opening yourself to new experiences. A quiet afternoon in a museum (especially during off-peak hours) can be the mental reset you didn’t know you needed.
10. Local Restaurants, Cafes, and Indie Bookstores
These don’t always advertise discounts, but they exist. Ask about student specials, especially in college towns or neighborhoods with multiple campuses. Some spots offer 10–15% off, free drink refills, or student loyalty cards.
If you’re a regular at a local café or bookstore, it’s worth building a relationship. Owners are often happy to extend a perk once they know you're a student and frequent their business. This is the quiet magic of showing up consistently—plus, supporting local places feels good.
11. Travel Sites with Built-In Student Pricing
Sites like StudentUniverse and STA Travel are built around student-only pricing for flights, hotels, and tours. While not every deal will beat Google Flights or Hopper, they often offer exclusive rates during peak travel times or spring break season.
You can also stack deals by using student status on booking sites like Expedia, or watching for campus-specific travel offers through your school’s student life or study abroad office.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be the coupon queen or spend hours hunting for deals to make student discounts work for you. The key is simply being aware—and checking before you buy.
Having a .edu email isn’t just about academic access. It’s a financial shortcut to better tech, smoother travel, affordable culture, and yes, better snacks and streaming nights. Think of it as a limited-time superpower.
Use it while you’ve got it. You might be surprised how much those quiet discounts can upgrade your daily life—without ever shouting about it.
