Studying in US: Getting discounts on everything as a Student

Being a student unlocks a vast array of financial advantages, from significant discounts on essential software to everyday savings on food and travel. 

1. The .EDU sTLD (sponsored top-level domain) stands for “education”. 
2. You will see this sTLD in both domain names and email accounts. 
3. Students and faculty at colleges are usually assigned email addresses ending in .EDU.
4. Not everyone is aware of this, but you don’t have to be a student or teacher to have a .EDU email address.
5. There is also no guarantee that, once obtained, your .EDU email will work forever.
   
   

BONUS TIP:
At some schools you can make alias .edu accounts and use those to get a few more sets of 6 months. I'm not sure how to do it for other colleges but here are instructions for UC Berkeley:

1. Go to Calmail.berkeley.edu
2. On the left click "Manage Your Account" and login.
3. On the left now click "Aliases"
4. Under Alias enter a new handle, this will effectively give you a second unique @berkeley.edu email address

Student Status Verification & Eligibility

The .EDU email address serves as a convenient digital identifier, primarily for accredited post-secondary U.S. institutions. However, its absence is rarely a barrier to accessing discounts.

Verification Methods:

• Physical Student ID: The most universal tool for in-person discounts. Many establishments primarily check for a valid ID rather than scrutinizing expiration dates.
• Non-.EDU Student Email: For online discounts, politely contacting customer support with your official university email, a link to your university's website, and offering a scan of your student ID can often secure the discount. Many companies use .EDU as a low-effort filter and are willing to manually verify.
• Third-Party Verification Platforms: These services streamline the process and grant access to exclusive deals:
  • UNiDAYS: A free and widely used platform for online retail, providing unique coupon codes after student status verification. Prevalent in the US, UK, Australia, and more.
  • International Student Identity Card (ISIC): An internationally recognized card for full-time students aged 12+. Essential for international travel and offers access to tens of thousands of discounts in over 125 countries. Annual cost typically ranges from $20-$30 USD.
  • Student Advantage Card: A paid membership card (annual cost around $22.50 USD) offering discounts at numerous national and local businesses.
  • SheerID: Many companies integrate directly with SheerID for seamless online student verification.

How to Maximize Student Savings:

• Always Ask: Whether online or in person, inquire about student discounts. The worst they can say is no.
• Carry Your ID: Your physical student ID is paramount for in-person verification.
• Leverage Verification Platforms: Sign up for UNiDAYS, SheerID, and consider an ISIC card, especially for international travel.
• Check Your School's Resources: Your university website, student union, or academic departments often have curated lists of discounts or specific partnerships.
• Budgeting Apps: Utilize budgeting apps (many offer student versions or are free) to track spending and identify areas where discounts can make the biggest impact.
• Look for Deals Regularly: Discounts are dynamic. Revisit websites and platforms periodically for new offers or changes.
• Read the Fine Print: Be aware of any exclusions (e.g., sale items, gift cards) or specific terms (e.g., in-store only, online only).
• Don't Over-Buy: Only use discounts on items you genuinely need or planned to purchase. A discount isn't a saving if you weren't going to spend the money anyway.

DISCOUNTS:
While popular deals often get highlighted, many lesser-known or overlooked opportunities can provide substantial relief to a student's budget. The key is knowing where to look and how to verify your student status effectively.

A. Software & Digital Services (Often Free or Deeply Discounted)

This category offers some of the most significant financial relief for students, often providing professional-grade tools for free or at steep discounts.

• Productivity & Creative Suites:
  • Adobe Creative Cloud: Students and teachers receive a robust 60% discount on the entire suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro), typically around $19.99/month USD vs. $59.99/month.
  • Microsoft 365 Education: Most educational institutions provide free access to Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) for students and faculty. Always check with your school's IT department first.
  • Google Workspace for Education: Free access to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive (often unlimited storage), and Gmail for students enrolled at eligible institutions.
• Developer & Engineering Tools:
  • GitHub Education Pack: An incredibly valuable resource offering free access to a vast array of developer tools and services, including:
    • Private repositories on GitHub.
    • Cloud hosting credits: Significant credits from providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, Heroku (e.g., $50-$200 in credits).
    • Domain names: Free .ME domain from Namecheap for one year.
    • Developer IDEs: Free licenses for JetBrains' professional IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.).
    • Data Science/ML Platforms: Access to platforms like DataCamp, Tableau.
  • Autodesk: Provides free educational licenses (typically valid for one year, renewable) for industry-standard design, engineering, and animation software (e.g., AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Revit, Maya, 3ds Max).
  • MATLAB: Student licenses are available, often at a significantly reduced price (e.g., $50-$100 USD for a perpetual single-user license, depending on modules).
  • Corel: Offers steep student discounts, sometimes up to 96% off retail prices for software packages like CorelDRAW and Painter.
  • BitBucket: Free unlimited accounts for students.
  • SQL Server Developer Edition: Often available for free for development and testing purposes.
• Security & Utilities:
  • Norton/McAfee: Offer student discounts, typically around 50% off on anti-virus and security software.
  • LastPass Premium: Provides six months of free premium access for password management.
  • CamScanner: Full version unlocked for free with a .EDU address.
  • Connectify Hotspot: Offers a 75% discount on its software to create Wi-Fi hotspots.
  • iMazing: Offers a 30% discount on its iOS device management application.
• Collaboration & Presentation:
  • Prezi: Free premium accounts or discounted upgrades for educators and students.
  • Powtoon: Discounted or free premium accounts for animated videos and presentations.
  • LucidChart: Free access to its web-based diagramming and flowchart software for students and teachers.
  • Miro: Offers free access to its online collaborative whiteboard for students and educators.
• Specialized Academic Tools:
  • EndNote/RefWorks: While priced normally around $100-$300 USD, many universities provide free access to these reference management software. Always check with your institution first as this can be a significant cost saver for research.
  • Turnitin: Many universities provide free access to this plagiarism detection software.
• Media & Entertainment:
  • Spotify Premium: 50% discount for eligible students (around $5.99/month USD vs. $11.99/month).
  • Amazon Prime Student: Six-month free trial, then 50% off annual membership (currently around $7.49/month USD or $69/year USD after trial). Includes free two-day shipping, streaming video/music, and more.
  • Apple Music: Offers a student plan at a reduced rate (e.g., $5.99/month USD).
  • YouTube Premium: Students often get a discounted rate (e.g., $7.99/month USD).
  • Crunchyroll: Offers 30-day trials for .EDU addresses (vs. 14-day for others) for anime and Japanese drama streaming.
  • Tidal: Offers a 50% student discount on its HiFi and HiFi Plus plans.
• Web Hosting & Domains:
  • Many providers (Dreamhost, Bluehost, Inmotion Hosting, SiteGround) offer 50% or more off for students.
  • Namecheap often provides a free .ME domain for one year and other perks through the GitHub Education Pack.

B. Tech Hardware (Significant Savings)

Major tech brands provide substantial discounts on computers and accessories, which are crucial investments for students.

• Apple Education Store: Offers discounts on Macs (often up to $200 off), iPads, and sometimes AppleCare. Available online or in-store with verification.
• Dell University Program: Provides exclusive discounts through its Member Purchase Program for University Students. Discounts vary but can be very significant on laptops, desktops, and monitors.
• HP Education Store: Similar to Dell, HP offers special pricing for students.
• Lenovo Academic Purchase Program: Discounts of up to 25% off on select computers.
• Sony Education Store: Can offer up to 10% off various products.
• Best Buy College Student Deals: Requires signing up and verifying a .EDU email. Discounts vary widely and are often time-limited.
• Newegg Premier: First year is free for students, followed by 50% off annual membership (similar benefits to Amazon Prime for tech).
• Microsoft Store: Offers student discounts on Surface devices and other hardware.

C. Telecommunication Services (Ongoing Monthly Savings)

These discounts, though often a percentage, add up significantly over a semester or year.

• Major Carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint): Many offer 10-25% off monthly bills for students from eligible schools. Check their corporate discount pages or inquire directly.
• Prepaid Carriers (Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile): May offer specific discounted plans for students.

D. Travel & Transportation (Crucial for Budgeting)

Beyond major platforms, look for local and regional options.

• StudentUniverse: A dedicated platform for student-friendly prices on airfare, hotels, and tours. Discounts can be substantial.
• Eurail Youth Pass: Students aged 16-27 can save an average of 35% off the regular Adult Fare for European train travel.
• Rail Europe: Varying discounts for travelers aged 16-25 on European train tickets.
• Greyhound: Provides 20% off unrestricted bus tickets and 40% off package shipping with a valid student ID (often via Student Advantage Card).
• Zipcar: Offers discounted student rates for car-sharing services. Rates vary by university, but can be significantly lower than standard membership. (e.g., annual membership for ~$15-$25 USD instead of $70, plus cheaper hourly rates).
• Public Transit (Local & Regional): Many city and regional transportation systems (bus, subway, tram) offer student passes or discounted fares. Inquire at your local transit authority. For instance, NJ Transit's University Partnership Program offers 25% off monthly passes.
• Amtrak: Offers various student discounts depending on routes and regions, often 10-15% off select fares.
• Car Rental Agencies: Some (e.g., Avis, Budget, Enterprise) offer student discounts, often requiring an ISIC card or affiliation with a student organization.
• Ride-Sharing Services: Occasionally, Uber or Lyft may run promotions for university students, though less consistently.
• Moving Companies: Some moving companies or truck rental services (e.g., U-Haul, Penske) might offer small discounts to students, especially during peak moving seasons.

E. Insurance (Major Savings for Young Adults)

These discounts can shave hundreds off annual premiums.

• Good Student Discounts: Most major car insurance providers (State Farm, Allstate, Geico, Esurance, Travelers, Farmers) offer 5-25% off premiums for full-time students (typically under 25) maintaining a "B" average or 3.0 GPA. Some may continue this discount even after graduation until age 25.
• Student Away at School Discount: For parents, Travelers Insurance offers up to 7% off if a student dependent attends school at least 100 miles away without a car.
• Bundling Discounts: While not student-specific, combining renter's insurance (often cheap for students, e.g., $10-20/month USD) with car insurance can lead to further savings.
• Health Insurance: While not a "discount," students often have access to affordable health insurance plans through their university, which can be significantly cheaper than private plans (e.g., $1,500-$3,000/year USD for university plans vs. potentially higher private plans).

F. Entertainment & Culture (Enhancing Student Life)

Beyond major venues, local gems often have student rates.

• Movies:
  • AMC Theatres, Cinemark, Regal Cinemas: Many locations offer discounted tickets on specific days (e.g., Tuesdays or Thursdays) or general student rates with a valid ID.
  • Local Independent Cinemas: Often have the best student deals.
• Museums & Arts:
  • Major Institutions (NYC, Chicago, etc.): The Lincoln Center, MoMA, The Art Institute of Chicago, Denver Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art often have student admissions (e.g., MoMA free for select NYC colleges, student memberships for ~$50/year USD at Art Institute of Chicago).
  • Local Institutions: Almost all museums, art galleries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and historical sites offer some form of student discount. Always ask!
• Performing Arts:
  • Symphonies, Operas, Theaters: Many offer "Student Rush Tickets" (e.g., $10-$35 USD) available shortly before a performance, or specific student subscription packages (e.g., Houston Ballet, Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Opera, Memphis Symphony Orchestra).
• Attractions:
  • New England Aquarium, Madame Tussauds: Offer specific percentage or dollar-amount discounts.
  • Local Tourist Attractions: Theme parks, local tours, observation decks often have student pricing.
• Streaming Services (Beyond Spotify/Amazon):
  • Hulu: Offers a student discount plan (e.g., $1.99/month USD).
  • SHOWTIME: Sometimes bundled with other student offers or available at a reduced rate.

G. Sports & Fitness (Active Student Life)

Don't neglect your physical well-being; it can be affordable.

• Gym Memberships:
  • University Gyms: Often included in tuition or offered at a very low fee.
  • Local Gyms (24 Hour Fitness, Gold's Gym, Planet Fitness): Many individual locations offer student discounts (e.g., 10-20% off monthly fees).
  • Yoga & Pilates Studios: CorePower Yoga offers up to 25% off classes and memberships. Many independent studios have student rates.
• Outdoor Gear:
  • Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS): Offers 20% off EMS brand items and 15% off full-price national brand products.
  • REI: While not a direct student discount, their membership ($30 for a lifetime) provides 10% back on eligible purchases and access to member-only sales, which can be beneficial for students frequently buying outdoor gear.
• Ski Passes: Many ski resorts offer specific "College Passes" for significant savings for a full season (e.g., Ski Colorado College Pass, College New England Pass), often ranging from $300-$700+ USD for unlimited access, a fraction of regular season pass costs.
• Professional Sports Teams: Many teams (MLS, MLB, NBA, NFL) offer "College Nights" or student-specific ticket discounts, making seats available for $10-$25 USD. Look for "Student Rush" tickets at box offices.

H. Retail & Apparel (Looking Good on a Budget)

From everyday essentials to fashion, student discounts are widespread.

• Online Retailers (often via UNiDAYS or SheerID):
  • Apparel (10-20% off): ASOS, Levi’s, Dockers, ModCloth, Oasis, Dune London, Warehouse, Topshop, Jack Wills, Koshka, Boohoo, Betabrand, Adidas, Nike, PUMA, Under Armour, Lulus.
  • Specialty: Crocs, Rothy's (seasonal).
• In-Store Discounts (with Student ID):
  • Apparel (10-20% off): Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, The Limited, Kate Spade, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, Madewell, Eddie Bauer, Original Penguin, Kenneth Cole, Express, H&M.
  • Beauty & Wellness: Sally Beauty Supply (student card for beauty school students).
  • Crafts & Hobbies: Jo-Ann (10% off every day with student discount program), Michaels (often 10-15% off).
  • Thrift Stores: Goodwill (some locations offer specific "Student Discount Days," e.g., 20% off on Tuesdays).
• Books & Supplies:
  • Barnes & Noble: Discounts on new/used textbooks and rentals.
  • Amazon Textbooks: Rental and purchase options, often with Prime Student benefits.
  • New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist: Significant student discounts on subscriptions (e.g., NYT 50% off digital, WSJ 75% off, Economist $96/year USD).
  • Local Bookstores: Many independent bookstores offer student discounts.
  • Art Supply Stores: Brands like Blick Art Materials often have student programs offering discounts.
  • Office Supply Stores (Staples, Office Depot/Max): May have student-specific loyalty programs or seasonal discounts.
• Home Goods & Dorm Essentials:
  • Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Kohl's: Often run "dorm essentials" sales with extra student discounts around back-to-school season.
  • Wayfair: May offer specific student promotions.

I. Food & Dining (Everyday Savings)

Beyond the big chains, local eateries often have student deals.

• Fast Food & Casual Dining (typically 10% off or free drink with purchase with valid student ID):
  • bd’s Mongolian Grill (some locations: Student Night for ~$9.99/bowl)
  • Chipotle, Qdoba, Chick-fil-A (Free drink with purchase)
  • Subway, Burger King, Waffle House, Arby's, McDonald's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dairy Queen.
  • Local Pizza Places/Deli's: Many independent food establishments in college towns offer student deals. Always ask!
• Grocery Stores: Some local grocery stores or co-ops in university towns offer student discount days or loyalty programs. Check with stores near campus.
• Meal Delivery Services: Services like HelloFresh or Blue Apron occasionally offer introductory student discounts.

J. Financial & Other Overlooked Discounts

These categories might not seem obvious but can significantly impact overall expenses.

• Banking:
  • Many banks offer student checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, and free ATM access. Some may even offer small sign-up bonuses.
  • Credit unions often have better rates and fewer fees for student accounts.
• Investment Platforms: Some brokerage firms (e.g., Fidelity, Charles Schwab) may offer educational resources, waived fees, or specific programs for student investors.
• Tax Software: During tax season, some online tax preparation services (e.g., TurboTax) may offer free or discounted filing options for students with simpler tax situations.
• Museum Memberships (Local): While individual tickets might have small discounts, an annual student membership to a local museum or zoo (e.g., $30-$70 USD) can pay for itself in a few visits and offer additional perks like guest passes or store discounts.
• Professional Organizations: Membership in student chapters of professional organizations (e.g., IEEE, ACM, AMA) often comes with discounted or free access to industry publications, networking events, conferences, and sometimes exclusive software or career resources. Annual fees typically range from $0-$50 USD.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Beyond being beneficial for resumes, some volunteer positions might come with perks like free event admission or discounted training.
• Campus Resources:
  • Free Tutoring & Academic Support: Often available through university learning centers.
  • Career Services: Free resume reviews, mock interviews, and job search assistance.
  • Mental Health Services: Often free or low-cost counseling and support groups.
  • Campus Events: Free concerts, movie nights, guest speakers, and sports events.
  • Student Health Clinics: Low-cost medical services.
  • University Libraries: Access to vast databases, interlibrary loans, and sometimes even technology rentals (laptops, cameras).
• Open Educational Resources (OER): Actively seek out courses or materials that use OER instead of expensive textbooks. Your professors might be able to guide you.
• Used Textbooks & Rentals: Always explore options like Amazon, Chegg, ValoreBooks, or your campus bookstore for used textbooks or rentals, which can save 50-80% compared to new copies.
• Free Online Courses/MOOCs: Platforms like Coursera, edX, or Khan Academy offer free courses for personal enrichment, even if not for credit.