The provided source material details a range of freebies, discounts, and resources available to college students, primarily within the United States context. The information covers software, food, memberships, and financial tools, with some mention of COVID-19 specific offers. It is important to note that the sources are largely American, and while some services may have a UK presence, the availability, terms, and specific brands listed may differ significantly for students based in the United Kingdom. The following article synthesises the available information, focusing on the types of offers described and highlighting the need for UK-based students to verify local availability and terms.
Free Software and Educational Resources
Several sources highlight the availability of free software for students, often contingent on having a valid .edu email address or verification through a recognised educational institution.
Productivity and Development Tools - Microsoft Office: Students at eligible institutions with a valid college email address can receive Office 365 Education for free. This suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. - Google Sheets: This spreadsheet program is part of the free, web-based Google Docs Editors suite. It is widely used by students and educational organisations to improve productivity. - JetBrains All Products Pack: Students with a .edu email address can download the award-winning All Products Pack of developer tools from JetBrains for free. The specific inclusions are listed on their website. - Tableau: A data visualisation tool, Tableau may be available for free to students, though the specific eligibility and access method are not detailed in the provided chunks.
Financial and Budgeting Software - You Need a Budget (YNAB): Students can get this budgeting software free for an entire year. - Acorns: This app allows students to invest spare change automatically. It is positioned as a tool for those who may not have the means to invest larger sums, with options to invest for as little as $1, $2, or $3 a month. The app is available for download on iOS and Android devices. - EveryDollar: An app from Dave Ramsey that uses a zero-based budgeting system. It helps users track spending and create a budget. It is available for iOS and Android devices. - Trim: This tool helps users manage subscriptions and negotiate bills. The source material mentions it can identify unused subscriptions, such as an old Xbox Gamepass account, and potentially cancel them.
Other Software and Resources - Tableau: A data visualisation tool, Tableau may be available for free to students, though the specific eligibility and access method are not detailed in the provided chunks. - School IT Departments: A pro tip suggests checking with a school’s IT department to see what software is available. Many universities have seat licenses that allow students to use expensive software packages for free, similar to borrowing a book from the library. An example given is the free software page for University of Pittsburgh students.
Free Food and Drink
The sources indicate that students can access free food and drinks through several avenues, including showing a student ID, joining loyalty programs, or using specific apps.
Restaurant and Fast Food Offers - Chick-fil-A: It is reported that college students can get a free drink with their meal by showing their student ID and asking about the freebie. Additionally, the Chick-fil-A One rewards app allows users to earn points for orders, which can be redeemed for rewards like free food and birthday perks. - General Advice: The sources note that many quick-service restaurants offer region-specific free drinks, discounts, or other perks. It is recommended to ask directly, as these offers can change frequently.
Campus-Based Opportunities - A pro tip suggests that schools often hand out free food at least once a week. Students are advised to ask a teacher or check their college’s social media accounts and website calendars to find these events.
Memberships and Professional Organisations
College students can often obtain free memberships to professional organisations, which provide benefits such as access to job boards, mentoring, and networking events.
- The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA): As the world’s largest membership association for the accounting profession, it offers a free Student Affiliate membership, granting access to tools and resources.
- The American Planning Association (APA): The largest membership organisation for professional planners, the APA allows students to join for free.
- The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE): This organisation provides free membership to students.
- The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): Promotes knowledge exchange within the upstream oil and gas industry and offers membership benefits.
Financial and Discount Programmes
The sources discuss various financial tools and discount programmes, though many are specific to the US market.
Discount Verification Services - Student Advantage: This is noted as no longer selling discount memberships. - Student Beans: A free service used to confirm student status for discounts. It is increasingly used by companies. - UNiDAYS: Similar to Student Beans, UNiDAYS is a free service where students confirm their status by logging into their university account or using their university email to access discounts and cashback rewards.
Clothing Discounts (via UNiDAYS/Student Beans) A list of brands offering student discounts is provided, but these are specific to the US market and may not apply in the UK. Examples include: - Adidas (up to 15% off) - Aeropostale (15% off via UNiDAYS) - Aerie (20% off via UNiDAYS) - ASOS (10% off) - boohoo (up to 30% off) - Champion (up to 10% off online) - Club Monaco (15% off online and in-store) - Converse (20% off) - Crocs (25% off via StudentBeans) - Dockers (25% off) - Dr. Martens (15% off online) - Hanes (up to 10% off online)
COVID-19 Specific Offers (US Focused) During the coronavirus pandemic, some US-based companies offered specific support for students: - Com Comcast Xfinity: Offered free use of outdoor and public Wi-Fi hotspots, unlimited data at no extra charge, and paused shutoffs or late fees for customers facing hardship. - Spectrum: Provided free internet and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to new Pre-K to 12, college student, and teacher households without existing service, and waived startup fees. - Edquity: Offered emergency aid and basic needs insecurity technology for college students. - US Department of Education: Announced temporary changes to federal student loans, including setting interest rates to 0% for at least 60 days for borrowers with federally held loans.
Additional Resources and Tools
- FreeCash, Earn Haus, KingOpinion, Swagbucks: These platforms are listed as ways for students to earn money by testing games, using apps, taking surveys, and watching videos. Payouts and bonuses are mentioned, but specific terms and reliability are not detailed in the source chunks.
- HealthyWage: A platform that pays users for meeting weight loss goals, with potential payouts up to $10,000.
- LuncBox App: An app mentioned as potentially free for students to use. The source suggests it couldn't hurt to ask a school to purchase its services.
- Textbooks: The cost of textbooks is highlighted as a significant expense for students. Free college textbook resources are mentioned as a category, but specific sources or methods are not detailed in the provided chunks.
Conclusion
The provided source material outlines a variety of free resources and discount opportunities available to college students, primarily in the United States. These include free software for productivity and development, budgeting and investment apps, potential access to free food on campus or through specific restaurant rewards programmes, and free memberships to professional organisations. Additionally, discount verification services like Student Beans and UNiDAYS are mentioned for accessing brand-specific offers.
For UK-based college students, it is crucial to understand that many of the specific brands, software licences, and COVID-19 relief programmes listed are US-centric. UK students should verify the availability of similar offers through their own university IT departments, UK-specific student discount platforms, and direct inquiries with local retailers and service providers. The core principle of seeking out student-specific benefits, whether through official educational channels, loyalty apps, or professional organisations, remains a valuable strategy for managing college expenses.