College represents a significant financial investment for students, and many organisations recognise this by offering exclusive freebies and discounts to those with a valid student ID. These offers span digital software, entertainment subscriptions, banking services, and retail discounts. The following information, drawn from verified sources, outlines the types of free products and services available to students, the eligibility requirements, and the typical redemption processes. It is important to note that the availability and terms of these offers are subject to change, and students should always verify current details directly with the provider before making any commitments.
Many of the free offers are tied to a student's institutional email address or require proof of enrolment, such as a student ID card, transcript, or tuition statement. For digital services, verification often occurs automatically through platforms like UNiDAYS or Student Beans, which confirm student status by linking to a university account or email. Other offers may require direct submission of documentation to the provider. The value of these freebies can be substantial, particularly for software and subscriptions that would otherwise incur monthly or annual costs.
Free Software and Digital Tools
Students frequently require specialised software for coursework, budgeting, and productivity. Several major software providers offer free access to their suites for students at eligible institutions.
Microsoft Office 365 Education is available for free to students at eligible institutions who possess a valid college email address. The package includes core applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. This offer provides a full-featured office suite at no cost, which is a significant saving compared to commercial licences.
Similarly, Google Sheets is part of the free, web-based Google Docs Editors suite offered by Google. This service is widely used by students and educational organisations to enhance productivity. As a cloud-based solution, it allows for collaboration and access from any device with an internet connection.
For students in coding and development, JetBrains provides free access for learning or teaching purposes. Eligibility requires enrolment in an accredited educational programme. JetBrains offers a range of integrated development environments (IDEs) for various programming languages, which are typically expensive for individual licences.
LastPass offers a premium membership free for six months to students. This service manages passwords and provides unlimited sync to unlimited devices, including smartphones and tablets, helping students maintain security across multiple platforms.
You Need a Budget (YNAB) provides its budgeting software free for an entire year. To redeem this offer, students must email proof of their status, such as a copy of a student ID card, transcript, or tuition statement. YNAB is designed to teach money management and help tackle student loan debt.
Entertainment and Media Subscriptions
Access to media and entertainment is another area where students can benefit from free trials and discounted rates.
Amazon Prime offers a six-month free trial for students, which includes free two-day shipping on over 100 million items, unlimited streaming of Prime movies and TV shows, unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos, and 20% off pre-order and new release video games. After the six-month trial, students are automatically enrolled in Prime Student at 50% off the regular rate. This trial is available for new members only. As part of signing up for the Amazon Prime trial, students also gain access to six months of The Washington Post online for free.
Spotify provides a one-month free trial for students. After the trial period, the subscription costs £4.99 per month. This offer is available to students, though the specific verification method is not detailed in the provided source material.
YouTube Premium offers a one-month free trial, granting ad-free access to YouTube videos. After the trial, the subscription costs £6.99 per month. This service also includes background play and access to YouTube Music.
Banking and Financial Services
Several financial institutions offer student-specific accounts with no monthly fees and other benefits.
U.S. Bank Student Checking Account is a basic account with online and mobile banking features. It has no monthly maintenance fee, though a £2 paper statement fee applies unless the student enrolls in e-statements. The account is designed specifically for students.
Current Card provides an all-in-one digital banking experience with a payment account and debit card that functions like a checking account. It offers fee-free withdrawals at 40,000 Allpoint ATMs in the United States. Students can access this service, which is designed to help manage cash and grow financial futures.
Chime Account allows students to handle various banking tasks through its app, including depositing checks, paying bills, and sending money. There is no minimum deposit required to open an account, and no monthly service fees or per-transaction charges are applied. The only fee is an out-of-network ATM fee of £2.50.
Goodbudget is a free budgeting app that uses the envelope method to help students set aside money for monthly expenses like groceries or car payments. A free version of the app is available, with a paid version offering additional features.
Acorns is an investment app that automatically invests spare change. It is designed for students who may not have large sums to invest initially but wish to grow their money over time.
Retail and Lifestyle Discounts
While the primary focus of the source material is on free software and services, there are also mentions of retail discounts that students can access, often through platforms like UNiDAYS or Student Beans, which verify student status.
UNiDAYS and Student Beans are platforms used by companies to confirm student status, typically by logging into a university account or using a university email address. Through these platforms, students can access discounts and cashback rewards from various retailers. It is noted that Student Advantage, a previous discount membership service, is no longer selling memberships, and companies are increasingly using UNiDAYS or Student Beans instead.
Specific retail discounts mentioned 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 for actively enrolled college students. - 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.
It is important to confirm these discounts before making a purchase, as they change frequently. The source material advises that while efforts are made to keep lists up to date, it is extremely difficult, and students should always verify the current discount with the retailer or through the verification platform.
Physical Freebies and Other Perks
Beyond digital services and discounts, some organisations offer physical freebies to students.
Passport Booth offers a free student ID photo. Students can take their own photo using the Passport Booth website or app and then print it at a nearby store for a low cost. This allows students to get a photo they like for their student ID.
BoardVitals offers a free t-shirt to medical or nursing students. To qualify, students need a verifiable school email address. The t-shirts feature slogans such as “trust me, I’m almost a doctor” or “trust me, I’m almost a nurse.”
The source material also mentions that students can get free general admission to certain museums, such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), by presenting a valid college ID from participating universities. However, this is specific to certain institutions and is not a universal offer for all students.
Furthermore, the source material references platforms like Drop, which links to debit or credit cards and gives points for shopping, which can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Netflix, and Starbucks. While not exclusively for students, it is presented as a way for students to earn rewards for activities they already perform.
Conclusion
Students with a valid ID have access to a wide array of freebies and discounts, primarily focused on digital software, entertainment subscriptions, and banking services. The most valuable offers include free access to Microsoft Office 365 Education, Amazon Prime for six months, and budgeting software like You Need a Budget for a year. Retail discounts are often accessed through student verification platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans, though these discounts are subject to frequent change. Physical freebies, such as t-shirts and student ID photos, are also available from specific providers. To successfully redeem these offers, students must typically provide proof of enrolment, often through a university email address or official documentation. It is crucial for students to verify the current terms and availability of each offer directly with the provider, as details can change without notice.