You may not realize it, but your college ID can get you way more than just access to the campus library or gym.
If there is anything college students understand, it is that ramen and mac & cheese are among the cheapest ways to survive four years of higher education. Now, if there is anything capitalism knows, it is that broke college students are the perfect target audience. Luckily, that works in your favor. Discover a world of discounts, freebies, and services your college ID unlocks that will make your life a little easier (and tastier, too!)
Here is a guide to some of the best perks your college ID can get you:
Food and Drinks
Ditch the cup noodles and microwave mac & cheese, and use these discounts wisely.
DoorDash: Student DashPass Plan at $4.99/month ($5 off the regular price!).
Home Chef: Enjoy 50% off your first four boxes, which is basically a free 18 meals if you verify your eligibility status with Student Beans.
Fast Food: Locations like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, McDonald’s, Subway, Dunkin’, and Taco Bell offer student discounts (usually 10%). Carry your ID with you whenever you hit up these places!
Pizza: Papa John’s, Domino’s, and Pizza Hut also have deals for students. Check out your local pizzeria to see if they have special offers as well!
Streaming Accounts
Enjoy your favorite music ad-free and binge-watch your favorite shows while your homework piles up on the side.
Disney+ Bundle: Offers 15% off on annual ad-supported plans.
HBO Max: Save 50% with their HBO Max Basic with Ads for $4.99/month.
Paramount+: For $3.99/month, enjoy over 40k of shows and movies.
Peacock: “Love Island” Fan? Stream all seasons on Peacock for just $2.99/month
Amazon Prime: Everything you desire is free for the first six months, and then $7.49/month
YouTube Premium: Want a break from YouTube ads? Stream ad-free videos and music for $7.99/month
Spotify: Offers an ad-free subscription for $4.99/month
Apple One (Student): A bundle of Apple Music and Apple TV+ for $5.99/month
Clothing
7:45am classes are not for the weak, but with these discounts, you can show up in style, and maybe people will overlook the dark bags under your eyes.
Stores that offer up to 10% off:
Nike
H&M
The North Face
Asos
Stores that offer up to 15% off:
Adidas
Aeropostale
J.Crew
Meshki
Stores that offer up to 20% off:
1-800 Contacts
Aerie
Calvin Klein (only select items)
Stanley
Stores that offer the rare but sweet 50% off:
Target
Walmart+
Technology
Perfect your craft with these software and tech discounts!
Adobe Creative Cloud: 66% off for students and teachers on Adobe Creative Cloud.
Microsoft: Variety of deals for students, such as 50% off Office 365 Personal, free access to Microsoft Teams, and up to 10% off select items.
Samsung: Sign up for the Education Offers Program and receive up to 30% off select products.
Apple: Do not forget to check out year-round deals on Macs, iPads, accessories, and AppleCare. Keep an eye out for that “Education Pricing” tag!
Beauty and Spa
Self-care should always be a priority.
Metro Nails (Fox Point): Friendly, affordable, and college-student budget-friendly.
Citron Spa (Wayland): A Brazilian wax for $48 with your ID.
Harmony on Hope Massage (College Hill): Massages, Reiki, and more covered for your student discount.
J&J Nails & Spa (Wanskuck): 20% discount for students.
Insurance
40-minute commute to campus? Let your grades and student status save you money.
Allstate: Discounted rates for full-time students under 25.
American Family: A B average or higher for ages 16-25 can get you the “Good Student” discount.
Farmers: Student discount for full-time students under 25 with solid grades/test scores.
Geico: 15% off for full-time students.
Nationwide: Discounts for students ages 16-24 with a B average or higher.
Progressive: Discounts for students under 23 with good grades or living 100+ miles from home.
State Farm: Like a good neighbor, State Farm offers lower rates for students under 25 with good grades, distance from home, or driver training
(Pro tip: Good grades equal lower rates!)
Bonus Perk: Travel
22 years old and still no license? Not to worry, because with these deals, you can move around in style and not have to worry about being anyone’s DD.
RIPTA: Many universities offer free or discounted rides through the University Pass (U-PASS) Program. Students should contact the school administrator or the school ID office for more details.
Amtrak: Ages 17-24 get 15% off trips booked at least a day in advance. Use V814 in the app if it does not automatically apply when eligible.
Uber: Save on rides and get food with Uber One for Students or occasional promo codes.
Lyft: Some schools offer free or discounted rides through Lyft Pass or Ride Smart. Check with your campus to see if they are partnered with Lyft!
Looking for more hacks into the system? No worries because the list does not stop here! For even more discounts and deals, check out UniDays and Student Beans websites. These two platforms are designed to connect you to all the online perks your student ID can unlock.
If you think surviving on ramen is the best choice, remember that your college ID is essentially your golden ticket.
Photo by Mara Hagen and Olivia Lunger