Spending and Saving

Discounts for Students, Past and Present

Maybe it’s been years since the last time you sat in the back row of Econ 101. But if you’ve still got that old student ID card tucked away in a drawer somewhere, then today’s your lucky day.

That’s because college co-eds aren’t the only ones taking advantage of student discounts anymore. With money getting tight in households across the country, an increasing number of budget-conscious parents are unabashedly asking for student discounts on purchases made for their children, while more and more recent grads are holding on tight to college ID cards that haven’t expired and using them to score freebies and discounts well into their twenties and beyond.

Major companies are getting in on the action, too, with the understanding that offering student discounts is an easy—and cheap—way to lure more customers in the door. More than just campus bookstores and burger joints, companies like JetBlue, Apple, and Adobe, to name a few, are all offering nationwide student discounts as of late.

Companies like JetBlue, Apple, and Adobe, to name a few, are all offering nationwide student discounts as of late.

JetBlue: The airline offers an 11 percent discount on airfares to anyone with an ID card from ISIC (International Student Identity Card) for any travel through January 26, 2010. For the uninitiated, the ISIC card is an internationally accepted student ID that anyone enrolled in an accredited institution can purchase for $22 a year.

Apple: With its “Education Pricing” discount, Apple offers special prices on select computers, software, and third party products to college students, along with teachers, administrators, staff and board members at schools across the country. To qualify, purchases must meet a long list of eligibility rules and requirements, which they can be found on Apple’s website.

Microsoft: Students with a valid university e-mail address and proof of enrollment at an accredited U.S. academic institution are eligible for dozens of discounts of up to 87 percent off on Microsoft products, from computers to software applications and even mp3 players.

AT&T: Students and teachers at participating universities are eligible for discounted services—usually around 15 percent off—on select AT&T wireless plans. To qualify, all you’ll need is a valid email address from a qualifying university or school.

Adobe: The ubiquitous software company offers up to an 80 percent discount on student editions of Photoshop and other popular programs to any full or part-time student enrolled in accredited university or community college. Purchases must be made online or through select retailers—like campus outlets—to get the discount.

AMC Theaters: Thursdays are “Student Day” at the theater chain, where anyone with a valid student ID can get in for a discounted rate at participating theaters across the country.

Staples: The office-supply store’s Higher Education Division maintains special offers for current students, school faculty, and members of certain alumni associations who register on StaplesLink.com. For students and alumni, special discounts are available based on the contract prices set with your university. Faculty and staff, meanwhile, are eligible for quarterly discounts on personal products.

David Barton Gyms: The uber-trendy gym chain offers a “Student Rate“—which varies, but generally takes around $25 a month off the standard membership—for co-eds at its six locations in New York, Miami, and Chicago.

To find out about even more student discounts, just ask. Many retailers offer deals that aren’t advertised.

Tags: savings, student discounts, students