9 Great Discounts Students May Not Know They Can Get

Between tuition, textbooks, and room and board, the cost of higher education adds up quickly. Fortunately, there are plenty of businesses and institutions that are more than willing to give students a break. Here are some places where your student ID can get you a discount.

1. MUSEUMS

Don’t let the regular admissions price discourage you from visiting museums in your community. Many museums make themselves more accessible to younger guests by offering generous discounts or waiving ticket fees all together. Of all the ways to take advantage of your student status, this will make your professors most proud.

2. STREAMING MUSIC

A streaming study playlist is essential during finals week. Before signing up for a digital music subscription, see if there are any deals for student listeners. Some of the most popular streaming services offer commercial-free music for students at up to half off the regular monthly price.

3. NEWSPAPERS

Continue your education outside the classroom by subscribing to a newspaper. Some of the country’s most respected papers will give you a steep discount as long as you have an email address on an .edu domain. And you don’t need to commit to receiving the actual paper every day to benefit from the deal: Many publications have a special student discount just for digital subscriptions.

4. MOVIES

If you ever want to catch a movie, find a place where you can do it affordably. Your local movie spot, whether it’s an art theater or a massive cineplex, might take anything from a dollar to several bucks off the regular ticket price for students. At some places the discount is the same every day of the week, while others offer special student nights.

5. RETAIL OUTLETS

Don’t go shopping for a new back-to-school wardrobe before researching student discounts at your favorite stores. Even if they don’t advertise it, many clothing retailers offer reduced prices to shoppers who show their student IDs. Standard discounts at fashion outlets tend to run from 10 percent to 20 percent. When you find the right price, make your purchase more rewarding by using a credit card that will generate cash back rewards for you. Discover it Student Cash Back card will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year as a cardmember.*

6. FAST FOOD

Take a break from eating instant ramen in your dorm room and treat yourself to a discounted meal. Many chain restaurants will take a chunk out of your bill if you’re a student—sometimes as much as 20 percent. Other places offer special student deals such as free drinks with the purchase of food.

7. ELECTRONICS

Electronics are something almost every student needs—and they also account for some of the most expensive purchases students have to make. A lot of big tech companies and electronics retailers give discounts on phones, tablets, and laptops to student buyers. If you need a computer to do your schoolwork, buying one with your student ID could potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

8. CAR INSURANCE

Car insurance is usually more expensive for drivers just starting out—unless you’re a good student. If you maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher or if you’re on the Dean’s List, you can send your report card to your car insurance company and see your monthly rates drop. Just make sure to keep up your performance in the classroom if you want to keep your bill manageable.

9. TRANSPORTATION

Traveling home just got a whole lot easier. When you buy a ticket home from a bus or train company, you can often use your student ID to pay less than the full price. Now the only thing stopping you from leaving town is your workload.

Seeking out a good deal or discount can help with your finances. With Discover’s Student Card, it can help with earning cashback because they will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year as a cardmember, dollar for dollar.

*Learn more at Discover.