9 Great Discounts You Can Get With a Student I.D.

Going to college isn’t cheap. Between supplies, housing, food, and (of course) tuition, the cost of a higher education can run high. However, there is something that can help give college students relief when it comes to buying the things they need: their student I.D.

From retailers to restaurants, there are countless businesses out there that are willing to offer students a discount to help ease their financial strain. So, with that in mind, here are some of the deals out there available for students.

Tech Made Affordable

If you’re looking for a new laptop, you may want to look into capitalizing on Apple’s student discount. Apple offers up to $200 off on Macs and $20 off iPads for students or anyone purchasing for educational purchases. They also offer free two-day delivery and special financing options for up to 48 months.

Adobe also offers a pretty solid deal for students seeking access to their creative software. Students are given a 60% off discount for their creative cloud service (starting price is $19.99 a month), providing them unlimited access to the entire Adobe library of programs (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc). You can use your school-issued email address, student I.D., report card, transcript, or copy of a tuition bill or statement as proof of eligibility.

Microsoft also offers some interesting deals for students. You can save 10% on your order from the Microsoft store and may also be able to gain access to Microsoft Office software for free (depending upon your school). It’s also worth mentioning that Microsoft offers free access to coding software for students.

Subscriptions for Less

If you’re the type of student who constantly turns to the Internet for your shopping, it might be worth your while to look into Amazon Student. For $49 a year, you get access to the Amazon Prime service (normally $99), which includes free two-day shipping on qualified orders from the site, access to Amazon video and music (available after a 6-month free trial), and exclusive deals for college students. Amazon also has an extensive textbook renting, buying and selling service.

Students that are looking to get the latest news might also want to check out discounts offered by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and The Economist. Each of these publications offers students digital access to their stories for roughly a dollar a week.

Transportation Made Easy

Insurance can be one of the costliest expenses college students face, but thankfully a number of major insurance companies offer generous discounts, ranging anywhere from 15% to 25% off annual premiums. Many tie academic performance to the qualification promise though, so you’re going to want to be sure to keep up your grades!

If you’re traveling long distance for school, however, it might be worth your while to take a look at Amtrak or Greyhound’s discounts. For $20 a year, Amtrak offers a Student Advantage Card to riders 16 years or older. Cardholders are eligible to receive a 10% discount off adult rail fare and can access Amtrak’s rewards program. Alternatively, Greyhound offers a discount card good for 20% off travel fare and 40% off shipping that also costs $20 a year (plus postage).

Of course, discounts aren’t the only way you can find financial relief in college. A well-constructed budget or a part-time side hustle can both go a long way in easing the strain of educational expenses and subsequent student loan debt. (You can see how student loan debt may be affecting your credit score by viewing your free credit report card each month on Credit.com.) With some solid financial planning and a little elbow grease, you can enjoy college life without worrying too much about being short on cash.