Being a college student comes with more than just late-night study sessions and coffee-fueled mornings; it also includes access to an impressive range of student benefits. From tech discounts to free career services, these advantages can stretch your budget, elevate your college experience, and support your success throughout your academic journey.However, many college students don’t know that these resources and perks exist. If you or a loved one is thinking about college enrollment, here are five hidden college students benefits that are often overlooked but well worth taking advantage of during your time on campus.
Exclusive Student Benefits On Lifestyle And Tech
Many popular brands offer exclusive deals just for students, and these discounts can make a real difference to your monthly spending. This includes clothing and company brands, tech and electronics, and even streaming and entertainment services.
If you’re not sure where to begin with these exciting student benefits, consider:
Researching online clothing and shoe retailers to see if they offer any student discounts or special student-only promos during back-to-school season.
Asking electronics suppliers if they offer student pricing on laptops and tablets.
Looking into discounted monthly rates for student accounts on entertainment services like Spotify, Apple Music, Hulu, and more.
Signing up for reduced rates on services like YouTube Premium and Prime Student - Exploring the area you plan to attend college in to see if local movie theaters and live events offer student pricing.
To unlock these free or discounted college student benefits, you’ll simply need to verify your student status. This can be done by signing up with a .edu email account, or by showing your student ID. It’s a great way to unlock big savings on everyday essentials.
Access To Free college Student Benefits
One of the most valuable perks of being a college student is access to free or heavily discounted online tools and academic software. This can be a great way to save some money while still taking advantage of tools aimed at helping you succeed in your college education. Some of the top freebies and discounts out there include:
Microsoft Office 365: Some schools and universities offer free subscriptions including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Google Workspace for Education: A free suite of tools including Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, and more.
Adobe Creative Cloud: Heavily discounted rates for students using Photoshop, Illustrator, and other design tools.
LinkedIn Learning: Free access through your university library or student portal may be available.
These free and heavily discounted college student benefits can help streamline your assignments, research, and even help you in your job search as you get ready to graduate.
Free Gym and Wellness Programs for College Students
Your tuition may also include free or low-cost access to on-campus health and wellness resources. All you have to do is ask! Some popular campus wellness perks out there include fully equipped fitness centers, wellness counseling services, and access to mental health resources.Some colleges may also offer fitness reimbursement programs or partner with local gyms. Be sure to check with your campus wellness center to see what is available to you.
Career Development Opportunities
Planning your career might feel overwhelming, but many schools offer built-in support designed specifically for students. When you succeed, your university succeeds, so they are here to help you look beyond your college education and get a game plan together for what’s next.Some of the key career benefits you may find at your college or university include:
Free or highly subsidized career counseling and one-on-one sessions to plan your job or grad school path.
Resume and cover letter reviews by professionals
Access to interview coaching and career development workshops
Internship and job portals exclusive to your school
Networking events, virtual career fairs, and alumni meetups
These college student benefits can help you gain confidence and connections before graduation. Your school’s career center is a valuable starting point here, so be sure to visit them and see what resources they offer.
Transportation And Travel Perks
Traveling as a student doesn’t have to drain your wallet. From daily commutes to holiday trips, there are often deals tailored just for you. Many universities (or the cities these universities are in) can offer discounted public transit passes for buses, subways, or commuter trains. Mass transit can be an affordable reality for college students thanks to these partnerships!
Another way you can save on transportation is through campus bike-share programs or by signing up for special rates for student parking permits. If you don’t have a car or bike, ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft may offer student-specific codes or discounts, so be sure to look into that before you request a ride!
Finally, student travel platforms like StudentUniverse or STA Travel may offer lower airfare for enrolled students. You can also find student fares and promotions through transportation companies like Amtrak and Greyhound. Before your next trip, be sure to check if your student ID unlocks extra savings.
Protecting Your College Investment Can Benefit You!
Being a student comes with a surprising number of perks, many of which can save you real money and time. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your resume, book a cheap flight, or upgrade your laptop, there’s likely a free college student benefit out there to help.
While you're organizing your student life, it's also worth considering added protection through tuition and renters' insurance to help plan for unexpected situations. The GradGuard Renters Protection Plan may help safeguard your belongings on and off campus, saving you time (and a headache!) if something happens. It can protect a variety of personal property damage from theft to fire and other covered perils. Similarly, tuition insurance can help protect your investment in education in the event of a covered withdrawal.* This is an extra step worth looking into as you explore all the hidden perks a college student can find as they complete their education.
College life moves fast—make sure you’re taking advantage of everything available to you.
*Terms, conditions, and exclusions (including pre-existing conditions) apply.
