For most people, a student ID is something you have to carry around for four years in order to get into the dining halls and dorms around campus.
However, that ID is more worthwhile than you might think. Make a habit of keeping it with you even while you’re off-campus because in many places it is a way of getting discounts and benefits.
Since you’re already paying to go to school, you might as well take full advantage of these student discounts. Offers will vary by location, so call ahead if you want to make sure a student discount is available.
Entertainment
Movies are a great way to relax and hang out with friends, but tickets, snacks and drinks all add up to a pretty expensive night. Student discounts at theaters help reduce those costs for a fun, cheap way to go out. AMC Theaters offer student discount prices on tickets on Thursdays at participating locations. Some locations offer $2 off of ticket prices even for 3-D movies.
Cinemark and Regal Theaters also offer different discounts for students. On certain days in certain locations, Cinemark offers $7 tickets to students. Other theaters may also offer discounts. When in doubt just show your student ID when you buy tickets.
Certain sporting events also offer student discounts. Some NHL and MLB teams have student specials for games.
If you’ve always wanted to go to a professional sporting event but are worried about pricing, call the ticket office and mention that you’re a student to get a special rate. The St. Louis Blues, for example, have student nights with tickets as low as $25 with a valid student ID. The Blues even have a representative for Truman who can help you get the best price.
Retail
Building a wardrobe that is more than just sweats and shirts with the name of the school on them is a necessary but costly endeavor. Having nice or professional clothes on hand is a good practice for future internships, jobs or even just meeting up with your grandparents.
The good news is that plenty of stores are willing to help students out with the price of new clothes. Banana Republic is a good place to look for professional clothes and they offer a 15 percent discount with a student ID for full-priced items in the store. J. Crew is another place that has a 15 percent discount in store. Madewell and Ann Taylor are good for fashion forward, but decidedly adult clothing, and they both offer 15 percent off.
For more casual or fun events, ASOS, Charlotte Russe and Topshop have student discounts. Charlotte Russe is 10 percent in stores, ASOS is 10 percent online, and Topshop is 10 percent in stores or online. Even Goodwill offers student discounts in certain locations. Shopping on a budget couldn’t be easier.
Technology
If you love having the latest tech gear but hate paying full price, a student ID can also help. Apple offers large discounts for students on most of their devices. If you have an .edu email, you can get up to $200 off on new technology. Adobe and Microsoft offer student discounts on their most popular software as well. Best Buy also has a student deals program for all your technology needs.
Music lovers should check out Spotify’s student deals. Spotify’s premium membership is half the price of the normal subscription for students at $4.99 a month. Amazon offers a student deal that could easily be used for just about anything due to the large scope of the website. Students get a discounted rate on an Amazon Prime account that gives members free two-day shipping and access to the streaming library of music, movies and TV shows.
Food
The deals offered at most food places will vary depending on location, but it can’t hurt to try. Participating Chick-fil-A restaurants will give you a free drink with your order if you show a student ID. Some locations for Chiptole and Qdoba have the same deal with a purchase of a meal. Arby’s and Burger King offer 10 percent off of your whole order if you show an ID.
For those looking for a healthy, but affordable option, participating Subway locations offer a 10 percent discount to students. For a well-deserved treat after studying, participating Dairy Queens also offer 10 percent off of blizzards or cones. For delivery, Pizza Hut often offers 10 to 20 percent off with a student ID. Some Papa John’s and Domino’s locations have various deals for students as well.
Attractions and Travel
Student IDs can even get discounts at places like museums, aquariums and other attractions.
The Denver Art Museum offers $2–3 off of admission with a valid ID. The museum also has a monthly party on the last Friday of January through October called Untitled Final Fridays, with food, music and art workshops. Students can get two tickets for the price of one. The New England Aquarium also gives $2 off of admission for students. The Art Institute of Chicago offers student memberships for $50, and famous wax museum Madame Tussauds offers students a 15 percent discount on admission at all of their U.S. locations.
For students looking to go somewhere new, a $20 Student Advantage card offers travel discounts with Amtrak and Greyhound. Card members get 20 percent off of Greyhound tickets and 10 percent for Amtrak tickets if they are booked online.
All these discounts make that student ID a lot more valuable. Money savvy students will keep it with them at all times — there’s no telling when the opportunity for a sweet deal will arrive.