Student life can be challenging. With education costs continually rising, many students find their budgets stretched thin. Finding ways to save money is therefore crucial. Fortunately, students today have access to a wealth of special offers and free trials—from essential productivity tools to music streaming services and even discounts on food delivery.
Major online retailers and tech companies also run excellent back-to-school promotions, helping you save on the essentials for the academic year. Explore our curated lists below for the best free trials, discounts, and student deals currently available.
Free Trials and Discounts on Services for Students
3 months freeMicrosoft Office 365
0$9.99 save 50%$4.99 at Microsoft
Adobe Creative Cloud Pro (Monthly Subscription)
1$69.99 save 57%$29.99 at Adobe
6 months freeAmazon Prime Student Subscription
0$14.99 save 50%$7.49 at Amazon
1 month freeApple Music (Student Plan)
0$10.99 save 45%$5.99 at Apple
6 months freeSpotify Premium (for Students)
0$11.99 save 50%$5.99 at Spotify
30-day free trialTidal Student Plan
0$10.99 save 50%$5.49 at Tidal
Free Amazon Gift CardNordVPN 2-Year Plan
0See it at NordVPN
AMC Student Pricing
0See it at AMC
DoorDash DashPass for Students
0$9.99 save 50%$4.99 at DoorDashNo matter your field of study, a Microsoft Office 365 subscription is often a necessity. While some institutions provide it for free, if you need to purchase it yourself, Microsoft offers a monthly plan for just $5 after an initial three-month free trial.
Students who need access to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, or other creative applications can get Adobe Creative Cloud Pro for $30 per month. This plan grants unlimited access to over 20 apps, with automatic cloud backup and synchronization across all your devices.
An Amazon Prime membership is incredibly useful for college, allowing you to order practically anything with free two-day shipping. New members can sign up for Prime Student, which includes a six-month free trial and a permanent 50% discount on the standard rate. The subscription also includes access to Prime Video, doubling as a streaming service trial.
While not strictly essential for coursework, a music streaming subscription is a popular student comfort. Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal all provide free trials and discounted student plans to help you save. For TV and movie streaming options, check out our guide to the best streaming discounts for students.
Shopping for Students
Apple Education Store
0See it at Apple
Best Buy Student Hub
0See it at Best Buy
Target College Deals
0See it at Target
Dell Student Discounts
0See it at Dell
HP Education Program
0See it at HP
Lenovo Education
0See it at Lenovo
Logitech Student Discounts
0See it at Logitech
Microsoft Education Discounts
0See it at Microsoft
Samsung Education Offer Program
0See it at Samsung
Razer Education Purchase Program
0See it at Razer
Verizon Student Offers
0See it at VerizonHeading to college means you'll likely need a reliable laptop or tablet for assignments, research, and exams. Leading tech retailers and manufacturers offer excellent back-to-school deals to help you get the gear you need at the best price. Many of these student discount programs operate year-round, so it's worth bookmarking their pages for future purchases. For those interested in gaming, a gaming laptop can be a powerful option that handles both demanding school applications and entertainment.
If you need guidance on what to buy, consider the following resources:
Best Laptops for StudentsBest iPads for StudentsBest Prebuilt PCs for StudentsBest Chromebooks for Students
Do you need to be a student to get discounts?
Typically, yes. These promotions are intended for currently enrolled college or university students. Many companies require verification, often through an active .edu email address, before activating the discount.
That said, if you have a family member or friend in college, you might be able to use their school email to access certain offers. Some retailers have minimal or no verification, allowing broader access to their special student pricing throughout the year.
