Comprehensive Guide To College Student Freebies And Discounts In 2025

College is expensive, and students deserve some perks. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to score free stuff for college students across various categories including software, online resources, financial services, and more. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best exclusive college freebies and discounts available to help students save money on essential expenses.

Financial Freebies and Rewards

Many platforms offer college students opportunities to earn money or rewards through various activities. These services can provide much-needed supplemental income or discounts on everyday purchases.

• FreeCash: This platform allows users to earn money by testing games, using apps, and taking surveys. It reportedly offers highest payouts, instant cashouts, and daily bonuses. Students can sign up for free to access these earning opportunities.

• Earn Haus: Users can earn up to $25 per survey, with payment processed the same day through PayPal, Venmo, or check. This service provides a relatively quick way for students to earn money.

• InboxDollars: Students can earn money for watching videos, shopping online, and taking surveys—essentially getting paid for activities they might already do. New sign-ups receive a $5 bonus.

• KingOpinion: This platform offers payment of up to $210 per survey, though specific participation requirements are not detailed in the source material.

• Swagbucks: With over $900 million paid out to users, this platform offers a $10 sign-up bonus and additional opportunities to earn by watching videos, taking surveys, and more.

Educational Resources and Software

Educational expenses represent a significant portion of college costs, but many free and discounted resources are available to help students save.

Free College Textbooks

Textbook costs can be a major financial burden for college students. While specific platforms for free textbooks aren't detailed in the source material, the information suggests that many resources exist to help students access textbooks at reduced or no cost.

Microsoft Office

Students at eligible institutions with a valid college email address can receive Office 365 Education for free, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. This software suite is essential for academic work and represents significant savings compared to retail versions.

Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a spreadsheet program included as part of the free, web-based Google Docs Editors suite offered by Google. This service is widely used by students and educational organizations to improve productivity.

Online Learning Platforms

• Coursera: Students can take several select courses for free. Unlimited access to the entire site costs $399 per year.

• Skillshare: New users receive a 1-month free trial. After that period, the service costs $13.99 per month, billed annually.

Career Development Services

Building professional skills and experience is crucial for college students, and several services offer free resources to help with career development.

• Handshake: This free platform is specifically designed for college students to find internships and jobs relevant to their major. Students can sign up using their school-provided email and browse job boards or connect with recruiters. The service also provides interview tips, resume and cover letter help, job role explanations, and career paths to explore.

• The Ladders: Students can submit their resumes for a free analysis from career experts. This service offers pointers to improve resumes and increase chances of landing jobs, particularly valuable since many similar services charge for resume reviews.

Banking and Financial Services

Many financial institutions offer special programs for college students to help manage money more effectively.

• Free Student Checking Bank Accounts: Several banks offer free checking for students, including Discover Bank, which has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee for online banking. Online banks often provide better deals with higher interest rates, lower fees, and low or no minimum balance requirements.

Entertainment and Leisure Discounts

College students can enjoy various entertainment options at reduced rates through special discounts.

• AMC Theaters: Discounts are available at AMC Theaters, though the specific discount amount varies by location. These discounts are reportedly offered every day of the week.

• Art Institute of Chicago: While specific details aren't provided, this institution offers student discounts, though the exact percentage or terms are not specified in the source material.

Travel Discounts

Getting around can be expensive, but several transportation providers offer discounts for college students.

• Amtrak: Students receive 15% off Amtrak tickets in certain regions across the USA. The discount is automatically applied when qualifying travel is selected, or students can use the Amtrak app and enter code V307 when booking.

• General Motors: Qualified students and recent graduates can receive $500 off select Chevrolet vehicles and 90 days of deferred payments.

• New Jersey Transit: Students of colleges under the University Partnership Program get 25% off NJ Transit monthly rates.

• University Transport: Many colleges offer complimentary shuttle services for students commuting between campus and residential areas. Students should consult their university to explore transportation options.

• Zipcar: Students receive special Zipcar driving rates of $9.50 per hour or $79 per day, providing affordable transportation options without the costs of car ownership.

Telecommunications Discounts

Staying connected is essential for college students, and several telecom companies offer discounted rates.

• AT&T: Eligible students can save $10 per month per line on AT&T's unlimited plan, with additional benefits available based on the student's school or university.

• Verizon Wireless: Students can save up to $25 on Verizon Unlimited mobile service. The discount includes $10 per month off for one line or $25 per month off for two lines on 5G Unlimited plans.

Retail Discounts

Many retailers offer special discounts for college students, which can result in significant savings on clothing, electronics, and other essentials.

• Adidas: Students can unlock special varying discount rates and free shipping by confirming their student status with UNiDAYS.

• Aerie: Registering with UNiDAYS unlocks an offer of an extra 20% off purchases at Aerie.

• Aéropostale: Current students who verify their status with UNiDAYS can save 15% sitewide at Aéropostale.com.

• Alphalete Athletics: The student discount is 10% off all purchases.

• American Eagle: College students who verify their enrollment with UNiDAYS can get 20% off their American Eagle purchases.

News and Media Subscriptions

Several media outlets offer free or discounted access for college students.

• Amazon Prime: Students get Amazon Prime free for six months, which includes free two-day shipping on over 100 million items (including textbooks), unlimited streaming of Prime movies and TV shows, unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos, and 20% off pre-order and new release video games. After six months, students are automatically signed up for a Prime membership at 50% off the regular rate.

• The Washington Post: When signing up for six months of free Amazon Prime, students also get access to six months of The Washington Post online.

• You Need a Budget: While mentioned as a resource for college students, specific details about the free offering are not provided in the source material.

Tips for Maximizing Student Benefits

The source material emphasizes several important strategies for college students to maximize their benefits:

1. Always Ask for Discounts: Many places offer student discounts but don't advertise them. Students should always ask if a discount is available and be prepared to show their student ID.

2. Use Student Email Addresses: Many services require verification through a school-issued email address to access student discounts or free offers.

3. Check with University Resources: Colleges often provide additional benefits, transportation options, and resources that may not be widely advertised.

4. Compare Online Banks: For banking services, online banks often offer better terms than traditional banks, with higher interest rates and lower fees.

Conclusion

College students have access to numerous freebies and discounts that can help offset the high costs of higher education. From financial rewards and software to career services, entertainment, and retail discounts, these benefits can provide substantial savings. By taking advantage of these offers and always asking about student discounts, college students can make their limited budgets stretch further. The key is to be proactive in seeking out these opportunities and ensuring proper verification of student status through required channels like school email addresses or student IDs.

Sources

1. Money Pantry: Freebies for College Students
2. Free Stuff Finder: College Freebies, Discounts & Deals
3. The Krazy Coupon Lady: 12 College Freebies You Need to Know About
4. Hip2Save: College Student Discounts
5. Wallet Hacks: Freebies for College Students & Discounts
6. Saving for College: Free Stuff for College Students