Comprehensive Guide To Freebies And Rewards For High School Seniors

High school graduation marks a significant milestone in a young person's life, and many businesses celebrate this achievement by offering special deals, freebies, and discounts to graduating seniors. From complimentary food items at popular restaurants to free software subscriptions and professional memberships, there are numerous ways for seniors to celebrate their accomplishments without breaking the bank. This guide explores the various freebies and rewards available specifically to high school seniors, including graduation-specific offers, grade-based incentives, and unexpected gifts from brands.

Restaurant and Food Freebies for Graduates

One of the most popular categories of graduation freebies comes from restaurants and food establishments that want to celebrate seniors' achievements. These offers typically require proof of graduation, such as wearing cap and gown, showing a diploma, or presenting a student ID.

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme has offered a special treat for graduating seniors. Seniors who wear Class of 2022 swag, including their cap and gown, Class of 2022 shirt or jacket, or other approved swag, can receive a free "Senior Day Dozen" at participating shops. The free dozen includes eight Original Glazed® doughnuts and four custom 2022 doughnuts. This offer was specifically available on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, and seniors needed to verify the allowed swag on the Krispy Kreme website.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies provides multiple benefits for graduates. In 2022, high school, college, and graduate students who wore their cap and gown in-store and mentioned the offer received a free 6-pack of Insomnia Cookies Classic cookies with a $5 in-store purchase between April 28 and June 29. Students without cap and gown could present any proof of graduation to qualify. The offer was limited to one per customer at participating locations.

Additionally, Insomnia Cookies has offered a 22% discount on Cookie Cakes for local pickup, delivery, and nationwide shipping orders through May 23 at 3am. To access this discount, customers needed to add a cookie cake to their cart and apply the promo code GRAD22 at checkout. This offer could not be combined with other discounts or offers.

Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery has shown appreciation for recent graduates by offering a free cupcake to anyone who presents their diploma or graduation gear. This offer has been valid through June 30 of the graduation year and applies to graduates of any age.

TGI Fridays

Graduates visiting TGI Fridays can enjoy a complimentary appetizer or dessert when they purchase an entree. To receive this offer, graduates must present their student ID. The promotion is typically valid through June 30 of the graduation year.

Potbelly

Potbelly provides free delivery on catering orders of $150 or more when customers use the promo code FREEDELIVERY during checkout at Potbelly.com. While not exclusively for graduates, this offer can be particularly useful for graduation parties or celebrations.

Applebee's

Applebee's has offered graduates a $10 bonus card with the purchase of $50 in Applebee's gift cards through June 29. The bonus cards become valid the day after purchase and remain usable through August 3 of the same year. This offer can be accessed through online or in-store purchases.

Auntie Annie's

Through June 15, Auntie Annie's has provided a $5 bonus reward for every $25 spent on their gift cards. The bonus cards remain usable through July 15, with a limit of one bonus card per customer per transaction. To redeem these bonus cards, customers need to have a rewards account, which is free to join.

Benihana

Benihana has offered up to $60 in bonuses through gift card promotions. In one promotion, graduates could receive bonus rewards with gift card purchases, though the specific terms and conditions may vary by year.

Technology and Software Offers

Beyond food and restaurant freebies, high school seniors can also benefit from technology and software offers that support their academic and professional pursuits.

Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft provides students with free access to Office 365, which includes essential productivity applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive. This software suite is valuable for college-bound students who will need these tools for their coursework. Students can sign up for a free account to access these resources.

Professional Development Opportunities

For seniors planning to enter specific fields, professional memberships can provide valuable networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and industry insights at no cost.

National Society of Professional Engineers

Full-time students can take advantage of a free student membership in the National Society of Professional Engineers. This membership offers access to resources, networking opportunities, and professional development materials that can benefit students pursuing careers in engineering.

Brand Swag and Unexpected Freebies

Some graduates have discovered creative ways to receive free merchandise and gifts from their favorite brands by simply reaching out.

The Graduation Announcement Hack

An increasingly popular method for obtaining brand swag involves sending graduation announcements to favorite businesses. While not an officially advertised promotion, many companies have surprised graduates with gifts when they receive announcements.

For example: - A TikTok user who sent her graduation announcement to Chick-fil-A received a box containing a cup, hat, socks, notebook, pens, a stuffed cow, and a camera. - Raising Cane's has reportedly sent gifts to graduates who shared their announcements. - Another graduate received something from Tiffany & Co. after sending them a graduation announcement. - Other brands that have reportedly sent gifts include Portillo's and Not Your Mother's hair products.

This approach requires initiative and creativity, as it involves identifying favorite brands, obtaining proper addresses, and sending announcements. While results may vary, many graduates have been pleasantly surprised by the response.

Grade-Based Rewards for High School Students

While not exclusive to seniors, many grade-based reward programs are available to high school students who achieve good academic standing. These rewards can serve as additional incentives throughout the school year.

Applebee's A is for Applebee's Program

Applebee's offers a program called "A is for Applebee's" where students aged 12 and younger can receive a free meal from the kid's menu if they achieve an A on their report card. While this primarily targets younger students, it demonstrates how restaurants incentivize academic achievement.

Baskin-Robbins

Baskin-Robbins locations have provided a free scoop of ice cream to students who present their report cards. Participating locations may vary, so checking the Baskin-Robbins website to find a nearby participating store is recommended.

Bank Rewards

Some banks, including Zions Bank and Alpine Bank, have rewarded students who receive good grades with small monetary additions to their bank accounts. Students with existing bank accounts should contact their financial institution to inquire about any special rewards programs for academic achievement.

Kudzoo App

The Kudzoo app offers a digital platform for middle and high school students (aged 13 and older) to earn rewards for good grades. Students can submit up to five report cards per year to earn "Kudzoo Cash," which can be redeemed at local stores, restaurants, and other participating establishments. The app is available for download on iOS and Google Play devices.

Making the Most of Your Senior Year with Free Activities

Beyond freebies and rewards, seniors can create memorable experiences during their final year of high school through various low-cost or free activities.

High School Senior Year Bucket List

Creating a bucket list of senior year experiences can help maximize this unique time. Some ideas include: - Attending at least one sports game at your school - Writing thank you letters to inspiring teachers - Trying different cafeteria foods - Creating a personal scrapbook of high school memories - Going on a senior year trip with classmates - Participating in school traditions and events

These activities focus on creating memories and experiences rather than accumulating material possessions, making them valuable additions to any senior's final year.

Conclusion

High school seniors have numerous opportunities to celebrate their graduation through freebies, discounts, and special offers from restaurants, technology companies, and other businesses. From complimentary food items at popular chains like Krispy Kreme and Insomnia Cookies to free software subscriptions and professional memberships, these rewards acknowledge seniors' achievements and help them transition to the next phase of their lives.

Additionally, creative approaches like sending graduation announcements to favorite brands can sometimes result in unexpected gifts and merchandise. Grade-based reward programs also provide incentives for academic achievement throughout high school years.

By taking advantage of these opportunities, seniors can celebrate their accomplishments, create lasting memories, and prepare for their future without financial burden. As always, verifying offer details and expiration dates with individual locations is recommended, as participation may vary.

Sources

1. Graduation deals and freebies 2022
2. Best Freebies for Graduates in 2025 | Free Food, Gift Cards, Memberships & More!
3. 11 free rewards for students with good grades!
4. Great freebies and discounts for good report cards
5. High School Senior Year Bucket List
6. Freebies for Graduates
7. Grad Gifts from Brands