Free Stuff For College Students A Guide To Software Food And Financial Perks

College students in the United States have access to a wide array of free products, services, and financial incentives designed to ease the burden of educational expenses. These opportunities range from essential software and textbooks to food, museum admissions, and even cash rewards. By utilizing specific resources and verifying their student status, individuals can significantly reduce costs associated with higher education. The following guide details the various categories of freebies available, including methods for acquisition and eligibility requirements.

Totally Free Stuff for College Students

Students can access free items through dedicated websites and platforms that aggregate offers. These resources provide opportunities to earn money or receive products through simple online activities. For instance, platforms like FreeCash allow users to earn money by testing games, using apps, and taking surveys, featuring high payouts and instant cashouts. Similarly, Earn Haus offers payments of up to $25 per survey, with same-day payouts via PayPal, Venmo, or check.

Other platforms provide financial incentives for specific activities. HealthyWage pays up to $10,000 for achieving weight loss goals. KingOpinion offers survey payments of up to $210. Swagbucks, a well-established platform, has paid out over $900 million and offers a $10 sign-up bonus for watching videos and completing surveys. These services provide a way for students to generate additional funds without leaving their study spaces.

Free College Textbooks

Textbooks represent a significant financial burden for students. Fortunately, open educational resources (OER) provide free access to required reading materials. OER Commons offers a digital library of openly licensed textbooks and supplementary resources. Students can browse the collection to find materials relevant to their coursework. Additionally, Florida’s Open College Education Resource, known as The Orange Grove, provides free textbooks to students.

Free Software and Technology

Access to software is essential for modern coursework, and many companies offer free licenses to students. Microsoft provides a comprehensive suite of tools through Office 365 Education, which is free for eligible students and teachers. This package normally costs $69.99 per year but includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and free unlimited personal cloud storage. Students may be able to install these applications on up to five PCs or Macs. The Microsoft Imagine suite also allows students to create, code, and develop ideas at no cost.

Other software providers offer educational discounts or free access. Atlassian provides free server software products and apps for use by students in a classroom setting. Axure RP offers its software for free to students, allowing them to plan, prototype, and hand off to developers without code. LastPass, a password manager, allows students to download its software products for free. JetBrains offers a free All Products Pack for students with a .edu email address, which includes award-winning developer tools.

Windows 10 Education is available for free to students, providing work and gaming capabilities with built-in security features. Additionally, Computers with Causes provides refurbished computers to people in need, including students. Eligibility can be checked on their website. For students seeking specific university software, checking with the school’s IT department is recommended, as many universities hold seat licenses for expensive software packages, such as those available to University of Pittsburgh students.

Free Food and Drinks for College Students

Students can obtain free food by presenting a student ID or by joining loyalty programs and using specific apps. Many restaurants and fast-food chains offer free items to students. Chick-fil-A reportedly provides a free drink with a meal when a student ID is presented. The Chick-fil-A One app also allows students to earn points toward free food and birthday rewards.

Beyond specific restaurants, students should monitor their campus social media accounts and website calendars. Schools often distribute free food during events at least once a week. Apps like LunBox are also mentioned as tools for finding free food, though specific details on availability were not provided in the source data.

Free Museum Admissions

Cultural institutions often provide free access to students from participating universities. The Guggenheim Museum offers free admission tickets to select college ID cardholders. Similarly, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) provides free admission to students from certain schools with a valid college ID. Eligibility depends on specific agreements between the museum and the educational institution.

Free Money and Gift Cards

Students can earn free money and gift cards through apps that reward shopping and other activities. Drop is an app that allows users to link debit or credit cards. When linked cards are used for shopping, users earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers such as Amazon, Netflix, and Starbucks. The app is available for download on both Android and iOS devices.

Free Memberships

Professional organizations frequently offer free memberships to students, providing access to job boards, mentoring, and networking events. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) offers free Student Affiliate membership, granting access to tools and resources. The American Planning Association (APA) allows students to join for free. The National Society of Professional Engineers and the Society of Petroleum Engineers also provide free memberships to qualifying students.

Conclusion

College students have a diverse set of opportunities to acquire free software, textbooks, food, and financial rewards. By utilizing open educational resources, verifying student status with software providers, and participating in loyalty programs, students can mitigate the high costs associated with higher education. Additionally, professional organizations offer free memberships that can assist with career development. Students are encouraged to explore campus resources and verify eligibility directly with service providers to maximize these benefits.

Sources

1. MoneyPantry - Freebies for College Students
2. Free Stuff World