It can sometimes feel like there are too few immediate financial benefits for students. However, most places do have discounts and plans to make you, at the very least, feel as though you are saving money.
Stepping onto campus for the first time usually comes with a sudden wave of unexpected expenses, from pricey textbooks to basic household staples. Learning how to stretch every dollar becomes an unfortunate yet crucial skill early on, and taking advantage of dedicated student pricing is one of the easiest ways to keep your monthly overhead manageable. Below are a few of the most helpful ones I have acquired in the past three years.
When looking at entertainment and streaming subscriptions, a few digital platforms offer recurring discounts for anyone enrolled in post-secondary education. If you rely on music to get through long study sessions, Spotify offers a discounted Premium Student plan for $6.39 per month. This plan locks in the lower rate for up to four years if you re-verify your student status annually, giving you ad-free listening, offline downloads and unlimited skips without paying full price. Apple provides a similar setup through its Apple Music Student plan at $5.99 per month for up to four years, with the added perk of complimentary access to Apple TV+.
For a broader perk bundle, Amazon Prime Student gives post-secondary students and young adults ages 18 to 24 a six-month free trial before transitioning to $7.49 per month. This membership covers free and expedited delivery on orders, unlimited streaming on Prime Video, reduced add-on channel costs, Amazon Photos storage and Prime Gaming perks. Furthermore, syncing your Prime Student account lets you activate a free DoorDash DashPass for $0 delivery fees, lower service charges and 5 per cent credit back on eligible pickup orders.
Metro in Niagara Falls at 7835 McLeod Road and Bulk Barn in St. Catharines at 210 Glendale Avenue offer weekly student discounts for all your grocery needs. This particular Metro location offers a 10 percent discount every Tuesday, while Bulk Barn offers a 15 percent discount every Wednesday. Both stores require valid student identification at checkout.
When considering arts and local community events, taking a break from campus routine does not have to drain your wallet. The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines offers discounted student tickets for most PAC PRESENTS shows, with ticket prices at $25 for university and college students and $5 for high school students. Valid student identification is required upon entry.
When utilizing centralized platforms specific for student discounts, you can save time by accessing broad portals that aggregate dozens of retail savings in one spot. Instead of hunting for individual coupon codes, UNiDAYS acts as a free centralized portal that accumulates online and in-store deals across fashion, technology, beauty and food brands simply by verifying your Brock email. Alternatively, the Student Price Card (SPC) operates as a nationwide discount program costing $11.99 per year, or completely free if you’re an eligible CIBC student account holder. An SPC membership gives you year-round access to lower pricing across major clothing stores, restaurant chains and lifestyle brands alongside members-only giveaways.
Navigating post-secondary life requires a constant balance between managing your time and keeping your expenses in check. While student discounts will not eliminate the financial burdens of higher education, they can save you a few extra dollars and if you find a deal good enough, it may even allow for guilt free spending.