With the rising prices of tuition and rent, college students struggle financially more than ever. Thankfully, some commonly-used streaming and subscription services offer discounted prices for their college-attending users. These student subscriptions help save money without sacrificing convenience.
1. Spotify
Spotify launched in 2008, and now it’s the music streaming app with the most users. Spotify Premium provides music streaming without ads and the ability to download playlists, podcasts and audiobooks for listening offline. The ad-free music provides less distraction for students who use music while studying, and the ability to download music and podcasts helps on flights or rural drives with little service. Spotify Premium for individuals originally costs $10.99 a month, but with the student subscription, users can have the benefits and an ad-included subscription to Hulu for just $5.99 a month.
2. Amazon
College students benefit from Amazon Prime in a variety of ways. They get faster, free shipping, which comes in handy when needing class materials, dorm necessities, and all the little things forgotten at home. Additionally, the Amazon Prime subscription includes access to ebooks, Prime Music, and Prime Video. The subscription costs $14.99 for regular users, but students can register for a membership that costs just $7.49 following a six-month free trial.
3. Hulu
A beta version of Hulu joined Disney+, so for students already subscribed to Disney+ or Spotify Premium, the student subscription to Hulu may not be worth it. The most basic version of Hulu costs $7.99 a month and includes ads. Prices rise depending on if you choose a subscription including various networks or live TV. Despite it including the least amount of benefits, it’s the most financially safe option at only $1.99 a month for college student subscriptions.
4. Cinemark
Although Cinemark offers both a subscription and a student discount, they aren’t available in the same package. Certain Cinemarks based on location offer cheaper tickets when presented with a student ID, but students should research their local Cinemark to ensure it’s offered. However, for frequent movie-goers, the Movie Club subscription might provide a better deal. Cinemark Movie Club costs around $11 a month depending on location, but it includes one free movie ticket a month with rollover, 20% off all concessions, and waived online fees.
5. Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus’ most basic subscription costs $6 a month as of 2024, and the student discount plan goes for 25% off. It offers viewing for popular shows such as NCIS, Criminal Minds: Evolution and Survivor. As far as streaming services go, it’s one of the newest and hasn’t gained much footing yet.
6. Doordash
Maybe the most appealing on this list, Doordash allows students to get food delivered to them at any public-accessible location on campus. A normal DashPass costs $10 per month and includes waived delivery fees on both restaurants and grocery stores, and gives a percentage of credits back on every order. The student discount allows college students to utilize a DashPass for just $4.99 per month. Especially for students who live off campus without regular access to a dining hall, the discounted pass could provide some financial benefits.
