As a post-secondary student, there are various student discount programs you can take advantage of. Your education is expensive enough as is, you can save some dollars by accessing these programs. In some cases, high school students are eligible for these discounts as well. These deals are in different product categories including restaurants, retailers, and credit card companies. If you are interested in buying a laptop, acquiring new clothes, or purchasing tuition books, student discounts are available. In this article, you will find a list of student discount programs in Canada that will help manage your finances while studying. Let’s have a closer look!
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Is there a student discount in Canada?
Yes! If you are going to university or college there are several student discounts and related programs to help cut costs after spending on books, tuition, and basic costs of living. In some cases, high school students can be eligible for these discounts as well, but it depends on the provider’s specific terms and conditions. Taking advantage of student discount programs in Canada can help you save money on a variety of things while you focus on your education. You can also access generous discounts for supplies and tools you need while in school, such as clothing, food, and technology.
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What discounts can students get?
There are various types of student discount programs available in Canada for you to choose from. We’ve listed a number of categories for student discounts below. And if the product or service you’re looking for isn’t listed? Be sure to reach out to the specific retailer or provider to see if they offer a student discount.
1. Transportation
A lot of students make use of public transportation to move around the school facilities, and go to and from home. You can confirm if there are student discounts with your public transit provider. In some cases, you get a free, local public transit pass as a part of your tuition payments.
Below are companies in Canada that offer transportation student discounts to help you get around without burning a hole in your pocket:
- Greyhound: This discount opportunity allows you to save 10% on adult fares and up to 45% on trips around the school premises.
- Via Rail: Students can access an Unlimited Semester Pass in Canada for $499. This also offers reduced prices for all movements, especially if you are between the ages of 16 to 25.
- GO Transit: Allows you to save at least 17% on transportation fees with an approval stamp for your transit passes.
- TTC: College students can purchase a monthly pass at the discounted rate of $128.15. High school students also pay a reduced TTC fare.
- TransLink: Access SeaBus, SkyTrain, Metro Vancouver, and West Coast Express as a post-secondary student through the U-Pass BC discount program.
- Calgary Transit UPass: Student discount offered through the UPass program for local post-secondary institutions in Calgary.
- Société de transport de Montréal OPUS: Montreal offers a student discount to residents of Quebec attending school on a full-time basis.
Most public transportation systems offer a student discount to Canadians and international students. If your local transit system wasn’t listed above, do a quick Google search or call the provider to ask about their discount.
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2. Food, Groceries, and Restaurants
As a student, you need a good meal from time to time! Whether you want to cook at home or go to a restaurant, you can likely take advantage of a student discount program. These discount offerings can help you cut down on costs and get the necessary foodstuff you need to stay healthy, despite the stress of studying:
- Dairy Queen: Allows you to save 10% off your meal with a valid student ID.
- Chipotle: You can get a free soft drink with your meal when you present your student ID.
- Bulk Barn: Grants 10% off your purchase with a valid ID card, but only on Wednesdays.
- Metro: Receive 10% to 15% off all grocery purchases on student discount days at the right locations.
- Freshii: You can save up to 15% off your meal with a valid ID card.
- Zehrs: Get 10% off purchases with a valid ID card but only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Freshii: Allows you to save 15% off your meal with a valid student ID
- Zehrs: 10% off purchases made on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a valid student ID.
- St. Louis Bar & Grill: Get $5 or 20% off deals on various menu items with a valid student ID.
3. Electronics and Technology
Today’s education system is much more digitized and so school supplies go beyond using pencils and paper. Staying informed on some of the latest software and tech necessary to succeed in your studies is important. These retailers offer great student discounts on laptops, headphones, printers, and more:
- Lenovo: Available discounts for your laptops and printers.
- Apple: All discounted products are available in any of their education pricing shops.
- Staples: Allows you to purchase supplies and tech during your school periods for discounts.
- Best Buy: Save up to 10% to 30% on student deals.
- Telus: Get 3 GB extra data for $5 on any premium smartphone upgrade or activation on a two-year plan.
- Adobe: Applicants can receive up to 60% off the first year of subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Prezi: If you sign up with an official school email address you get discounted monthly fees for your Prezi EDU Plus subscription.
4. Retail Discounts
Several retailers offer unique discounts for students in Canada in various shop categories, from clothing to makeup to home decor. If you’re shopping in store, ask the cashier about their student discounts when you check out. Make sure you have your student card on hand! Whereas if you’re shopping online, reach out to their customer service about deals for students.
5. Student Credit Cards
If you are looking to build credit or improve your credit as a student, a student-specific credit card is a simple solution. You can access special student deals using these cards, reduced or waived annual fees, or even a low interest rate. Alternatively, some student based credit cards offer cash-back rewards or other rewards programs. Not only can you use this credit card as a tool to cover your expenses and collect discounts and rewards, you can kickstart your credit history which will help your finances down the road after you’ve graduated.
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6. Student Price Card (SPC)
The Student Price Card offers up to 450 student-exclusive deals, discounts, giveaways, and limited-time offers. At the membership cost of $10/year, SPC will help you access discounts on food, clothing, travel tech, and others. You can use this card to redeem discounts both in-person and online.
7. StudentBeans
The StudentBeans discount program gives applicants access to different offers in categories like tech, beauty, and health. The program also has an app that makes it easy to find the best deals for any student category of your choice.
8. International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
International Student Identity Card, or ISIC for short, is a discount program that allows students to utilize discounts across the world. So far, it’s the only internationally recognized student discount program. This option is popular among international students who may go back home for the summer and other breaks. However, students who travel frequently for pleasure might want to access this program too.
9. UNiDAYS
UNiDAYS is a website designed for students who are looking for various affiliated retailers offering discounts. The website ensures you can easily sign up for free and get deals on categories like fashion, tech, health, and fitness. It also offers a handy mobile app for students to access discounts when they’re away from their computer.
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10. Miscellaneous
Beyond the options listed above, you deserve so much more comfort as a student! You can get discounts for other things like clothing, shoes, beauty products, wellness, internet subscription services, and even your favorite books. This way, you no longer need to worry about overspending on non-essentials. Check out some other popular student discounts below:
- Amazon: Students can get 50% off Amazon Prime service.
- Adidas: Get 30% off full-priced purchases online at their website (adidas.com).
- H&M: Get 15% off in-store purchases with valid student ID.
- PC Financial: Free daily banking that lets students earn interest on their account balances.
- Book Outlet: Receive up to a 5% student discount.
- GoodLife: Discounted rates for student memberships.
- Bath and Body Works: 10% off your purchase in-store.
- Reebok: 30% discount on full-price products and 15% on sale products after proof of enrollment has been provided.
- Spotify: Access to half the monthly price for membership with enrollment verification.
Can students get discounts on laptops?
Yes, various companies offer student discounts on laptops. Some of these companies include Microsoft, HP, Apple, Lenovo, and Dell. If you’d like to purchase your laptop from another retailer, simply ask them about their offers and have your student ID ready. Usually August is the best month to purchase a laptop so you can take advantage of back to school programs as well.
How do I claim a student discount?
To be able to claim a student discount in Canada, you have to meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements vary across different student discount programs. However, you’re usually required to present a valid, active student identification card at the time of purchase. You may need to provide other documentation to prove you’re enrolled in an eligible school. Finally, some programs may require you to be a full-time student, as opposed to a part-time student.
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How do I know if I have a student discount?
Most high school, university and college students are eligible for available discount programs. If you’re unsure if a specific provider offers a student discount, just ask! You may need to verify your enrollment in school, but otherwise, you can simply ask about any discounts available for those in school.
Making the Most of Student Discount Programs
As a student, you don’t have to be broke and struggling with your finances. Staying up to date on the various school discount programs can help you cut costs and save money while you are in school. There are several student discounts available and if you don’t see them advertised, search the website or social media platforms. Or, just reach out to the provider and ask about their deals for students!
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