How do companies check that I'm a student?

It varies. Spotify, for example, says it uses a third-party service called SheerID, and Amtrak asks for a valid student ID. The company's own page explains what it accepts.

Do student discounts last until graduation?

Not always. Spotify's student plan, for example, requires you to re-verify every 12 months and allows up to four 12-month periods. Check each company's terms.

Is it a scam if someone asks me to pay for a scholarship?

The FTC says you should never pay to apply for a scholarship and that legitimate companies never guarantee scholarships or grants.

Student discounts worth checking

A short list of student discounts confirmed on each company's own page in November 2026, plus how verification works and how to avoid student scams.

A student ID can save you money on things you might already pay for, from music to train tickets. The catch is that student offers change often, and some turn into full-price subscriptions after a trial. Below are discounts we confirmed on each company's own page on 3 November 2026, with the terms as listed that day.

Before you sign up

A few habits make student deals more useful:

Read the after-trial price. A free month or six free months is nice, but the ongoing price is what matters for your budget.
Note the renewal date. Put a reminder a few days before any trial ends, so you can decide whether to keep paying.
Check eligibility rules. Some offers are for college students only, some have age limits and some need you to re-verify every year.
Only count it as a saving if you'd buy it anyway. A discount on something you don't need is still spending.

Streaming

Spotify Premium Student

Spotify's student page lists Premium Student at $6.99 a month after a one-month free trial, plus tax, compared with the regular Premium price of $12.99 a month shown on the same page. The offer is for students at an eligible US Title IV accredited college or university who are 18 or older and haven't tried Premium before.

The plan currently includes Hulu (With Ads), subject to eligibility. Student status is checked by a third-party service called SheerID. You can keep the plan for up to 12 months at a time and re-verify for up to three more 12-month periods, so up to four years in total.

Tech and software

Apple education pricing

Apple's education store offers education pricing to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff and homeschool teachers. Products are listed with prices that include the education savings, which vary by product and can change, so compare the education price with the regular price on the day you buy.

The page also says students and educators can save up to 10% on AppleCare+ coverage for a new Mac or iPad. It lists an Apple Music Student plan that includes Apple TV access for verified college students as a limited-time offer.

GitHub Student Developer Pack

If you study anything involving code, the GitHub Student Developer Pack bundles developer tools and learning resources for students. Offers include free GitHub Pro while you are a student, and a student version of GitHub Copilot for verified students. Many partner offers are free for a set period or come as credits, and some have their own age rules, so read the terms for each one.

Travel

Amtrak student discount

Amtrak offers 15% off the regular full adult rail fare for students ages 17 to 24 with a valid student ID. You need to buy at least one day in advance. The discount is valid in Coach and Acela Business Class, and a long list of services is excluded, including Capitol Corridor, Keystone, Lincoln Service and Wolverine. Check the full list before you book.

How student verification works

To keep offers limited to students, companies add a verification step, and the method differs from one to the next. Spotify uses a third-party verification service, SheerID, to confirm student status. Apple says verification is required for some of its education offers. Amtrak asks for a valid student ID. The official offer page explains what each company accepts.

Because verification involves sharing details about yourself and your school, start from the company's official website rather than a link in an unexpected email or text, and check that you're on the real site before entering anything.

Watch out for student scams

Students are frequent targets for scams dressed up as financial help. Two federal sources are clear on the basics.

The Federal Trade Commission says:

Never pay to apply for a scholarship.
Legitimate companies never guarantee or promise scholarships or grants.
The FAFSA is always free to fill out and submit.
Don't give your FSA ID (your login for federal student aid) to anyone, including consultants.

The Department of Education's Office of Inspector General adds that you can manage your federal student loans for free, that you should never agree to pay a fee to anyone claiming they'll help manage them, and that you should "always verify a source before sharing any personal information" such as your Social Security number or bank details.

The same caution applies to discount offers. A "student deal" that asks for an upfront fee, your FSA ID or your bank login is a reason to stop and check.

How SpendySaver helps

The Save money page includes a student deals section you can browse. Recurring finds your subscriptions automatically, shows the next charge date and sends free-trial reminders, which helps when a student trial is about to turn into a paid plan. If you decide to cancel, it gives step-by-step help.

This guide is general education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and figures change; check the sources above, and talk to a qualified professional about your own situation. See our editorial standards and how SpendySaver makes money. Spotted a mistake? Email support@spendysaver.com.