Financial Assistance & Discount Guide For Low Income Students
According to the US Department Of Education, a family of four with two children and a total income of $39,300 or less per year would be classified as a low income family in 48 states. The National Center for Children in Poverty, on the other hand, defines low income families (size of four) as earning $48,678 or less per year which classifies 29.5 million or 41% of children in the United States as members of low income families. According to the NCCP, the discrepancy lies in the outdated poverty measuring model developed in 1960’s which is still used by the US government today.
Regardless of which metric you use to classify a family as low income, students from such families are less likely to attend and complete post secondary education than students from middle or high income families according to National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
College Enrollment
54% of high school graduates from low income families enrolled in college.
69% of high school graduates from middle/high income families enrolled in college.
Degree Completion
24% of high school graduates from low income families obtained a post secondary degree.
45% of high school graduates from high income families obtained a post secondary degree.
There are a variety of reasons why this gap exists such as: lack of guidance, inability to pay for tuition, lack of academic and on campus support, accumulation of debt and familial responsibilities. However, with the average yearly price tag of $10,116 for tuition at public In-State Colleges and $36,801 at Private Colleges, finances are at the forefront of the biggest obstacles faced by students from low income families. (Source)
Add COVID-19 to the equation and you have an economic environment where students from low income families are likely to experience even more financial hardships. This is why we’ve put this guide together and its primary objective is to assist students from low income families in enrolling, succeeding and completing their college education.
This guide focuses on providing resources that will address and alleviate financial concerns in a multitude of areas. You can skip to any section by clicking on one of the buttons below.
LOANS
Now – more than ever – is a time that students and parents alike need some sort of financial security. In just a few short months, a significant number of people in the U.S. have seen an income reduction of 10-25%.
CARES Act did provide a higher education emergency relief fund to many schools, but the funds were limited and the rules set out by the Department of Education restricted how the funds could be distributed among students.
Primary point of reference for federal student loans is the FederalStudentAid website. Here you will find all the latest resources, information and applications that pertain to funding your tuition through federal loan programs.
The good news for low income students is that repayment of federal loans can be based on income. You don’t have to worry about how you will ever be able to afford the payments for federal loans. These payments can be catered to your situation in many ways. Here are a few of their repayment plans:
- Revised Pay as You Earn (REPAYE)
- Pay as You Earn (PAYE)
- Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR)
- Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR)
There are many guides available that walk you through how to set up repayment plans and estimate your payments. Additionally, every student who uses federal loans is required to complete counseling at entrance as well as exit for their loans.
The aggregate loan limits vary depending on enrollment year but these limits can be restrictive, particularly if you attend a private college or any college that isn’t a community college with lower tuition fees.
Here is a look at the current interest rates that have been set for the 2020-2021 school year for federal student loans. Keep in mind that the US Government has cancelled all interest rates on federally backed student loans until December 31, 2020.
FAFSA
As a low income student, you should know that filling out your FAFSA as soon as possible provides you with more opportunities for additional funding. Many students put off filling out their FAFSA applications as the process can be daunting and require guidance.
According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), low income students fill out their FAFSAs much later than students from higher income families.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Get your FAFSA done early. It typically opens on October 1.
- Understand what you need to complete the FAFSA.
- Use the IRS data retrieval tool if you are able.
- Don’t leave answers blank.
- Round dollar amounts to the nearest dollar.
- Triple-check your social and driver’s license info for accuracy.
- File FAFSA under your legal name.
- Sign and date FAFSA for all required parties.
- Be sure that all appropriate people are listed.
There are some need-based grants that are first come, first serve. If you put off filing out your FAFSA, you could miss out on additional grants that you may be eligible for as deadlines expire. October 1 is usually the application open date at many colleges and you should always keep that date in mind. Here are three FAFSA deadlines that you MUST be aware of:
College Deadline
FAFSA deadlines vary based on each institution and you will need to look up your college's priority deadline. This deadline will inform you of the exact date you need to submit your FAFSA application to qualify for most aid.
State Deadline
Your home state also has a deadline for FAFSA applications. Some states have suggested deadlines while others have hard deadlines. General rule of thumb, submit your application ASAP to qualify for most aid.
Federal Deadline
The federal deadline is typically June 30th after which you won't be able to submit your FAFSA application. This should not be considered as we mentioned earlier and all FAFSA applications should be filled out ASAP.
Loan and grant amounts that a student could qualify for when it comes to federal aid are need based and depend on family income. EFC or expected family contribution is the benchmark calculation that is used to determine your eligibility for certain grants as well as subsidized loans. Majority of low-income students can qualify for maximum allocation, but this could vary.
If you are still having issues understanding how the process works, here is a helpful video from FederalStudentAid that gives you a quick overview of the process and how it works:
Through the years, FAFSA has changed and adapted. If you take a look at the details of the Higher Education Act, you will notice that this process was designed to provide maximum relief to low income situations. Over the years, this process has continued to improve and accommodate for guardianship scenarios, parent deaths, and unaccompanied homeless youth.
FAFSA contains 108 total questions, these questions cover a broad range of topics and every question plays a part in determining the EFC. Keep in mind that if your school requests additional documentation, it is most likely directly related to the random verification process enforced by the Department of Education.
Private Loans
Once you’ve hit the maximum on federal student loans and you are still short on tuition payments, we highly advise that you look at other options such as scholarships, grants and even employment before going the private loan route.
This is due to the interest rates that you will be charged on such loans which will be negatively correlate to your income. The lower your income, the more interest you will pay. Here is a chart from NerdWallet that shows the difference in interest rates among varying types of student loans:
If you have no choice but to go the private student loan route, we highly recommend that you use a calculator or comparison tool to review and understand the financial aspects of such a loan. Many schools offer comparison tools for their prospective students. Such tools provide various loan options and allow you to review and compare them to find the right fit.
How do you pick the right private student loan provider and what are the key options you should look for? FinAid put out an excellent resource that breaks this down and you can explore it here:
Emergency Funding
In case you find yourself in a situation where you require emergency funds as a result of unforeseen circumstances, you have a few options:
School Emergency Loan Program
Some schools have emergency loan programs that fund relatively small amounts of cash for students in need. This ensures that students have a safety net in case of an emergency.
Reassessed Financial Aid
If your family's income declines as a result of job loss or other unforeseen circumstances, some schools' financial aid office may rework the amount of funding provided to you.
Scholarship America
Despite the name, this program offers cash assistance in the form of emergency grants. These are limited to a few hundred dollars and cover essentials.
SCHOLARSHIPS
You don’t have to be awarded scholarships directly from your college in order to receive additional aid. There are tons of public scholarships out there but finding and applying for them does require effort on your part. Here is a few resources to get your search started:
FastWeb
Their database has over 1.5 million scholarships and $3.4 billion in available funding. It's free to use and you can find scholarships that you can be eligible for.
Scholarships.com
Founded in 1999, this site has over 2.7 million in scholarships and $19 billion in available funding. You can sort and find scholarships based on type and need.
CollegeNET
Updated monthly, this service aggregates available scholarships in specific states as well as nationwide. Scholarships are also up voted and ranked by popularity.
FinAid Scholarships
This site lists available scholarships in their database and provides you with scholarship based resources that can help you apply and secure additional funding.
CollegeBoard
One of the oldest ed focused organizations, offers a database of scholarships worth $3+ billion. New scholarships are added and updated annually.
Scholarship Monkey
Free online database that lets you compare and filter relevant scholarships based on your needs and major. The database has about 4000+ scholarships.
Be proactive and treat this as a job. There are scholarships and funds available that are designed specifically to help low income students find scholarships and secure funding for post secondary education.
Work ahead and start planning for your future before it becomes the present. Did you know that there are programs which provide financial relief to 7th graders?
Don’t be picky when it comes to applying for scholarships. If you qualify, complete the application. The more scholarship you apply for, the higher your chances of getting funding.
Here are a few tips when applying:
- Start applying early. Don’t wait until senior year.
- Use search and matching tools to locate scholarships.
- Network as much as possible to find scholarship opportunities.
- Your high school counselor can help you find funding resources.
- Clean up your social media and online presence.
- It’s not all about grades. What else can you offer?
- Write an essay that can be used for multiple applications.
- Practice interviewing and build relevant skills for interviews.
Scholarship Resources For Vulnerable Groups
It’s important to note that low income, especially low income female and minority students are some of the most affected groups by the low social economic status of their families. According to Inside HigherEd, students from minority families have lower college graduation rates than non minority students.
Only about 20 percent of low income students from minority background graduate college within 6 years. Keep in mind many of these students are first generation college attendants from their families and are significantly under informed in comparison to students from families where they’re not first generation college attendants.
There are resources specifically directed towards low income minority students in addition to the sources we outline above. Here you will find opportunities like the Google scholarship program or the United Negro College Fund as well as several more options that could be helpful for finding resources and scholarships.
Nationwide, there are an array of programs for pre-college students. It’s never too early to start planning . Nearly every state across the U.S. has some form of foundation or program designed to provide financial assistance to children and young students.
If you’re a parent or a counselor, it is recommended that you start discussing college with young students at middle school age. This is the time to plan, find scholarships and grants, and put your best foot forward.
Being a low income minority student does not make one incapable of excelling in school. There are opportunities and scholarships designed for low income minority and female students who have high academic performance. Here are a few more resources for you to explore:
College Possible
College Possible's purpose is to help remove barriers to obtaining a college degree. This program boasts that 98% of their students are admitted into college programs. They also offer scholarship related resources for students.
Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae offers college planning services and resources that can help you find funding for tuition through scholarships and grants as well as optional private student loans. There are also tips to help apply for scholarships
College Greenlight
College Greenlight offers multiple scholarship resources for low income students that show high levels of academic performance and the ability to succeed.
Scholarships For Women
Scholarships For Women provides and lists scholarship, grant and loan resources & information to female students from low income families.
GRANTS
Pell Grant is perhaps one of the most universally known grants throughout the US. One of the biggest upsides about grants is that many of them are need-based making low income students more suited to receive them.
According to College Board, students are more likely to complete the application if they are eligible for maximum Pell grant funding. Here is a quick reference chart as to the percentage of students that received the federal Pell grant over the last decade:
The Pell grant is not the only grant out there. In fact, finding available grants is perhaps the key to finishing college without significant debt.
We mentioned before that grants tend to be need-based. Low income students fall into the need category. If they pursue options and file the appropriate applications in a timely manner, they are far more likely to receive grants funding to help with college expenses.
Federal Grants
Federal grants are one of the best resources available. These grants are solely need-based or specific to programs and scenarios. The maximum Pell grant amount increases almost annually. Eligibility for federal grants is determined by the FAFSA.
Go College
Go College offers another valuable tool for finding grants. Types of grants you will come across on their platform include Federal, State and College/University based. We highly recommend using their database to find the latest grant opportunities.
CollegeScholarships.org
Through College Scholarships site, you will find low income grant options, grants for women, free grants, grants for college, and grants for minority students. There is literally a little something for everyone. It’s a valuable resource that can help.
FSEOG Grant
Another federal grant that many people are not familiar with is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or FSEOG grant. This grant ranges from $100 to $4,000. This can vary by school and by the EFC calculated from FAFSA.
Not every school participates in the FSEOG. Schools that do participate are required to add funds as well. This is a need-based aid that is typically designated for the neediest of students. It’s a valuable resource for low income students.
Obtaining FSEOG is a first come first served process. If you come from a low income family, it is important that you get your FAFSA in as early as possible to try to make the list or be at the top of your school’s waiting list.
State Grants
Some state grants are based on FAFSA information and may have filing deadlines attached to them as well. Check out your state’s scholarships and grants guidelines to understand whether you might qualify. For example, Kansas offers a Kansas Comprehensive Grant as a form of state "gift" aid.
TEACH Grant
FAFSA might also qualify you for a TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant. The TEACH grant is a grant that is designed for individuals who plan to enter a teaching career.
There are some requirements in order to use this grant and they are fairly steep. Here’s the catch. The TEACH grant becomes a loan if you don’t fulfill the requirements as stated in the agreement.
Recipients of the TEACH grant are required to sign agreements annually that they will serve 4 years in a teaching position within an 8-year period. They must be in a certain field of teaching and in a qualifying region.
Unfortunately, a lot of TEACH grants are converted to loans. Here is a chart representing why.
The primary reason that the grant is turned into a loan is because the recipient ends up teaching in a position that doesn’t qualify.
According to the federal student aid site, here are the fields that do qualify currently.
- English
- Foreign Language
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Science
- SPECIAL Education
This list is based on teacher shortages nationwide list and it does change occasionally.
If you decide to utilize the TEACH grant to help with college funding, be aware of the requirements and the possibility that this does become a loan if you don’t fulfill the requirements.
To wrap up the TEACH Grant, here are the points to remember.
- Must serve as a full-time teacher for 4 years within 8 years.
- Teach at a qualifying low-income school or educational agency.
- Teach in a high-need field (as explained above).
- Provide documentation of your service.
- TEACH Grant becomes a loan if you fail to meet requirements.
COVID-19
COVID-19 has impacted all sectors of the global economy and continues to impact day to day lives of individuals around the world. Students of all education levels across the US have and will continue to experience the impact of COVID-19 for years to come. McKinsey & Co. estimates that learning loss due to COVID-19 will be greatest among low income students and especially low income students of African American and Hispanic descents.
This is due to the fact that students from low income families are less likely to have access to quality remote learning environments that offer minimal distractions, parental supervision and high speed internet. Curriculum Associates estimate that only 60% of low income students compared to 90% of high income students log onto online curriculum. (Source)
While learning loss is a significant downside of COVID-19 for all students across the US, financial implications for students already enrolled in or applying for college can be severe. CARES Act did provide relief for students who have student loans:
All ED-held loan payments are automatically deferred until December 31, 2020 and the interest rate is set to 0%. (Source)
Private loan payments and interest rates will vary depending on the lender. Here is a helpful list to find out who owns your student loan.
Even private student loans are required to offer up to 90 days of forbearance without impacting your credit score. (Source)
Visit FederalStudentAid Covid-19 portal to get the latest information on FAFSA, Repayments, Interest Rates and other Q&A's pertaining to your student loans.
Free Learning Resources
Student loan relief is helpful but it’s not enough to help students from low income families prepare, succeed and finish their college education. Below, we compiled a list of free learning resources, tools and services that private companies have made available to students as a result of COVID-19.
Age Of Learning: Free access to ABCmouse, ReadingIQ and other programs. (Get Access)
edHelper: Free workbooks to work on Math, Literacy, Critical Thinking and other subjects. (Get Access)
Amazon Future Engineer: Free access to computer science online courses. (Get Access)
Digital Promises: Free online access to resources during school closures. (Get Access)
Girls Who Code: Free coding lessons and resources on HTML, CSS & other languages. (Get Access)
Great Minds: Free activity sheets on languages, math and science. (Get Access)
inquirED: Free course to improve distance based learning. (Get Access)
Intelligent Education: Free access to all online courses and resources. (Get Access)
K12 Inc: Free access to online curriculum of 10,0000+ ebooks. (Get Access)
Labster: Free lab simulation access for physics, chemistry and biology. (Get Access)
Legends Of Learning: Free access to educational math and science games. (Get Access)
Newsela: Free access to webinars and case studies on liberal arts, social studies and more. (Get Access)
NoRedInk: Free premium access to SAT practice tests, tutorials and more. (Get Access)
Omni: Free access to over 1000 calculators, equations and more. (Get Access)
Outschool: Free online lesson access to K-12 students. (Get Access)
PandaTree: Free access to foreign learning platform. (Get Access)
Project Explorer: Free access to over 200 videos and guides on history and culture. (Get Access)
Rocketbook: Free worksheets that includes graph paper, lined paper and more. (Get Access)
Skillshare: Free premium access to online access for 2 months. (Get Access)
Sandy Hook Promise: Free resources for social and emotional education on social distancing. (Get Access)
Scholastic: Free resources for preK-9 students that covers various subjects and disciplines. (Get Access)
Smithsonian: Free access to resource library of science and social studies activities. (Get Access)
UWorld: Free access to full length SAT prep exams. (Get Access)
Zearn: Free access to K-5 math courses and resources. (Get Access)
HEALTH
Being a low income student and having the ability to comfortably foot the bill for health insurance and health related costs is not an easy task. When tuition costs and living expenses are piling up, taking care of one’s health becomes an afterthought and it shouldn’t. There are services and resources available to low income college students that can be utilized:
On Campus Health Services
Most on campus medical health services provide free or discounted pricing to students on campus. Most schools offer such services which can include checkups, consultations, testing and even prescriptions.
Homeless Medical Clinics
Organized by the NHCHC, these clinics offer medical health services to homeless or low income individuals. There are locations nationwide and you will be charged based on how much you can afford.
School Health Insurance
Students can get health insurance at discounted rates through their school's student group insurance plans. You will need to contact your health department to find out more.
Parental Health Insurance
As long as you are under the age of 26, staying under your parents' health insurance will be cheaper than getting insurance on your own. Family plans typically have discounts.
Affordable Care Act
This government initiative provides health insurance at discounted rates to low income families and can be acquired through state insurance exchanges. Visit Healthcare.gov for more information.
Planned Parenthood
This program offers sexual health services such as STD and pregnancy testing at reduced rates or no cost depending on your financial situation. To find out more, please visit PlannedParenthood website.
Helplines
Services such as FreeDoctorHelpline offer you the option to receive professional medical advice over the phone. These can be a great alternative to in person visits.
Online Chats
If you can't afford any sort of medical service, there are services such as First Opinion that allow users to get professional medical opinion via chat.
Mental Health & Support
Having to deal with academic, social and financial stress of college life can take a toll on anyone’s mental health and especially on those with limited resources. Here are a few useful resources that you should utilize if find your mental health at risk.
Student Wellness Centers
Most colleges offer emotional support and mental health counseling to students as part of their health services or as its own dedicated office.
Insured Counseling
If you have an insurance plan, mental health counseling is typically included in your plan and gives you access to services of a licensed therapist or counselor.
ULifeline Network
Over 1500 colleges and universities are part of the ULifeline Network which offers free mental health resources to college students.
Mental Health Guide by AOS
This mental health guide by Accredited Online Schools offers comprehensive information and resources for college students.
ADDA
Anxiety & Depression Association of America offers free resources and services to children and adults that have anxiety or mood disorders.
Mental Health America
MHA offers resources to help college students manage stress and stay mentally healthy through its Life on Campus program.
HOUSING
According to the University of Chicago, students who don’t have a safe place to stay or are homeless are much less likely to attend college. Housing instability and homelessness interfere with young students’ ability to stay and succeed in school according to this study. (Source)
The study also found that family instability and socio-economic limitations post significant challenges for educational attainment and progress. (Source) Low education and home instability are directly correlated to one another and exhibit the following risk factors:
When you receive grants, scholarships, and loans, it’s a given that there will be funding allocation for room and board as well. Your grants and other financial aid might help with this cost but what if it doesn’t? What are your options?
Low income students can start with services like HUD (housing and urban development), which are designed to provide affordable housing to those in need. Students will need to qualify and might have to be placed on a waiting list.
According to Pocket Sense, HUD is not the only solution. Here are some other solutions to consider.
Section 8 Housing Program
This is a government rental assistance program operated under HUD. You find qualified housing and Section 8 provides vouchers to help you pay rent.
Public Housing Program (HUD)
Public housing is also operated under HUD. This is housing that is provided and owned by a government authority. These could be low-income apartments or alternative setups.
Student Housing Services
Universities and colleges typically offer on and off campus housing options. We recommend meeting with Student Life and Housing program coordinator at your school to see if there are additional options for low income students.
LowIncomeHousing.us
This services helps low income individuals and families find affordable rentals and housing options across the country. You can browse properties by state and subsidy program (ie: Low income tax credit, HUD, etc.)
Finding stable housing at affordable rates is one of the largest barriers for low income students when it comes to college success. Having a safe home or the lack of a safe home can determine one’s academic and life long success.
In a study mentioned by HUD, it was determined that a student’s college success is directly co-related to their housing needs being met.
For low income students, there are existing resources to find affordable rental housing throughout the county. USAGOV has put out this valuable infographic for low income individuals and families to find affordable housing:
Many low income students have never been in this position and therefore just need to learn the proper way to handle the situation. This College Affordability Guide is a valuable options for budgeting for college.
Maybe you have never considered what you are eligible for in terms of housing help. There are Section 8 Housing qualifications but there are some exceptions as well.
NECESSITIES
Food can often be another source of stress for low income students. In many schools, there are programs that ensure low income students receive food and don’t have to worry about their meals. Some colleges have begun offering their students meal cards to help them pay for meals.
Due to COVID-19, there are new programs available for low-income students that can also provide additional food benefits.
One thing that is reportedly clear across the board is that access to food can significantly impact student success in college. Many students go hungry because of the cost of food and colleges are becoming more aware.
There are various food assistance programs across the nation that are geared towards easing food insecurity for low income students. These programs recognize that many students either don’t have enough food or they struggle to afford food and therefore go hungry, which could affect their academic performance.
SNAP Program
SNAP is a program that many have previously known as food stamps. SNAP could potentially be available to low income college students. While many college students do not qualify, there are exceptions.
FoodPantries.org
If your school does not offer a food pantry, FoodPantries.org will help you find a local pantry and accommodate you based on your financial needs.
Summer Food Programs
Since schools' food bank typically close over the summer, summer food programs are meant to offer food trays during the summer and fill the gap for students under 18.
Community Assistance Organizations
Organizations like United Way, American Red Cross and Salvation Army will help you find a food bank and similar resources in your community through their network of local partners & non profits.
Feeding America
This organization is responsible for feeding over 46 million Americans on annual basis and offers meals through their food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.
Soup Kitchens & Potlucks
Soup kitchen is another term for meal program and are typically offered through local shelters and churches. Local churches will also regularly offer potlucks to their communities.
College meal assistance programs like “Swipe Out Hunger” are also designed to allow unused paid meal plans to be shared or donated to other students in need.
There are food banks and food pantries across the country. Some communities have their own community food assistance programs. Check with Student life and campus resources to see what is available.
Employment
Finding college employment is an effective way to cover expenses. You can search your college for work study positions. There are numerous part-time jobs available out there that are perfect for college students.
Finding employment right now can be challenging but there are opportunities for students despite COVID-19. First point of contact should definitely be your college’s Student Life or Career Services office. They are in direct contact with local and national employers and can quickly guide you to available opportunities.
Here are a few other ways you can find employment during college:
Work Study
Most colleges offer work study programs which offer on campus jobs with flexible schedules to students.
Freelance
Sites like Upwork and Fiverr can offer you job opportunities on your own schedule if you have in demand skills.
Craigslist
An obvious one but still useful, Craigslist can offer you quite a few local job opportunities that can cover college expenses.
Online Job Sites
Sites like College Express, Indeed and WayUp can help you find a job through their online job search tools.
According to statistics from Harvard, approximately 78% of students claim to have worked at least part-time through some part of their school process. Getting a part time job during college might not only cover your immediate expenses but help you build skills and networks that will be valuable post graduation.
Textbooks
College textbooks have a reputation for being one of the most expensive aspects of attending college. You’re already worried about tuition, room and board, food and now you have to worry about how you can possibly afford books?!
According to CBSNews, the cost of textbooks has outpaces inflation by four times in the last ten years and an average student spends about:
The Washington Post reports that students have started being creative with how they alleviate textbook costs. Here is a few tips to help you save money on textbooks:
Buy Used Textbooks
You will get substantial savings if you always stick to buying used textbooks. These are available at multiple websites and you can even stack student exclusive discounts.
Consider Older Versions
Older versions of the textbook you need will typically have all the required information but come at a reduced cost.
eTextbooks
e-Book version of a required textbook will typically cost significantly less than a regular hard cover copy. You can use Barnes & Noble to find available e-textbooks.
Rent Textbooks
Textbook rental services let you rent textbooks for the time you need them for and allow you to save up to 80% in comparison to buying new textbooks.
Wait Until After 1st Class
Some professors will make provisions to help students afford expensive textbooks. Going into 1st class and waiting might save you money.
Campus Bookstore
Campus bookstore prices on new textbooks will typically be higher than online and other alternatives. Do your research and find out prices before going into the campus bookstore.
When it comes to purchasing textbooks, there are scholarships that are specifically designed to aid with the cost of textbooks. Student Government Resource center has a helpful guide on making textbooks affordable. The guide shares the rising costs but also brings awareness to the challenges and provides support and resources for students who need them.
Be proactive and use the resources out there that give you tips for saving on textbooks. There are numerous places to try to buy or rent used textbooks to help with the cost. Here are a few more sites to save you some $:
These are just a few online platforms, as well as potentially local resources, that you can use to find textbooks at significant discounts. Don’t forget to check on campus for resources related to affordable textbooks as well.
DISCOUNTS
Thousands of nationwide and local retailers offer student exclusive discounts directly with a valid ID or through third party membership services such as Student Advantage, Unidays, Id.me and Student Beans.
As a student you might not have the time or attention span to go through dozens of student discount lists available online. That’s why we have simplified the process of finding and accessing all publicly available discounts to students with our Student Discount Finder chrome extension. This free Chrome extension notifies of you available student only discounts at over 1000+ online retailers as you shop online or browse Google.
Below you will also find a list of the top 200 exclusive discounts available to students. This list was curated by our team and includes companies that offer useful products and services at substantial discounts.
Clothing & Accessories
H&M: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Vera Bradley: 10% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Ted Baker: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Rue21: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Rosegal: 20% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Banana Republic: 15% OFF full-priced items in store with valid ID (Get Discount)
Tommy Hilfiger: 15% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Shein: 15% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
U.S. Polo Assn.: 10% OFF With Student Beans (Get Discount)
Alex And Ani: 15% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
ASOS: 15% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Columbia: 15% OFF With Id.me (Get Discount)
Dickies: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Hanes: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
J. Crew: 15% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
JOANN: 10% off; must register for their student discount program (Get Discount)
Jockey: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Kenneth Cole: 20% OFF with student ID (Get Discount)
Jockey: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Adidas: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Calvin Klein: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Express: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Forever 21: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
NastyGal: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
New Balance: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Oakley: SPECIAL Student OFFers With Unidays (Get Discount)
Topman: 10% OFF With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
American Apparel: 30% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Juicy Couture: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Look Fantastic: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Missguided: 35% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Oh Polly: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Paula’s Choice: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Footwear
Ugg: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Foot Locker: Get 15% OFF orders over $75 With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Steve Madden: 10% OFF with student ID (Get Discount)
Ego Shoes: 15% OFF with code STUDENT15 (Get Discount)
Allen Edmonds: 15% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Shoes.com: 25% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Saucony: 20% OFF With Verification + VIP Sign Up (Get Discount)
Lady Foot Locker: Up to 20% OFF orders of $75+ (Get Discount)
Shoebuy: 15% OFF plus FREE SHIPPing With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Crocs: 25% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Eastbay: 20% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Perry Ellis: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Toms: 10% OFF With code STUDENT10 (Get Discount)
Athletic Wear
Nike: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Under Armour: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Champs Sports: 15% OFF Online Purchases Of $75+ With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Barbell Apparel: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Reebok: 20% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Champion: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Rhone: 10% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Rugby.com: 15% off (Get Discount)
Eddie Bauer: 15% OFF in store with student ID (Get Discount)
Automotive
Jiffy Lube: 10% OFF with valid student ID (Get Discount)
Garmin: SPECIAL Student OFFers With Unidays (Get Discount)
Chevrolet: Preferred pricing for all students and recent graduates (Get Discount)
Ford: $500 Bonus With ID.me (Get Discount)
Beauty
Clinique: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
MAC: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Benefit Cosmetics: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
BH Cosmetics: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
GHD Hair: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
L’Occitane: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Murad: 20% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Pixi Beauty: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Sigma Beauty: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Sally Beauty: SPECIAL OFFers With Student Id (Get Discount)
All Beauty: 10% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
E.L.F. Cosmetics: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Milani Cosmetics: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
SkincareRX: 28% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Travel Services
Expedia: Save up to 40% With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Viator: 10% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
STA Travel: Exclusive discounts with ISIC student ID Card (Get Discount)
Intrepid Travel: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Smart Destinations: 10% OFF Select Passes With Unidays (Get Discount)
Contiki: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
CheapOair: SPECIAL OFFers With Student Id (Get Discount)
Hotels
Hotels.com: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Choice Hotels: 15% OFF participating hotels With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Get A Room: Up To 60% OFF With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Homestay: Get 5% OFF Your Stay (Get Discount)
Caesars: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Wyndham Hotels: 20% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Financial Services
All State: 20% OFF for full-time students under 25 (Get Discount)
Fedex: 30% OFF documents and 20% OFF shipping with student ID (Get Discount)
Chase: $0 Fee Account For Students (Get Discount)
Citi: Extra Points With Verification (Get Discount)
Country Financial: Up to 30% OFF For High Performing Students (Get Discount)
Discover: $0 Fees With Verification (Get Discount)
Farmers Insurance: SPECIAL OFFers For Eligible Students Under 25 (Get Discount)
Geico: 15% OFF For High Performing Students (Get Discount)
Nationwide: SPECIAL Discount For High Performing Students (Get Discount)
StateFarm: Up to 25% For Eligible Students Under 25 (Get Discount)
US Bank: $0 Fee Account For Students (Get Discount)
Gifts & Flowers
Cheryl’s: 15% OFF With Student Advantage (Get Discount)
1800 Flowers: 20% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Software
Norton: Up to 50% OFF on select Norton products (Get Discount)
Cyberlink: 40% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Adobe: 60% OFF on creative cloud (Get Discount)
Corel: Up to 96% OFF retail prices for students (Get Discount)
Intuit: FREE TRIALs For Students (Get Discount)
Kaspersky: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Smith Micro: 40% OFF With SheerID (Get Discount)
Eyewear & Jewelry
Ray Ban: 20% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Glasses USA: Up To 55% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
AC Lens: 15% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Helzberg: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
1800 Contacts: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Glasses.com: 50% OFF Prescription Lenses With Unidays (Get Discount)
Lens Crafters: 40% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Pacsun: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Sunglass Hut: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
1800 Any Lens: 10% OFF With Student Advantage (Get Discount)
Sunglass Warehouse: 30% OFF all orders With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
EyeBuyDirect: 20% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Eyeko: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
PuraVida Bracelets: 20% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
SmartBuyGlasses: 10% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Communities
Crafts And Frames: 10% OFF with student ID (Get Discount)
Discount Dance: 10% OFF first purchase (Get Discount)
BH Photo: SPECIAL Student OFFers With Unidays (Get Discount)
Musician’s Friend: 10% OFF $199+ With SheerID (Get Discount)
Book Outlet: 10% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Academic Superstore: Discounts vary on software for enrolled students (Get Discount)
Car Rentals
Enterprise: Up To 25% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Hertz: 25% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Dollar: 25% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Zipcar: $0 Application Fee With Unidays (Get Discount)
Sixt: 5% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Alamo: Up to 20% OFF With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Lyft: Get one FREE Ride With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
National Car: Up to 20% OFF With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Uber: Get $20 OFF your first ride With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Budget Truck Rental: 15% OFF With code TRUKU (Get Discount)
Food & Drinks
Chipotle: Free small drink with student ID (Get Discount)
Arbys: 10% OFF with student ID at select locations (Get Discount)
Dairy Queen: Discounts vary; visit local store for deals (Get Discount)
Dominos: Discounts vary based on location (Get Discount)
McDonalds: 10% OFF McFlurry or burger with student ID (Get Discount)
Papa Johns: Discounts vary based on location (Get Discount)
Pizza Hut: 10-20% off, depending on location (Get Discount)
Buffalo Wild Wings: 10% OFF flaming wings with ID (Get Discount)
Chick Fil A: Free drink with student ID (Get Discount)
GNC: 20% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Grubhub: 20% OFF On $10+ With Unidays (Get Discount)
Hello Fresh: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Seamless: $15 OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
My Protein: Get 30% OFF all sports nutrition With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Protein World: 40% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
RomWe: 10% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Telecommunications
Sprint: Discounts vary, typically 10-15% off (Get Discount)
AT&T: SPECIAL OFFers For Students In Select Schools (Get Discount)
Verizon Wireless: SPECIAL OFFers For International Students (Get Discount)
Recreation
24 Hour Fitness: Exclusive Student Discount With Valid ID (Get Discount)
Barre3: 20% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Tidal: 40% OFF With SheerID (Get Discount)
Spotify: 3 Months Free For Students (Get Discount)
Consumer Electronics
Lenovo: 25% OFF + free shipping on select computers and electronics (Get Discount)
Apple: Up to $220 OFF on Macs and up to $20 OFF on iPads (Get Discount)
WDC: 20% OFF with school email address (Get Discount)
BH Photo Video: Discounts vary on imaging and audio products (Get Discount)
Fujitsu: SPECIAL Pricing For Students (Get Discount)
HP: Exclusive savings for students (Get Discount)
BestBuy: Up To $500 OFF With Student Exclusive Deals (Get Discount)
Alienware: SPECIAL Student OFFers With Unidays (Get Discount)
Bose: SPECIAL Student OFFers With Unidays (Get Discount)
Dell: 10% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Logitech: 25% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Samsung: Up to 30% OFF For Students (Get Discount)
BenQ: 10% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Caseable: 30% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Jabra: 25% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
Home & Garden
Office Depot: Save up to 80% in-store or online With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Crabtree Evelyn: 15% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
iRobot: SPECIAL Pricing For Students (Get Discount)
Leesa: 15% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Eight Sleep: 10% OFF With Verification (Get Discount)
Department Stores
Amazon: Free six-month trial with .edu email (Get Discount)
Costco: $20 Credit With Gold Star Membership Through Unidays (Get Discount)
Target: $7 OFF any purchase of $70 or more With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
Entertainment
Madame Tussauds: 15% OFF on admission price at all US locations (Get Discount)
Redbox: Free rental with new account or Facebook “like” (Get Discount)
Base Camp: Free For Students (Get Discount)
Universal Orlando: Up To $63 OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Universal Hollywood: Up To 30% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Six Flags: Up To 40% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Cirque Du Soleil: 50% OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
Disney World: Up To $63 OFF With ID.me (Get Discount)
NBA Tickets: SPECIAL Ticket Pricing with ID.me (Get Discount)
MLS Tickets: SPECIAL Ticket Pricing with ID.me (Get Discount)
Fanatics: 15% OFF With Unidays (Get Discount)
Ticket Monster: 10% OFF Any Ticket With Student Advantage Membership (Get Discount)
AMC Theatres: Discount tickets on Thursdays with valid ID (Get Discount)
Keen: 20% OFF With StudentBeans (Get Discount)
FINAL REMARKS
With COVID-19 continuing to impact all sectors of the global economy, 43% of low income adults in the US have reported that they or someone in their household experienced job loss or a pay cut as a result of the current pandemic. (Source) The impact that this will have on existing and potential college students from low income families is undoubtedly going to be negative.
However, there are resources available that can guide and provide much needed financial support in the current economic climate to those who need it most. Below you will find a list of other useful resources, websites and organizations that offer financial assistance to students from low income families.
I am entering my senior year of high school this fall and this will definitely come in handy. Hopefully covid doesn’t delay anything and I am able to start college next year.
US government should have gone beyond loan payment postponing as a covid relief measure. There should have been some credits and subsidies awarded to students especially those from low income families to help them this coming year. I don’t see how students can stay in school when their parents are losing jobs and can’t even pay for basic needs.
I wish had these kind of resources when I was in college in early 2000’s. I did forward this to my colleagues and friends who have kids in high school and college. Thanks for the work you’ve done!