Tuition is high, your student loan repayments are looming and chances are you barely have $2 stashed away in your dorm room for an emergency. But, somehow, you still gotta live. That’s what student discounts and freebies are for. They’re hardly publicized on billboards, so finding killer deals requires a bit of digging. Don’t worry – we’ve done it for you. Here’s a list of student deals, discounts and freebies that’ll help you
embrace living on a budget.
BOOKS, SOFTWARE, SUPPLIES
Amazon.com: Join the Amazon student program to make your book purchases smoothly. All you need is a .edu email address to sign up for six months of free two-day shipping, $3.99 one-day shipping (because – d’oh! – you forgot to buy that book you need for class later this week) and access to Amazon Prime benefits, like free streaming movies.
Guilford Press, guilford.com: Check the site for regular student sales, during which full-time students get a 40 percent discount on books, videos, newsletters and journals, with no minimum order and free shipping.
JourneyEd.com: Find academic software and hardware for students. Save $130 when purchasing Windows 8.1 Pro, for example, or save $118 on Acrobat XI Pro.
Apple, apple.com (or visit one of the three local stores at the Mall at Millenia, the Florida Mall or the Altamonte Springs Mall): Students can get up to $200 off a new Mac and a $100 credit to spend on Apple products. If you buy a new iPhone, you can get a $50 credit. Education pricing is available to college students, students accepted to college and parents buying for college students.
THEME PARKS AND STUFF TO DO
Theme park discounts: Many college campuses sell student discounts for a variety of theme park destinations. UCF’s Student Government Association ticket center, for instance, offers deep discounts on tickets to Busch Gardens ($66 for a ticket), Walt Disney World ($73), SeaWorld ($68) and Universal Orlando ($68). Check with your school to find out what kinds of discounts your student status can score you.
Orlando Power Yoga: Combat the freshman 15 and meditate your stress away with Orlando Power Yoga’s student special. For $40, enjoy unlimited yoga classes for 40 consecutive days.
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
STA Travel, statravel.com: This discount student travel agency is like Expedia or Kayak, but just for college students. Search for student discounts and deals in airfare, accommodations and more. Hit this site up before you plan your semester abroad or spring-break vacation.
Geico, geico.com: Believe it or not, you could save up to $200 on your car insurance through Geico if you maintain a B or better average.
Safe Ride: Don’t drink and drive! UCF students can get a free cab ride home through Safe Ride. Just go to the UCF SGA ticket center, show your UCF ID, fill out a form and get a voucher for a cab ride up to $35. You get to use one of these every 60 days, so save it for an emergency.
FREE STUFF TO DO
Audubon Park Community Market, 6-10 p.m. Mondays, parking lot of Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road, audubonmarket.com: Local foods, art and live music make this weekly market a popular (and fun) weekly gathering spot.
Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 Forest Ave., leugardens.org: Revel in botanical wonders with free admission to Leu Gardens on the first Monday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon.
Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, enzian.org: See a free outdoor film on the lawn of the Enzian at its weekly Wednesday Night Pitcher Show.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, rollins.edu/cfam: Located on the Rollins College campus, the museum is not only free for students – it’s also free to the public for 2014.
Barley and Vine Biergarten, 2406 E. Washington St., barleyandvineorlando.com: Venture to the Milk District neighborhood for complimentary grub every Sunday from noon until it runs out.
Orlando Brewing, 1031 Atlanta Ave., orlandobrewing.com: Enjoy a free tour and complimentary ale samplings every Saturday.
Free yoga at Lake Eola Park: Participate in a free yoga class every Sunday at the corner of Washington and Eola; quality stretching begins at 11 a.m.
CityWalk at Universal Orlando: Even if you can’t afford to buy a ticket, you can wander CityWalk at Universal for nada.
