This time of year, back-to-school shopping can wreak havoc on your budget, especially if you're adding tech purchases to your supply list. The right laptop can cost four figures, and some of the best tablets don't cost much less. Let's not forget day-to-day essentials, like clothes, books and other supplies you'll need throughout the year.
Some of the top retailers are trying to help lower the cost of being a student. From Apple to Microsoft to Walmart, you can save money on some of those back-to-school costs, earn cashback rewards to redeem later and even a discounted Prime membership. Hello, free two-day shipping.
Here's a list of student deals and discounts to cut the cost of new tech and other must-haves for this time of year.
Amazon
Amazon Prime for Young Adults offers discounts on tech and 5% cash back on eligible devices from brands including Amazon and Apple. Aside from tech discounts, students also get a discounted Prime membership after the six-month free trial ends. The membership includes free shipping, Prime Video and free GrubHub Plus food delivery fees.
Apple
Apple's Educational Savings program allows college students, parents, staff and homeschool teachers of all grade levels to save money on select Apple devices. You'll need to look for Apple's Educational Savings graduation cap symbol to see which devices qualify. If you add a qualifying device, the savings are automatically reflected in your total.
Currently, a few Educational Savings offers include:
- AirPods or an eligible accessory when you buy a Mac or iPad
- iPad Air starting at $549
- MacBook Air starting at $899
- MacBook Pro starting at $1,499
- iPad Pro starting at $899
- iMac starting at $1,249
Best Buy
Best Buy's Student Hub offers deals on select tech products, including tablets, laptops, headphones, and printers. The hub also discounts other dorm room tech, including TVs, mini fridges and security systems.
A special student discount isn't available, but you could find a deal on must-haves. For example, Best Buy's Student Hub has Apple's 13-inch M2 MacBook Air for $100 off, bringing it down to $700.
Dell
If you're looking for a Dell device, there are two savings options to compare. You'll get 10% off when you register for Dell Rewards and verify that you're a student. Dell also offers 2x Dell Rewards to verified students during the back-to-school event, and the discount is only applicable on Dell.com. High school students 16 and older, full-time and part-time students, and post-secondary and trade students may be eligible for the discount. You can sign in to your Dell account or create one to see if you qualify. If so, the discount will be applied in the cart.
Dell also has an Outlet Student Program. Instead of making the purchase online, you'll need to complete the purchase by calling 888-518-3355 or chat with a sales advisor.
To qualify for Dell's student discounts, you must have a student email address or acceptance letter for the current or next academic year. You won't be able to stack discounts or promotions with Dell's student discount. A discount can only be used once within 12 months and must be applied via Dell's Outlet Store.
HP
HP is offering up to 60% off select back-to-school products, plus free shipping. You can get an additional 10% off when you buy a PC with a display or accessory from HP.com.
Lenovo
College students and teachers get an extra 5% off purchases and free shipping with no minimum on Lenovo.com. And you can earn 3% to 9% cash back on select products as a My Lenovo Rewards member.
However, you won't be able to stack these two membership offers, so do the math to see which one will give you the biggest savings, especially if you plan to make future purchases. You'll need to verify your identity for the 5% student discount.
Logitech
You can get up to 10% off newly released items and 25% off other Logitech products on its website when you verify you're a student. You can only redeem the code for Logitech purchases once. Certain items are excluded, including products from Ultimate Ears, Jaybird Products, Pro Wheels, Pro Pedals, G Cloud and Astro Gaming. Business products and spare parts are also excluded.
There's a limit of three items per household, and the discount cannot be combined with other offers.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers 10% off to students, parents and teachers on select physical products from the Microsoft store. You'll need to enter the email address associated with your personal Microsoft account to see if you qualify for the savings. You'll see the student discount when you sign in.
Some Microsoft devices, including software, Xbox gaming consoles, games, Windows 11 and Windows 10, are exempt from the discount.
Samsung
Samsung offers discounted devices for students and teachers who verify their .edu email address. The special offers are only available for a limited time through Samsung.com or the Samsung app. No additional offers can be combined.
There is also a limit of two products per category, email and shipping address within a year.
Target
Target has three special offers as part of its Target Circle College Student Appreciation. Students will get 20% off with Target Circle on a qualifying storewide purchase until Sept. 27. There are a few exceptions and brands excluded from the offer.
Verified college students can save 50% on a Target Circle 360 membership, which would be $49 for the year until Sept. 13. The Target Circle membership includes same-day delivery and other monthly perks.
Students can also use their Target Circle card to get $50 off college supplies and save 5% on purchases.
Walmart
College and grad students get 50% off a Walmart Plus membership, making it $49. The membership includes free delivery, gas savings and free returns. Walmart Plus students also receive a Paramount Plus subscription and travel savings through Expedia, which come with 5% Walmart Cash to redeem toward future purchases.
To qualify for the membership discount and its savings, you must verify you're a student through Walmart's verification process, which you can verify again annually.
