Where to find student discounts in Canada

Are you eligible for a student discount?

While the eligibility for each student discount may vary, the general requirements are pretty simple:

• Be enrolled in a qualifying post-secondary education program
• Provide proof of current enrollment

Providing proof is pretty simple. Either show your student ID card or any other documentation from the school to show you are a current student.

Student discount programs

One of the best options for student discounts are designated student discount programs. These programs provide you with a loyalty card that comes equipped with discounts for a variety of things at multiple businesses.

Here are some of Canada’s top rated student discount programs you might want to check out:

Student Price Card (SPC)

The Student Price Card, or SPC, offers 450+ student-exclusive deals, discounts, giveaways, contests, and limited-time offers. At the membership cost of $10/year, this card will grant you access to discounts on things like food, tech, clothing, travel, and more. You can use the SPC to redeem discounts both in-person and online

UNiDAYS Canada

UNiDAYS is a discount website for students that directs you to a variety of affiliated retailers offering discounts. Any student aged 16 or older can register for free. Membership gets you access discounts on a variety of brands, from clothing to tech to health and fitness.

StudentBeans

The StudentBeans student discount program connects you to a variety of student deals offered on things like health, beauty, and tech. The program is accompanied by an app to make utilizing discounts and finding the best deals for you as easy as possible. The best part is that this program offers Canadian students targetted deals, meaning you can expect to shop, get a deal and pay in Canadian funds.

ISIC (International Student Identity Card)

Probably the most well-known student program, the ISIC card provides global discounts on travel, shopping, and more — around the neighbourhood and across the globe. The global scope of ISIC is helpful if you live in one area of the country or world and go to school in another region of if choose to travel for the summer trip or spend a semester abroad.

Campus resources

Almost all post-secondary campuses will have a student campus office where you can ask for guidance on how the school works, as well as discounts and freebies offered around campus. For instance, many student unions often negotiate exclusive deals and discounts on a variety of products and services that include big brand names as well as local companies.

The student office is also a great place to learn about targetted campus-only sales and giveaways. You never know but you could walk away with some free swag.

Retail discounts

Many retailers and brand-names offer unique discounts just for students. For example:

• Apple Education Pricing: Students can often get discounts on Apple products through the Apple Education Store.
• Microsoft Education Store: Offers discounted software and sometimes hardware for students.
• Nike, Adidas, and Other Brands: Many sportswear brands offer student discounts or special promotions.

Local and online retailers

Brand name stores often roll-out annual student discount pricing, starting in July or August (before the new school year starts). However, to fight back against the big brands, many local and online-only retailers are now offering their own student discount incentives.

To find the best options, go to your local store, coffee shop or pub and ask if the business supports student discounts. Chances are you'll find out when and where it costs less to enjoy local business goods and services.

For online retailers, includin Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart, sign-up for email newsletters and scan subject-lines for student-specific pricing. Like big brands, these online retailers typically offer discounts at specific times of the year.

Food, restaurants, and groceries: Food and dining student discounts

Not only are there plenty of discounted offerings to accompany you on a night out with friends at a restaurant, but there are plenty for essential grocery purchases too! These discounts are sure to help you cut costs and get the ingredients you need to stay healthy amidst the stress of school.

• Bulk Barn: Save 10% off your purchase on Wednesdays with valid student ID
• Metro: Get 10 to 15% off your groceries on student discount days at participating locations
• Subway: Save 10% off your meal with valid student ID
• St. Louis Bar & Grill: Get $5 or 20% off deals on various menu items with valid student ID
• Chipotle: Receive a free soft drink with your meal when you show your student ID
• Freshii: Save 15% off your meal with valid student ID
• Zehrs: 10% off purchases made on Tuesdays and Thursdays with valid student ID.
• Dairy Queen: Save 10% off your meal with valid student ID

Public transportation and travel discounts

Many students commute to school or rely on public transportation to get around. Check with your local public transit provider to see if there are student discounts. Here are some companies that offer student discounts to help you get around without breaking the bank.

• GO Transit: You can save at least 17% on fares with an approved sticker on your transit pass
• Via Rail: Students can travel across Canada with an Unlimited Semester Pass for $499. Via Rail also offers reduced youth pricing on all travel if you are between the ages of 16-25
• TTC: Post-secondary students can purchase a monthly pass at the discounted rate of $128.15
• Translink: The BC public transportation service offers discounts to post-secondary students, who can save as much as $140 per month on an unlimited pass.
• Greyhound: Save 10% on adult fares and up to 45% on trips to and from select universities

Electronics and technology discounts

Nowadays, school supplies go far beyond pencils and paper. Having the software and tech necessary to succeed in your studies is important, and these retailers offer great deals to help you do just that at a fraction of the price.

• Apple Student Discount in Canada: Discounted products are available through Apple’s Education Pricing shop
• Staples: Shop for supplies and tech during back-to-school season for discounts
• Lenovo: Discounts on laptops and printers
• Adobe: Students can get 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
• Best Buy: Save 10%-30% on student deals
• Telus: Get 3 GB extra data for $5 on any premium smartphone upgrade or activation on a two-year plan

Entertainment and cultural discounts

There's no point spending all your time and money focused on your studies if you can't unwind or take in the sights and sounds. The good news is that many large and small cultural and entertainmnent venues will offer student pricing. For instance, many museums and attractions offer reduced or free admission for students. Plus, most streaming services offer a student account. To save, look into the student pricing offered by Spotify, Netflix, or Apple Music.

Everything else

Just because you’re a student, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself sometimes! You can get discounts on things like clothing, shoes, subscription service, beauty products, wellness, books, and more without worrying about overspending on non-essentials. Here are a few examples you might want to check out:

• Adidas: Receive 30% off full-priced purchases online at adidas.com
• H&M: Get 15% off in-store purchases with valid student ID
• Amazon: Students can get 50% Amazon Prime service
• GoodLife: Discounted rates for student memberships.
• Book Outlet: 5% student discount.
• PC Financial: Free daily banking that lets students earn interests on their account balances
• Bath and Body Works: 10% off your purchase in-store
• Spotify: Half-price monthly membership with enrollment verification
• Reebok: 30% discount on full price products and 15% on sale products after proof of enrolment has been provided

Student credit cards

Beginning to build your credit while you’re a student is a great idea and pretty simple to accomplish with student-specific credit cards. These cards are designed with student finances and lifestyles in mind in order to make them easy to use and qualify for.

One of the greatest things about student credit cards is the money-saving perks that come along with them like cash back on purchases. If you’re going to be spending money anyways, it doesn’t hurt to build a positive credit history, earn money, and benefit from exclusive discounts all at once.

If you want to discover the right student credit card for you, see our article on the Best Student Credit Cards in Canada and start saving. If you qualify, you can also check out other cash-back credit cards that aren’t specifically made for students and reap the rewards in a different way. Even with a student credit card, you’ll still have ways to continue getting the card benefits after you graduate, so this makes for a great option if you’re shopping around for your first credit card.

Here are a few student credit cards and their offerings that we think you should check out:

• BMO Cashback Mastercard
• Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
• KOHO Credit Card

Student banking and financial services

Many banks offer special accounts with no fees or perks tailored for students. Since a bank account is critical — you need to pay bills and deposit funds — it's best to consider promotions from bank providers that offer the services that you require. To find options that fit your needs, read the Money.ca guide on student day-to-day bank accounts, or read more on student loans.

Memberships and subscriptions

One final place to look for student discounts is through membership and subscription services. For instance, Costco offers student discounts on their annual membership fees through their ID.me shop. You can also find discounts at many local and franchise-chain gyms.

Final thoughts

Despite the stereotypes, being a student does not inherently mean you have to be constantly struggling and broke. By keeping an eye out for student discounts and rewards opportunities you can cut costs, save money while you’re in school, and sometimes even earn more than if you weren’t taking advantage of these savings opportunities. Do yourself a favour and take advantage of these types of rewards while you still can.

— with files from Renee Williams

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