This article is brought to you by GradGuard. We protect college students and their families from the financial risks of college life, like providing a refund for tuition or replacing a stolen backpack when your school may not. When the unexpected happens, GradGuard’s tuition insurance and renters insurance can help you get back on track.

College students have notoriously tight budgets. Between tuition, books, and overall living expenses, college life costs a lot of money. You may have a job, but expenses still add up quickly. Luckily for you, there are places that offer student benefits to help you save money while allowing you to experience things that you want to buy and do.

Amazon Prime Student

Amazon Prime is a popular service for users of Amazon, and with Amazon Prime Student, students receive a discount. With this service, you have access to Prime Video, food delivery, and the benefits of Amazon Prime at a discounted price. You even have access to things such as LinkedIn Premium, travel discounts via StudentUniverse, Calm, and more. This benefit is for those enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year program.

Image: maitree rimthong via https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-putting-coin-in-a-piggy-bank-1602726/

Academic services

College can be tough, and certain classes are more difficult than others. Luckily, there are plenty of academic resources on campus to help you out, even if your professors’ office hours do not fit your busy schedule. Your campus likely has a tutoring center where tutors are available to help you with a variety of subjects. Most campuses also have a writing center for helping with papers you are assigned. These things are included in your tuition, so you do not have to pay anything extra.

Career Center

Even though you may be focused on academics and student life, when you graduate, you will need to find a job. Your campus likely has a career center to help you navigate your job search, from job and internship boards to resume help and more. There may even be specific career centers for your specific major. The career center also hosts a variety of workshops and events, including career fairs, so you can attend to learn more about job prospects and internship opportunities. While you may want to enjoy student life, it is important to get started with thinking about your career as well.

Campus gym

Your campus likely has a gym where you can work out with a variety of equipment. Your membership could either be discounted or if you are lucky, free. If you are paying for a gym off-campus, consider checking out the campus gym to see if they have what you want and see how it compares to your current gym. It is important to stay healthy so you can stay on top of your busy schedule and academics.

Safety services

Even if your campus is located in a safe neighborhood or safety, nowhere is exempt from crime. If you have to be out late at night and you are alone, your campus likely has safety services such as shuttle buses and walking escorts to help keep you safe. Find out how to utilize these services and if there is a phone number to call, put it in your phone so you have it for when you need it. Even if you are a savvy person and feel like you can be okay on your own, having a backup is a good idea.

Food discounts

Food is expensive, and as a college student, it may be tempting to eat nothing but ramen or mac and cheese to save money. However, this is not healthy and will get boring after a while. Many food places offer student discounts, especially if they are located near campus. If you are unsure if a restaurant has student discounts, check their websites or just ask when you order. Many retail stores offer student discounts as well, so it is worth asking about.

Free events

It is likely that your campus has a variety of free events, from guest lectures and poetry readings to plays and music concerts. These are great opportunities to gain some cultural experiences for a free or discounted cost. Many lectures offer free food as well, so you can eat while learning- it is a win-win situation. Check to see if you have to register ahead of time so you are not surprised when you get there. Take advantage of these opportunities as guest lecturers are often experts in their fields, giving you an opportunity to learn. If you go to a lecture outside of your major, you have a chance to learn something you would not have otherwise. Some teachers may even assign these kinds of events to help you branch out of your comfort zone.

Museum discounts

If you go to school in a city or town that has a number of museums, you may want to check them out but are overwhelmed at the cost. Many times, students receive discounted admission to museums with a valid student ID. This can help ensure that you are able to have a cultural experience without breaking your budget. Look at the museums’ websites under the “Admission” section as the student discount rate is typically listed there.

College is expensive, but there are plenty of opportunities to save money and take advantage of benefits you never even knew existed.

It’s no secret that college costs a lot of money. Make sure your investment in higher education is protected with GradGuard. Our affordable tuition insurance and renters insurance plans are specifically designed for college students. Customizable plans make it easy to protect your tuition, room and board, laptop, bike, and so much more.