The Wilkes student ID allows students access to computer labs, meals, dorms and various other things around campus.
What many people do not know, however, is how many places offer student discounts with valid identification.
Students can get discounts in retail, electronics, insurances, cars, online shopping and even travel. This is a list of national stores that give little known student discounts. Most range from 10-20 percent depending on the retailer.
Many people are unaware of these discounts, such as senior English/education major Matt Bishop.
“I had no clue any of these places had that,” Bishop said.
Depending on the retail chain, certain stores are allowed to determine their percentage off due to the manager’s preference and the number of colleges in the surrounding area.
This is a short list of the many stores that do, however, participate:
Apparel/Retail
J. Crew
Banana Republic
TopShop
Amazon
Ann Taylor
Sam’s Club
Ralph Lauren
Sally Beauty Supply
Juicy Couture
Charlotte Russe
Urban Outfitters
Buy.com
Forever 21
UGG
Walmart
Foot Locker
Pacsun
Under Armour
Sephora
Express
TOMS
Gap
Nordstrom
Shoedazzle
Fossil
ModCloth
Target
E.l.f.
Proactiv
Ulta
Lids
Cabela’s
Staples
Electronics/Software
Apple
Sony
HP
Dell
Adobe
Norton
Corel
Rosetta Stone
Entertainment
Cinemark
RC Theaters
AMC Theaters
Madame Tussauds
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Museum of Modern Art
Direct TV
Food
Subway
Arby’s
Dairy Queen
Chik-Fil-A
Starbucks
Insurance/ Travel
Allstate
Geico
State Farm
Farmers
AAA
Esurance
Grey Hound
Travelers
Amtrak
Various
Inkspector.com
Academic Superstore
General Motors
The Economist
The New York Times
The Wall Street Journal
Jiffy Lube
Walgreens
AT&T
Sprint
T-Mobile
Verizon
Even students who knew about some of these discounts find more at every turn.
Senior English major Jonathan Kadjeski said, “I knew there were a few, but I do feel like I learn about a new one every day. No, I had no clue there were this many discounts.”
Some of these stores are franchises and therefore have the option to not include a student discount. That is rare, however, and it never hurts to ask if a student ID card will bring down your bill.
Sometimes a student ID card can get students discounts on travel passes for tourist attractions.
For example, the three-day pass of Philadelphia that includes all the major tourist sites comes down in price about $20.
Philadelphia also has a discounted over 21 Pub Crawl event that has major discounts for students.
Students can also invest in the Student Advantage card. For $20 a year, students can receive discounts when shopping at large retailers such as Target, Armani Exchange, certain hotels, magazines and even concert tickets.
Smaller stores and boutiques near the campus have student discounts such as Outrageous, some Dunkin Donuts, Movies 14 and various pizza places.
Beware, some discounts are cash back only. This will only apply if paying in cash is an option for you. While these discounts are usually small, they can cover taxes of the item you buy.
Most student IDs can also work in other states, as universities and colleges are usually recognized in at least a tri-state area.
As students, many of us are already drowning in debt and not even finished with our degrees.
Little savings here and there can help, and all the money saved will add up to help pay down loans or maybe buy something new you really need.
For more lists of student discounts visit studentunvierse.com.
