Tuition is expensive, but thankfully there are a few financial perks of being a college student. There are hundreds of student discounts available for the savvy student who knows where to find them. Whether you live in a traditional college town or not, there are likely countless discounts waiting for you to take advantage of them. Keep reading to learn about a few typical discounts for college kids that you should be on the lookout for in your area.

Orientation Week and Clubs

The first week of school is a great time to get some excellent freebies and discounts. This is the time when every club, organization, and business is trying to make an impression on you. Just wandering around campus and attending a few events can earn you free food, school merchandise, clothes, and other goodies. There will likely be occasional freebies and giveaways throughout the year, but the beginning of a semester is always the best time to scope out the deals around campus.
 

Local Businesses

In a college town, many local businesses want to cater to the students to tap into a large market. Many locations will have their discounts posted clearly to draw students in, but others may be more subtle. It doesn’t hurt to ask if the nearby restaurants and shops will offer you a student discount for showing your ID. Some local hot spots might offer discounts, but they may not broadcast them, so be sure to keep your eyes and ears open—and don’t be afraid to ask.
 

Car Insurance Discounts

According to the Halifax insurance professionals at Eisenhauer Insurance Inc., the younger you are, the harder it is to get affordable car insurance—especially if you’ve got an accident or a few tickets on your record. Fortunately, some insurance companies will offer you discounts just for attending college. Others offer discounts to “resident” college students who are not using their vehicle while away at school, but may use it while at home. The most common type of college discount is the good student discount. This usually requires you to be enrolled full time and make at least a 3.0 GPA average. If your college offers driving courses, such as defensive driving, taking those can also lower your rate.
 

Entertainment

With a student ID in hand, you usually won’t have to pay full price for a movie. Theme parks sometimes also offer discount tickets on special days for students as well. Local bars and clubs often have a number of discount nights to help out the local student population. Stay aware of what your school offers as well, since campus life can result in free or discounted concerts, theme park tickets, sports games, or other events, not to mention campus parties or homecoming fairs.
 

Cultural Events and Displays

Many of the nation’s museums are free with a student ID. Fairs, science centers, and cultural events often give out discounts as well. Some of these discounts are location and school specific, while other institutions will accept any student ID—so ask even when you’re traveling. Once again, many of these events might not advertise the discount, but it never hurts to ask!
 

Transportation

Some schools, especially those in metropolitan areas, will offer complementary subway, train, or bus cards to their students. You can also get a discount on Amtrack tickets or a CoachUSA bus ride home for the holidays with your student ID. Even if the school doesn’t have their own shuttle or bus system, they usually provide a discount on local transportation systems just for being a student. You can typically get a bus or subway pass that lasts for an entire school year at a fraction of the normal price.
 
Being a broke college student can be hard, but being a student does have its advantages. Get to know the local student discounts to ensure you can eat well and have a good time on a tight college budget. Even if you are saving a dollar here or there, those discounts will add up—and we all know even a few extra dollars really go a long way when you are a college student.