Navigating through the maze of student life in Canada can quickly get expensive. Fortunately, we have made this guide to help you save some money while you’re at it. So, buckle up because we’re about to drop some serious knowledge bombs on how to make the most out of our status as students to access benefits and discounts that'll have you saving big time!
Unlocking The Full Potential Of Our Student ID
First off, let's talk about those sweet, sweet student discounts. From clothing stores to tech shops, and even some restaurants, flashing our student IDs can unlock deals at a ton of places!
If you are passionate about technology or just on the lookout for a new flashy device, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and Adobe are a few of the companies offering juicy discounts. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity to get your hands on that fancy design software or that new phone you’ve been wanting! Also, don’t forget that streaming services like Spotify, Amazon, and Netflix also offer discounted rates for students.
Now, if you’re looking to get some new outfits for the Summer, there are many brands offering discounts such as American Eagle (10%) and Club Monaco (15%). As a rule of thumb, we should always ask if a store offers a student discount before purchasing something.
But wait, there's more! Many universities and colleges have partnerships with local businesses. This means you could be getting exclusive discounts that aren't available to the general public. Therefore, check with your school's student services for the inside scoop.
Explore More And Spend Less
Now, let's chat about travel. Whether we’re heading home for the holidays or exploring Canada's stunning landscapes, student discounts on transportation can be a game-changer. Companies like VIA Rail (train) and Greyhound (bus) offer reduced fares for students.
Additionally, part-time and full-time students who are members of Air Canada’s Aeroplan can acquire a Student Flight Pass. This pass lets you:
Purchase either 4 or 6 credits for one-way flights at locked-in prices.
Use your credits during the 12 months after the date of purchase.
Travel to select locations within Canada, as well as to Europe, North Africa, Colombia, Brazil, and Asia.
But if we are just trying to explore the local attractions or trying to commute to school, there are some discounts on local transit we can take advantage of. In Toronto, the TTC offers a discount on the monthly pass for students, and the U-Pass does a similar thing for UBC Students in Vancouver.
Speaking about local attractions, plenty of museums and venues also offer student discounts on tickets and shows. So, next time we’re thinking about attending an art exhibition or going to a concert, we could be saving money big time!
Study Hard, Manage Your Finances Smart
Here's a pro tip: always be on the lookout for student benefits in banking institutions. Many banks offer student accounts with zero fees and other perks like free movie tickets or cashback rewards. It’s a good idea to check with the bank of our choice to see the full list of benefits you can get, but generally, they offer students perks like:
Zero-monthly fee accounts
Free transactions/transfers
Budget trackers
Credit card fee rebates
Sign-up bonuses 🤑
Now, if we’re going through a rough patch, it’s okay to ask for a little help. The Canadian government offers financial aid to both part-time and full-time students. From grants and loans to emergency funds, there is financial support to help you get through your studies.
The only downside of this is that most of the programs are only available to citizens or PR holders, but it’s still worth considering them if we meet the criteria. For full eligibility, we recommend checking the government’s website canada.ca.
Stretching The Student Budget With Some Extra Discounts
We saved the best for last. If you want to access a bunch of discounts at once, there are multiple memberships and programs we can enroll in for a low fee.
Some worth mentioning are:
Student Price Card (SPC): This program is like this cool club where students get to enjoy some sweet deals. It's all about saving money on stuff like clothes, food, gadgets, and trips. Imagine spending up to 30% less at a bunch of top brands – over 450 to be exact. Plus, there are these exclusive perks and freebies that pop up just for members. And for those banking with CIBC, their student accounts offer an SPC+ membership on the house.
UniDays and Student Beans: Unidays and Studentbeans are pretty cool resources for students looking to snag some deals too! Whether it's fashion or tech, these platforms work like SPC, aggregating discounts in a single platform. It's like having a VIP pass to saving in the city, minus the velvet rope.
Finally, remember that most of these discounts require you to prove that you are indeed a student and might ask for an ID. If your school does not provide one, you should consider getting the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
The International Student Identity Card program opens a world of savings for full-time students. Recognized globally, it can help you get discounts in Canada and abroad. With an ISIC card on hand, you can unlock discounts in over 130 countries. Don’t want to pay for this card? Being a member of the Canadian Federation of Students comes with a free card.
So that’s it! Hopefully, these tips can help us Thrivve (hehe) financially while we study. Go forth and conquer those discounts, friends!
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