Back-to-School Subscription Essentials
Starting college or returning for a new semester? Here's what you actually need, what's a waste of money, and how to maximize student discounts.
Student Budget Reality
$30-50/mo
Reasonable monthly subscription budget for students. More than this and you're probably overspending.
Essential Student Subscriptions
| Service | Category | Student Price | Regular |
|---|---|---|---|
Notion Notes, assignments, project management in one place | Productivity | Free | $10/mo |
Spotify + Hulu Music for studying, shows for breaks | Entertainment | $5.99/mo | $21/mo |
Amazon Prime Student Free shipping, Prime Video, textbook deals | Shopping | $7.49/mo | $14.99/mo |
Microsoft 365 Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive | Productivity | Free | $6.99/mo |
Apple Music Apple TV+ included, good for Apple ecosystem | Entertainment | $5.99/mo | $10.99/mo |
Chegg Study Textbook solutions, expert Q&A (use judiciously) | Education | $14.95/mo | N/A |
Total for all essentials: ~$27-34/month with student discounts
Skip These (Money Traps)
Expensive meal kits
Dining hall + occasional cooking is cheaper
✓ Instead try: Grocery delivery like Instacart for essentials
Multiple streaming services
Pick one, share family plans, use free campus TV
✓ Instead try: Spotify student includes Hulu
Premium cloud storage
Students get free storage from school + Microsoft/Google
✓ Instead try: OneDrive (1TB free with school email)
Fitness app subscriptions
Free campus gym is already paid via tuition
✓ Instead try: Use campus facilities and trails
Credit monitoring paid tiers
Free Credit Karma is sufficient
✓ Instead try: Free annual reports from AnnualCreditReport.com
Student Money-Saving Tips
The Semester Budget
Typical 4-month semester costs:
Cancel Chegg during winter/summer break to save $30-60/year.
FAQs
What subscriptions do students actually need?
Minimum viable: Note-taking app (Notion/OneNote free), Cloud storage (Google Drive/OneDrive free with school), One streaming service (Spotify student with Hulu), Amazon Prime Student (for textbook shipping). Everything else is optional. Start minimal, add as needed.
How do I get student discounts?
Verify with your .edu email address. Most services use SheerID or UNiDAYS for verification. Some require annual re-verification. Keep your student ID handy. Discounts typically last 4 years or until graduation verification.
Is Chegg worth it?
Controversial. It can help with homework understanding, but many universities consider it academic dishonesty if used to copy answers. Use for explanations, not solutions. Consider free alternatives: Khan Academy, your professor's office hours, tutoring centers, and study groups.
Should I get Apple Music or Spotify?
Both are $5.99 for students. Spotify includes Hulu (better value if you want shows). Apple Music includes Apple TV+ (better if you're in Apple ecosystem). Both offer 3-month free trials. Try both, pick one.
Can I write off subscriptions as education expenses?
Sometimes. If required for a specific course (specialized software), it may qualify for education tax credits. Personal productivity tools generally don't qualify. Keep receipts and course syllabi requiring the software. Consult a tax professional.
Track Student Subscriptions
SaveSub helps students track subscriptions, find student discounts, and cancel before graduation when you lose .edu benefits.
Start Tracking (Free) →