Streaming Services And VPN: Where’s My Student Discount?

Being a student is expensive, and anyone familiar with dorm life will tell you that anything you can do to live a little cheaper is worth the extra effort. Trying to study on a budget is important, what with textbooks costing the arm and leg that they do these days, and let’s not even get into the exorbitant price of tuition. That’s why it’s important when you’re attending college or university that you try to save money wherever you can, including on the monthly services you pay for that cover things like streaming and Internet privacy. 

College students rely heavily on streaming platforms for entertainment but often find many popular services blocked on campus networks. VPN allows students to bypass censorship restrictions and access content. Fortunately, top providers like NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost offer exclusive student discounts, making privacy protection and unrestricted streaming more affordable. These leading services provide discounts through verification platforms like Student Beans, where students can create an account using their .edu emails and confirm their status with a student ID. 

The discounts, ranging from 68% off NordVPN to 79% off CyberGhost, apply to 2-year subscription plans. Once purchased, students can download the VPN app to any device, connect to a server to mask their location, and unblock geo-restricted platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more, regardless of campus Wi-Fi limitations. With streaming-optimized servers and no data limits, subscribing to a discounted VPN grants students reliable access to all their favorite shows and movies.

So, which streaming services and providers offer the best VPN student discounts in the business? Read on in our guide to find out!

What Is A Student Discount And How Does It Work?

To start, it helps to know exactly what a student discount is and how you can use it to your advantage the next time you sign up for a service online. They work something like this: you go to a particular signup page made specifically for students, register using an email address that ends in “.edu” (and is recognized as an accredited university), and then you get to enjoy massive discounts only available to college students!

But which providers and streaming services offer a student discount, and where are you out of luck in this department?

Streaming Services With Student Discounts

Ring is undoubtedly one of the best when you add up all the savings over a year. Usually, an Amazon Prime subscription would set you back $99 annually if you buy the whole year upfront or $12.99 per month if you want to get billed every 30 days ($155.88 annually). With a student discount, you can cut that price in half to just $6.49 per month or $59 per year.

Not only will you get major savings on the monthly plan, but those who sign up for Amazon Student through the company’s page will also get a whopping six-month free trial to see if you even like the product in the first place. This means that if you went with the monthly plan after the six-month trial ended, you would only pay $38.94 for an entire year of service!

When you consider that you also get all the benefits that come with an Amazon Prime subscription, like free shipping and access to the Prime Now same-day delivery service, it’s clear that Amazon offers one of the best deals for college students.

HBONow

Although HBO now used to offer a student discount, which brought the monthly subscription price of the service down to $9.99 per month (from the standard $14.99/month), the company has stated that it will no longer allow new students to sign up for discounts on the service using their .edu emails.

HBO hasn’t elaborated on why they ceased offering the program, but if you already have the discount applied to your account, you can keep that price as long as you continue to pay the bill on time and don’t let the subscription lapse.

Apple Music

Apple Music offers a 50% student discount for anyone who signs up through their school-issued email address, bringing the monthly cost of $9.99 per month down to just $4.99.

Although this is by no means an expensive option, considering that the new Spotify/Hulu combo deal is the same price and offers the benefit of getting a whole library of TV/movies to watch each month, we’d recommend going that route instead. Plus, unlike Apple Music, which is locked to the Apple ecosystem of devices, Spotify and Hulu stream to just about any device you can think of.

Netflix 

Netflix is another streaming service that doesn’t care about participating in the whole “students stream cheap” thing and doesn’t offer any sort of discount for those with a .edu email address. Right now the cheapest plan the company offers is $7.99 a month, which gives you streaming access on one device but doesn’t even offer the option to stream in HD. In our opinion, this essentially makes that plan useless because who wants to watch gorgeously shot documentaries like Planet Earth in 480p?

If you want HD access, you’ll have to go one more tier up to the $10.99 a month plan, and the company also offers another bump to the UHD/4K plan for $13.99 a month if you happen to have a TV that features that resolution.

Spotify/Hulu

Earlier this year, the music streaming service Spotify teamed up with TV streaming service Hulu to offer one of the best deals of our era: Student Discount Free for 1 month, just $5.99/month after that.

Even though Spotify technically has a plan designed for students that grants you access for $4.99 a month, the company also offers a combo pack with unlimited access to Hulu’s commercial plan for $4.99. Previously, signing up for both services individually would set you back $18.99 per month.

Spotify technically does have an ad-supported free version that students can use if they want to, but Hulu no longer offers a free option. The bonus of the combo subscription Hullu, Disny+ means that for just five bucks a month, you get access to unlimited music and TV/movies, which easily makes it the best student discount for those who study hard but also like to take a break once in a while to catch up on their stories.

Amazon Prime Video 

Of all the great deals on this list, Amazon offers great student discounts. These discounts can be availed at any moment you want to subscribe. You just have to go to their website and select your favorite bundle that suits your exact requirements. They offer a very budget-friendly bundle, and their offers start from 6.49$ per month or 69$ per year.

VPN Student Discounts In 2024

VPNs are essential tools for students seeking online privacy, unrestricted access to educational resources, and secure browsing on public Wi-Fi. Some of the top providers not only offer excellent features but also provide special VPN student discount offers. Below is an overview of the best VPNs with a focus on their student discount offers, making it easier to find the best student VPN discount for you.

1. NordVPN  

NordVPN is a globally recognized VPN service known for its robust security features, high-speed servers, and extensive network spanning 111 countries. It is an excellent choice for streaming, bypassing geo-restrictions, and maintaining online privacy. If you’re looking for a VPN discount for students, NordVPN should be on your radar.

NordVPN Student Discount

NordVPN provides a 15% discount for students through platforms like Student Beans, Youth Discount, and Destu. This vpn student discount applies to their long-term plans, making it affordable for students while retaining premium features.  

• How to Claim: Verify your student status on one of the partnered platforms, get a discount code, and apply it during checkout.  

Price with Discount: As low as $2.71/month on a 2-year plan.

2. Surfshark  

Surfshark stands out for offering unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for students with multiple devices. It is known for its user-friendly design and focus on privacy and affordability.

Surfshark VPN Student Discount  

Surfshark offers an incredible 79% discount along with two months free for students. This student vpn discount is accessible through Student Beans. Surfshark’s already competitive pricing, combined with this discount, makes it a top choice for budget-conscious students who are looking for a student discount VPN.  

• How to Claim: Visit the Surfshark website, verify your student status, and redeem the discount code.  
• Why It’s Worth It: Unlimited device connections mean you can protect your laptop, phone, and tablet with a single subscription.  

3. CyberGhost 

CyberGhost is well-suited for beginners due to its intuitive interface and pre-configured modes for securely streaming, torrenting, and browsing. It boasts a large server network and a no-log policy.

CyberGhost VPN Student Discount  

Students can enjoy a discounted plan with three months free on select subscriptions. This offer significantly reduces the cost of a long-term subscription, giving students access to premium VPN discount for students features without breaking the bank.  

How to Claim: Go to the CyberGhost student discount page, verify your status, and apply the offer at checkout.  

4. Windscribe VPN

Windscribe is a highly versatile VPN service that offers both free and paid plans. It’s particularly popular among students for its generous free tier, which includes up to 10 GB of data monthly, and its user-friendly approach. Windscribe also provides robust security features like ad-blocking, tracker prevention, and a no-logs policy.

Windscribe VPN Student Discount  

Windscribe offers an up to 40% discount on its yearly plans for students. This VPN with student discount makes it affordable while providing unlimited data and access to premium servers, which are not available in the free tier. Verification is usually done through student-focused platforms or email confirmations.  

• How to Claim: Visit Windscribe’s website, look for the student discount section, and follow the verification steps.  
• Additional Benefit: The free tier itself is a good option for light users who need occasional VPN access without paying upfront.

5. ProtonVPN  

ProtonVPN, developed by the creators of ProtonMail, is renowned for its strong focus on security and privacy. It offers a free tier and paid plans with advanced features for heavy users.

ProtonVPN Student Discount  

ProtonVPN periodically offers discounts for students on its premium plans. While not as steep as other providers, it is a solid choice for students prioritizing privacy and encryption. If privacy is paramount to you, this student vpn discount is a compelling option.

Additional Benefit: ProtonVPN’s free plan is a great way for students to start with basic VPN protection.  

6. HideMyAss! (HMA VPN)

HMA VPN is known for its user-friendly interface and robust security features. It provides global server coverage and a simple setup, ideal for students who need reliable protection without technical complexity. It offers features like a kill switch, IP shuffling, and military-grade encryption.

HMA VPN Student Discount

HMA VPN offers a substantial 75% discount on its three-year subscription plan for students. This brings the cost down to a highly affordable rate, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. Verification of student status may be required, typically through platforms like Student Beans. This VPN student discount provides excellent value for long-term use.

7. Private Internet Access (PIA)

PIA stands out with its extensive server network and unlimited device connections, ensuring both speed and flexibility. Its user-friendly features include ad-blocking, advanced encryption protocols, and a strict no-logs policy.

PIA VPN Student Discount

During its back-to-school sales, PIA provides an impressive 71% discount on its plans, reducing the monthly cost to as low as $2.69. This deep discount makes PIA not only affordable but also one of the most cost-effective premium VPN for students.

These VPNs provide essential online security tools tailored to student needs, combining premium features with affordable pricing. Whether you need unlimited connections with Surfshark, the reliability of NordVPN, or the user-friendly experience of CyberGhost, these student discount VPN providers ensure budget-friendly options.

The Bottom Line 

When setting out to research this article, we assumed there would be a lot more discounts available to students on VPN plans than there were. Given how keen the industry is to constantly refresh their discounts, it was surprising to see that so few recognized the struggle that students go through when it comes to their monthly bills. The discounts we did find were minimal at best.

That said, streaming services like Spotify and Hulu seem to understand that students need to keep their budgets as tight as possible, and the Spotify/Hulu Student combo plan is one of the best around when it comes to streaming music and TV shows online.

As we know, leading providers such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost provide exclusive student discounts, making privacy protection and unrestricted streaming more affordable for college students. These discounts, verified through Student Beans using a .edu email and student ID, offer savings of up to 79% off multi-year plans. Once purchased, students can download the VPN app on any device to securely access restricted platforms, bypass campus network blocks, and stream content worldwide.

The encryption also safeguards students’ privacy when using public Wi-Fi. With servers optimized specifically for streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+, subscribing to a VPN student discount gives the ability to seamlessly access all their favorite shows and movies, regardless of geographic restrictions or university network limitations.