Amazon Prime Student: 6 Reasons It”’s a Good Idea

The benefits of an Amazon Prime membership to students are evident: two-day shipping alone provides a compelling argument for the service. But at $79/year, Amazon Prime is too expensive for many students.

Enter Prime Student: a half-priced version of Prime available exclusively to those getting their education.

Prime Student subscribers get access to the majority of Prime benefits, including free, two-day shipping. It's a more affordable version of Amazon Prime for enrolled students.

What's more, you can get a free six-month trial of Amazon Prime when you join Prime Student.

Whether you're looking for textbooks, dorm-room supplies, clothing, or furniture, you can find it on Amazon. And during your trial, it comes with free, two-day shipping. Knowing you get the items you need without a major time commitment or long delay will streamline your transition to college life.

Amazon Prime Student in a nutshell

1. Free, two-day shipping on Amazon.com
2. Open to students only
3. Access to Prime Video and other Amazon services
4. Student-only promotions and giveaways
5. Half-price Prime memberships after the free, six-month trial

Who is eligible for the Prime Student free trial?

To get your Prime Student membership, you'll need a valid .edu email address. Additionally, membership is limited to those currently enrolled in school. All Prime Student members must provide proof of enrollment upon request.

The Prime Student discount on Amazon Prime ends after four years or when you leave school, whichever comes first.

If you don't meet the above criteria, then you're limited to the standard-issue Amazon Prime. At $79/year, it's more expensive than Amazon Student, but many still find it to be a good value.

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A quick recap...

You can get Amazon Prime Student if:

• You are currently enrolled in school
• You have a valid .edu email address
• You can provide proof of enrollment

Now, let's look at the primary benefits students can expect from Prime Student.

Amazon Prime Student key benefits

1. Get a risk-free, six-month trial of Amazon Prime

Right now, Amazon provides a six-month trial of Amazon Prime as part of the Prime Student program. If you're a student, you can take advantage of nearly all of Prime's benefits during this trial—for free.

So, if you're not sure if Prime is a worthwhile investment, or you just want to take advantage of the free trial during your first quarter of school, you can do so without worry.

2. Free two-day shipping can be extra useful for students

The Prime Student free trial includes access to free, two-day shipping, the cornerstone of Amazon Prime. Reasons students benefit most from free two-day shipping:

• Get your textbooks fast. If you purchase your textbooks on Amazon, you can find Prime-eligible sellers that will get you your textbooks just two days. Add a new class and need your books quick, or forget to place your order? Two-day shipping might save you from having to overpay for new books at the university bookstore.
• Make your dorm room livable. It's almost a guarantee that you'll forget something when you move in. Whether it's a coffee maker, an air freshener, or any other everyday essential, you'll find it on Amazon and get it in a couple of days.
• Meet unexpected class requirements. Imagine starting a new distance education class. On your first day, you realize that you can't hear the classroom over the noise of the coffee shop where you like to work. Two-day shipping means you can get a new headset or noise-canceling headphones before your next class session without having to waste time visiting a retail store.

Quick shipping is especially helpful for students who leave their cars at home. Carrying items on public transportation or getting a ride from friends can be tough and time-consuming.

3. Get unlimited streaming with Prime Video

Prime Video allows unlimited streaming of thousands of movies, TV shows, and award-winning Amazon Originals—and Prime Student members get access for free. When you need to unwind, what better way than with your favorite show?

Even if you have Netflix or Hulu, often Prime Video will offer exclusive shows or movies. If you stream just one during your free trial—hey, it was free, so no worries!

4. Get exclusive deals and promotions for Students

As a Prime Student member, you get exclusive offers and discounts on items you love, need, and want. You'll be eligible for student-aimed sweepstakes, giveaways, and contests.

In October 2015, Amazon ran a three-day “Amazon Student Days” event during which they offered special discounts and giveaways just for Prime Student members. It's likely Amazon will revisit this event regularly.

5. Store your photos securely, and access them from anywhere

If you're new to college, expect to capture a lot of memories. Prime Student is a secure place to store them.

The free Prime Student trial and subsequent Prime membership unlock access to the Prime Photos service offering unlimited photo storage. Store your visual experiences in the cloud at no cost.

6. Make cash by getting your friends on board with Prime Student

As a member of Prime Student, you can refer a friend to the program for a win-win: you both get $5. Enterprising students might use this referral program to cover the costs of their discounted Prime membership when the free trial ends.

7. Prime Student membership gets you a 50% Prime discount for up to four years

After your six-month Prime Student trial, your subscription automatically changes to a full, paid Prime subscription, but at a 50% discount. You'll get this discount for four years or until you graduate, whichever comes first.

If you're already a Prime subscriber or were planning to join Prime anyway, you can save a couple hundred dollars during your time at college.

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A few things to keep in mind

Considerations regarding a Prime Student membership:

Impulse spending may rock your world—in a bad way

A simple click to buy and two-day delivery make it easy to go on a spending spree. Monitor your spending habits and make sure the program's convenience doesn't drive your purchasing.

Set a reminder for the end of the six-month trial

Once your free trial begins, set a reminder to review it when the trial period ends (in your phone, planner, to-do list—wherever you won't forget it). Then, evaluate your experience with Prime Student before moving to a paid membership. It's a simple step, but reviewing the trial's benefits will lead to an informed decision, instead of a decision made for you through forgetfulness or inertia.

Make a lot of Prime-eligible purchases or regularly stream Prime Video during your trial? A paid membership may be worthwhile. And if you didn't get much benefit out of the trial or were in it solely because it was free, setting a reminder might save you from a paid membership you'll regret or won't use.

Either way, the reminder allows you to start the free trial without worrying how it might backfire in time.

The free trial doesn't include a few Prime benefits

A few regular Prime benefits aren't offered with the trial, only when you sign up for a paid plan. The limitations include Prime Music, Kindle Owners' Lending Library, and select shopping discounts.

Once the trial ends, Prime Student members can get full access to all Prime benefits at the 50%-discount price.

Get a free trial of Prime Student

If you set a reminder to review your trial and know what you're getting into, signing up for a free trial poses little risk. At the end of the day, Prime Student provides a great opportunity to test-drive a valuable service.

Visit the Amazon Student homepage to start your free trial!

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