Many places have reduced yearly rates for students, which can help cut costs and allow for economical exposure to quality culture, communities, and experiences. If you are like me, you are about to graduate and are in strategic mode of planning how you will live as an ~official adult~. Whether you have already landed your dream job or not, it is not to late to take advantage of the last little amount of time you have as a student. If you are not graduating, that’s even better, because why not cut costs, start networking and enjoy a lower cost while engaged full time as a student? Check out just a few of the discounts and deals I have found for students to take advantage of. Hot tip: Most places, if you ask, have something special for students. Sometimes the student discount is a minimal 10%, other times, the price sky-rockets when you are no longer a student, such as with professional associations.
Professional Memberships:
The kind of networking and resources memberships like these offer pays for the investment. Think of it as a part of your start-up cost as a professional (only discounted!). Here are just a few:
- AIGA (The American Institute of Graphic Arts)
- Society of Illustrators
- ASIFA-South
- The Graphic Artists Guild
- Surface Design Association
Conventions & Conferences
Many places have free attendance if you volunteer even if you are not a student, but these professional conventions like to give access to select students for the purpose of professional exposure and networking – think of it like a many apprenticeship, where you get to serve under the professionals you look up to. Here are just a few:
- ICON (Illustration Conference)
- SIGGRAPH
- Atlanta Film Society – volunteer, student discount
Student Competitions
Self-Promotion
- Squarespace: get your website for 1/2 price the first year by using your student email to sign up.
- MOO.com – students save 15%.
Technology/Software
- Dell
- Apple
- Adobe Creative Cloud – either use this discount, or you can just download SCAD’s free version that you will have access to for a year. SCAD gives free access to the ACC for use on your own technology while a student.
- Microsoft
- hp
- AT&T
- T-Mobile
- Best Buy
Travel
Newspapers/Magazine Subscription
Entertainment (music, theaters, etc. +)
Others
Insurance
Discounts available to SCAD students specifically
- Creative Approach (Printing place in Savannah and Atlanta started by SCAD Alum)
- Places that accept SCAD Cash
- Get a $30 quarterly membership to the Geogria Aquarium! Go to the first floor and ask – they will point you in the right direction.
- Free access to SCAD FASH, SCAD Show, lectures, events…
- Find the links on your MySCAD for:
- ToonBoom
- Microsoft Office 365
- Adobe Creative Cloud
Discounts for International Students
- International Student Identity Card
- The Economist Magazine
- Verizon
Some of my favorites:
- MARTA – A $68.50 monthly pass is available for students, a $26.50 saving from the regular monthly pass.
- Atlanta Braves – For select games, purchase one upper box ticket and get one free. (Most sporting events will have student discounts, just ask! And, stay tuned, Her Campus SCAD Atlanta may have some sweet discounts for you next year to see Atlanta United Soccer Team!)
- Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center – Free admission every day. Plus membership bonuses.
- The High Museum of Art in ATL is only $35 per year for a student.
- MODA (Museum of Design Atlanta) – across the street from The High and it’s $25/year.
Why not take advantage of these opportunities offered to students while you can? And beyond discounts, the amount of free events, lectures and portfolio opportunities that SCAD students are given access to is priceless.