Student Notes: What .edu Can Do For You

Within the next couple of weeks, recent graduates from Livingston High School will be gearing up for their first semester of college by going to orientation. Generally, two of the first tasks a college student must face are creating a university email address and having an ID card made.

While these email address and identification cards are primarily used for communication and security, they can also be used to obtain significant student discounts that are exclusive to college students.

Computer

A laptop computer is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury in the college world. Almost all college courses require assignments be printed off a computer or sent from one.

Nearly every computer manufacturer offers a student discount to individuals who can prove their currently enrolled in a school.

One of the most enticing offers to college students is the student discount offered by Apple. Throughout the summer (from May until September), Apple is offering substantial discounts to students who can produce either a valid school email address or a student identification card.

Students who purchase a MacBook receive a $50 discount, whereas students who purchase a MacBook Pro receive a $200 dollar discount. On top of the discount on the computer, which is available through September 7, students who purchase a MacBook computer will also receive a free eight gigabyte iPod Touch (mail-in-rebate).

That's a pretty sweet deal.  Also, with an iPod touch, you can avoid having to buy a planner and a recording device since the iPod has both a digital calendar and a microphone (built-in) which you can use for recording lectures.

Dell, another popular computer maker, also offers student's hefty discounts on their line of laptops. Their program, Dell University, works a bit differently from Apple's. Dell works with colleges from all over the country to determine which line of computers are most appropriate for each individual school. They then offer a dozen different computers that they feel best suit your school's needs.

Unlike Apple, Dell does not require you to use a student ID or email address to receive a discount. Instead, they claim to randomly verify that those who make scholastic purchases are indeed students and will charge those who try to beat the system full price.

Software

Another critical tool for college students is computer software. Unfortunately, many colleges require high-end programs which can add hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to college expenses. For instance, the Rutgers University Business program requires that all students purchase the Professional version of Microsoft Office. This version sells for a whopping $499.99 at most retailers, including local electronics retailer Best Buy. Does this sound too pricey to you?

Luckily, there is help out there to lower the cost of the computer software that is commonly used in the classroom. Campus Tech is an online retailer that has partnerships with various software makers, including Microsoft, Adobe and Sony, to provide students with high-end computer software at a fraction of the cost.

With the use of your student ID, you can purchase the same version of Microsoft Office Professional from Campus Tech for only $99.99. That amounts to a savings of $400.

Another popular piece of software for school is Adobe Photoshop, which has an MSRP of $999.99.  Students have the opportunity to purchase the software for $199.99.

You may ask yourself why companies like Microsoft or Adobe would willing lose so much by selling students their software at such a hefty discount. The answer is simple: they want to build a good working relationship with younger consumers, with the hopes that they remain loyal customers long after their college years. Regardless, you might as well take advantage of the discounts while you are offered them.

Free Shipping, Fast

College students are often required to buy pricey text books that are unavailable in most retail stores. You can expect to spend somewhere between $200 and $400 depending on whether or not you intend to buy your books in new or used condition.

Popular online retailer Amazon.com, which offers even the rarest of textbooks, is now offering all college students who can provide a college email address (example@college.edu) a free one year complimentary subscription to Amazon Prime, which normally costs $80 annually.

Amazon Prime is a club that allows subscribers to enjoy the convenience of having their purchased items shipped via two-day expedited shipping for free. Additionally, subscribers can have items shipped via overnight service at a discounted rate of $3.99 per item. This comes in handy for when, for example, you realize that you really do need that chemistry textbook to study for the exam.

In the end, college is still going to be a pricey investment.  But every penny counts, so take advantage of these exclusive deals.  Like college, they only last for a short time.