Verizon offers a student discount, but only if you verify your student status through a third-party service

Verizon does offer a discount for students, typically 10 to 15 percent off monthly service charges. You cannot claim it by straightforward telling Verizon you are a student — you have to prove it through SheerID, a verification company that Verizon uses to confirm enrollment. The discount applies to your monthly bill, not to device purchases or one-time fees.

The discount is available to full-time and part-time students at accredited colleges, universities, and some trade schools in the United States. High school students are not included. Once you verify through SheerID, the discount typically starts on your next billing cycle.

Key Takeaways

  • Verizon student discounts range from 10 to 15 percent off your monthly bill and require verification through SheerID, not a direct process to Verizon.
  • You must be enrolled at an accredited college, university, or may be able to access trade school — high school students do not may have access to.
  • The discount applies to your service plan only, not to device payments, set up fees, or equipment charges.
  • Verification through SheerID takes a few minutes and uses your school email address or student ID number to confirm enrollment.

How to verify your student status with SheerID

Go to Verizon's student discount page and click the link to verify through SheerID. You will be asked to enter your name, date of birth, and school name. SheerID will then ask you to confirm your enrollment using one of three methods: your school email address, your student ID number, or a photo of your student ID card.

If you use your school email, SheerID sends a verification link to that address — you click it and the process is complete. If you use your student ID number, SheerID checks your school's enrollment database directly. If you upload a photo of your ID, SheerID reviews it manually, which takes longer but works if your school does not share enrollment data electronically.

The entire process usually takes five to ten minutes. Once SheerID confirms you are a student, you receive a confirmation code that you enter into your Verizon account or give to a Verizon representative in a store.

What the discount covers and what it does not

The discount reduces your monthly service charges — the cost of your talk, text, and data plan. It does not reduce device payments if you are financing a phone through Verizon, set up fees, administrative charges, or taxes. If you are on a family plan, only the lines you designate as student lines receive the discount.

The discount amount varies depending on your plan type. Verizon periodically changes the percentage, so the exact savings depend on when you verify and what plan you choose. You can see the current discount amount on Verizon's student discount page before you verify.

How long the discount lasts and what happens when you graduate

Once you verify as a student, the discount remains active as long as you stay enrolled. SheerID re-verifies your status periodically — usually once per year — to make sure you are still a student. If you graduate or leave school, you must tell Verizon to remove the discount, or it will continue until the next re-verification fails.

If you do not re-verify when SheerID asks, the discount stops automatically. You can re-verify at any time if you re-enroll in school.

Other Verizon discounts you might may have access to for instead

If you do not attend an accredited college or university, you may still may have access to for other Verizon discounts. Verizon offers discounts for military members and veterans, government employees, first responders, and employees of certain large companies. Some employers negotiate group discounts with Verizon — ask your HR department whether your workplace has one.

You can stack some discounts on top of each other. For example, if you are a student and your parent works for a company with a Verizon discount, you might be able to use both. Verizon's website shows which discounts can be combined.

Comparing Verizon student discounts to other carriers

AT&T and T-Mobile also offer student discounts, typically in the same 10 to 15 percent range. AT&T uses SheerID for verification, just like Verizon. T-Mobile's student discount is called T-Mobile Tuesdays and requires verification through Student Beans, a different verification service. The discount amounts and what they cover vary slightly between carriers, so if you are choosing a new carrier, compare the actual dollar savings on your expected plan.

Some carriers offer discounts on devices for students, while others offer only service discounts. Check each carrier's current student offer before you switch, because these promotions change throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Verizon account before I verify my student status?

No. You can verify through SheerID before you open an account. Once verified, you receive a code that you use when you sign up for service. If you already have a Verizon account, you can verify and add the discount to your existing line.

What if SheerID cannot verify my enrollment?

If your school does not share enrollment data with SheerID, you can upload a photo of your student ID instead. SheerID reviews it manually, which takes a few business days. If that fails, contact Verizon directly — some schools require manual verification by Verizon's team.

Can I use a student discount on a family plan?

Yes. You can add the discount to your line on a family plan. Other lines on the plan do not receive the discount unless they also verify as students. Each student line needs its own verification.

Does the student discount work on prepaid plans?

No. Verizon's student discount applies only to postpaid plans — the standard monthly billing plans. Prepaid plans do not may have access to for student discounts.

What happens if I drop out of school?

You should contact Verizon and ask them to remove the discount. If you do not, the discount will stop when SheerID re-verifies your enrollment and finds that you are no longer a student. Keeping a discount you no longer may have access to for could result in billing issues.