You need a valid student ID and a supported email address to get the student plan

Apple Music's student plan costs less than the standard monthly subscription — the exact price varies by country, but in the US it is currently $5.99 per month instead of $10.99. To get it, you sign up through Apple Music's student pricing page, verify that you are a student using your school email address or by uploading proof of enrollment, and then pay the lower rate each month.

The verification happens once when you first sign up. Apple uses a service called SheerID to check your student status — you either confirm your school email address (if your school is in their system) or upload a document like a tuition bill, class schedule, or student ID card. Once verified, you stay on the student plan as long as you keep paying and remain enrolled. If you graduate or leave school, Apple will eventually ask you to verify again, and if you cannot, you will move to the regular price.

Key Takeaways

  • The student plan costs $5.99 per month in the US and includes the same music library and features as the standard plan.
  • You verify your student status once through SheerID using either your school email or an uploaded document like a tuition bill or class schedule.
  • Your school must be in Apple's system for email verification to work; if it is not, you can upload proof of enrollment instead.
  • The discount continues as long as you remain enrolled and keep your subscription active, but Apple will ask you to re-verify after you graduate.

What documents work for verification

If your school email address is recognized by SheerID, you straightforward enter it and Apple confirms your status when ready. Schools like large state universities and most private colleges are in the system, but smaller schools, community colleges, and international institutions sometimes are not.

If email verification does not work, you can upload one of these instead: a tuition bill or receipt with your name and the current term, a class schedule or course registration confirmation, a student ID card, or a letter from your school's registrar. The document needs to show your name, your school's name, and the current or upcoming term. A photo of your physical student ID card works, but a screenshot of your school's online portal usually does not — Apple needs something that clearly shows you are currently enrolled.

How to sign up on different devices

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Apple Music app, tap the Listen Now tab, scroll down, and look for the student offer. Tap it, then follow the prompts to verify your student status. You can also go to apple.com/music/student on any device and sign up there — this route often works faster if the app is being slow.

On Android, the process is similar: open Apple Music, find the student offer in the app, and tap to start verification. On a computer, visit apple.com/music/student, click "Get Student Plan," and sign in with your Apple ID. You will then go through the SheerID verification step before your subscription starts.

Whichever device you use, make sure you are signed in with the Apple ID you want to use for the subscription. If you use a different Apple ID later, you will need to verify your student status again.

What happens if verification fails

If SheerID cannot find your school email in their system, the upload option appears automatically. Take a clear photo or scan of your document, make sure all the text is readable, and upload it. SheerID usually reviews uploads within a few minutes, though sometimes it takes a few hours.

If your upload is rejected, the most common reason is that the document does not clearly show the current term or enrollment period. A tuition bill from last year or a student ID with no date will not work. If you get rejected, try uploading a different document — a class schedule with the current semester is usually the easiest to accept. You can upload as many times as you need.

When the student plan ends and what comes next

Apple does not set a hard end date for the student plan. Instead, you stay on it as long as you remain enrolled and keep paying. When you graduate or leave school, Apple will eventually ask you to re-verify your status — this usually happens within a few months of your enrollment ending, but the exact timing varies.

If you cannot re-verify, your subscription automatically moves to the regular price ($10.99 per month in the US) on your next billing date. You will get a notification before this happens, so you are not charged the higher rate without warning. If you want to cancel instead of paying the full price, you can do that anytime through your Apple ID settings.

Student plan features and what you actually get

The student plan includes everything the standard Apple Music plan has: access to over 100 million songs, offline listening, high-quality audio, and the ability to create and share playlists. You can use it on up to six devices at once, and you can read songs to listen without internet.

One difference: the student plan does not include Apple TV+, Apple News+, or Apple Arcade like the Apple One bundle does. If you want those services bundled together at a discount, you would need the Apple One Student plan instead, which costs more but includes all three. The student music plan is music only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a parent's or friend's school email to get the student discount?

No. SheerID verifies that the email address belongs to someone currently enrolled at that school. If you use someone else's email, the verification will fail when SheerID checks the school's records. You need to use your own school email or upload a document with your own name on it.

What if I am taking a semester off or on a leave of absence?

If your school considers you officially enrolled (even if you are not taking classes that semester), your student status should still verify. If you are on an official leave of absence, check your school's documentation — some schools issue letters confirming you remain enrolled. If you are not officially enrolled, you will not be able to verify and will need to switch to the regular plan.

Do I lose my playlists and saved music if I switch from student to regular pricing?

No. Your library, playlists, and all your saved songs stay with your Apple ID. When your plan switches to regular pricing, everything remains exactly as it was — you just pay more per month.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling when I graduate?

Apple Music does not have a pause feature. You can cancel anytime and rejoin later without losing your library, but you cannot freeze a subscription. If you want to stop paying temporarily, canceling and resubscribing later is your only option.

How long does verification usually take?

Email verification is when ready if your school is in SheerID's system. Document uploads usually process within a few minutes to a few hours. In rare cases, a review might take up to 24 hours. You will get an email when verification is complete.