Netflix does not offer a student discount, but several streaming services do
Netflix stopped offering student pricing in 2022 and has not brought it back. If you are a student looking for a lower monthly cost, you will need to look at other services or find a different way to watch. Some streaming platforms — including Hulu, Disney+, and Apple TV+ — do offer student rates through partnerships with student verification services.
The student discount landscape changes often. Services add discounts, remove them, or change the price without warning. What matters is checking directly with each service you want to use, rather than assuming a discount exists based on what you heard last year.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix has no student discount of any kind, even if you have a valid .edu email address.
- Hulu, Disney+, and Apple TV+ offer student rates through Spotify's Student plan or directly through the service, typically saving $5 to $8 per month.
- Student discounts usually require verification through SheerID or Unidays, which check your school enrollment status.
- Sharing a family plan with others can lower your per-person cost more than waiting for a discount that may not exist.
Which streaming services actually have student pricing
Hulu offers a student plan for $7.99 per month (as of 2024) through the Spotify Student bundle. You get Hulu, Spotify, and Disney+ together. You must verify your student status through SheerID, which checks your enrollment at an accredited school.
Apple TV+ offers three months free to students who have a valid .edu email address or student ID. After the free period ends, you pay the regular monthly rate unless you are part of an Apple One bundle through a school partnership. Some universities negotiate discounts for their students, so check your school's IT or student services page.
Disney+ is included in the Spotify Student bundle mentioned above. If you buy it separately, there is no student discount, but the bundle price is lower than buying services individually.
Amazon Prime Video does not have a student discount, but Amazon Prime Student (the broader membership) costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year — less than half the regular Prime price. This includes video, shipping, and other Prime benefits.
How to verify you are a student and claim a discount
Most student discounts use SheerID or Unidays to confirm your enrollment. Both services connect to your school's records or accept documents like a current student ID or class schedule. The process takes a few minutes and happens online.
When you sign up for a student plan, the service will ask you to verify through one of these platforms. You will create an account, select your school, and either log in with your school credentials or upload a photo of your student ID. Once verified, you get access to the discount when ready.
Verification usually lasts for one year. After that, you may need to verify again to keep the discount. Services send reminders, but it is your responsibility to renew before your discount expires.
Why Netflix removed its student discount
Netflix ended its student plan in 2022 as part of a broader shift toward cracking down on password sharing and pushing more people toward paid accounts. The company decided that the revenue from a discounted student tier was not worth the complexity of managing it.
Netflix has not announced any plans to bring student pricing back. The company has instead focused on its standard plan ($6.99 with ads, $15.49 without) and family plans that let multiple people watch on different screens for one monthly fee.
Cheaper ways to watch Netflix if you are a student
If you want Netflix specifically and do not may have access to for another service's student discount, a family plan is often the best option. Netflix's Standard plan costs $15.49 per month and allows two people to watch at the same time. If you split this with one other person, you each pay $7.75 — less than many student discounts on other services.
The ad-supported plan costs $6.99 per month and works on one screen at a time. If you do not mind ads and do not need to watch on multiple devices simultaneously, this is Netflix's cheapest option for anyone, student or not.
Some schools negotiate deals with streaming services or bundle them into student technology packages. Check your school's IT department, student services office, or the student email you received when you enrolled. A few universities include free or discounted access to streaming services as part of their technology benefits.
Comparing student pricing across major services
| Service | Student Price | What's Included | Verification Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify Student | $7.99/month | Spotify, Hulu, Disney+ | SheerID |
| Apple TV+ | 3 months free, then regular price | Apple TV+ only (unless bundled through school) | .edu email or student ID |
| Amazon Prime Student | $7.49/month or $69/year | Prime Video, shipping, music, storage | SheerID or .edu email |
| Netflix | None | N/A | N/A |
What to check before assuming a discount exists
Student pricing changes frequently, and what was available last year may not be available now. Before you spend time verifying your student status, go directly to the service's website and search for "student discount" or "student plan." Most services list their current student offers on a dedicated page.
If you cannot find a student discount listed, it does not exist for that service right now. Do not call customer service hoping they will offer you one — they cannot create discounts that are not part of the company's official program.
Check your school's website too. Some universities have negotiated exclusive deals that are not advertised on the streaming service's main site. Your student email account or the IT help desk can tell you what is available through your school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a .edu email address to get a Netflix student discount?
No. Netflix does not offer any student discount, even with a .edu email. A .edu address may work for other services like Apple TV+, but Netflix has no student pricing of any kind.
Do I lose my student discount when I graduate?
Yes. Most student discounts expire when your verification lapses, which usually happens one year after you verify your enrollment. Once you graduate or are no longer enrolled, you will no longer be able to verify as a student, and the discount will end.
Is the Spotify Student bundle actually cheaper than buying services separately?
Yes. Spotify Student costs $7.99 per month for Spotify, Hulu, and Disney+. Buying those three separately would cost around $20 to $25 per month, so the bundle saves roughly $12 to $17 monthly.
What happens if I cannot verify my student status?
If SheerID or Unidays cannot find your school records, you can upload a photo of your student ID or class schedule instead. If you have neither, contact your school's registrar to request a verification letter. Some services accept that as proof of enrollment.
Can my parents claim a student discount on my behalf?
No. Student discounts require verification that you are currently enrolled. Your parents cannot verify as you, and using someone else's student ID or email to claim a discount violates the service's terms of service.