UC student discounts: Your complete guide to student perks and savings

Flash your Bearcat Card or use your student email to save on everything from food and tech to transit, entertainment and more — both on campus and around Cincinnati.

Whether you’re new to UC or a returning student looking to cut costs, this guide will help you take full advantage of the savings available to you.

Pro tip: Bookmark this list and check back often — we’ll keep updating it with the latest deals just for Bearcats.

It’s no secret that college expenses can add up quickly, so it’s important to take advantage of any kind of savings available to you as a student.

At UC, there are plenty of student-specific perks designed to help lower your out-of-pocket costs — from discounted software and recreation center memberships to savings on meals, transportation and entertainment. 

Whether you're shopping on campus or exploring local spots around Cincinnati, your Bearcat status can unlock deals that make a real difference.

• UC Bookstores: Savings on supplies, UC gear or occasional promotions
  

• Dining services: Meal plan benefits or student-only pricing
  

• Campus Rec Center: Fitness classes, intramural leagues and equipment rental
  

• Libraries & Printing: Access to free software, printing credits or rentals

As a UC student, your Bearcat Card doesn’t just open doors on campus — it can also unlock great deals throughout Cincinnati. From quick bites at popular food chains to discounted movie tickets, museum passes, and local services, there are plenty of ways to save while exploring the city.

While many of the restaurants near Clifton are known for their affordability, it's always a good idea to inquire directly about any available student discounts, as promotions can change and may not be widely advertised. 

Additionally, many chain restaurants in the area, such as Subway, Chipotle and Domino's, occasionally offer student deals or accept student IDs for discounts. Checking their official websites or inquiring in-store can provide the most up-to-date information on any available offers.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to ask local restaurants if they offer any discounts for students.

Balancing classes, work, and life can make meal prep challenging. Luckily, your UC student status unlocks great savings on popular food delivery and meal kit services to help you eat well without breaking the bank:

• Blue Apron: Save $150 on your first five weeks of meal kit delivery — perfect for easy, fresh dinners.
  

• DoorDash: Get the Student DashPass for just $4.99/month and save $5 every month on delivery fees.
  

• EveryPlate: Enjoy 75% off your first student meal kit box plus free shipping, with an ongoing 15% discount available for one year.
  

• HelloFresh: Receive 55% off your first food subscription box, free shipping, and a 15% discount for an entire year.

• Home Chef: Take 50% off your first four boxes, which adds up to 20 free meals.

Be sure to verify your student status with your UC email to access these deals!

• University of Cincinnati Athletics: UC offers special pricing just for students. When you come to games, be sure to bring your Bearcat Card and ticket with you to the game as these two items are required for admission for student tickets.  

• Cincinnati Reds: Check out the schedule and keep an eye on the ticket discounts available

• FC Cincinnati: Each student can purchase up to two Student Pass tickets per game by using their student email (.edu) at checkout.

• Esquire Theatre: Student discount tickets with valid ID

• Mariemont Theatre: Offers discounted admission for students

• Cincinnati Art Museum: Free admission; some special exhibits discounted

• Contemporary Arts Center: Always free for students

• Cincinnati Museum Center: Offers student pricing on combo tickets

• Music Hall / Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Student rush tickets often available

• Cincinnati Public Library: The Discovery Pass provides Library cardholders with free passes to arts, cultural, and recreational attractions throughout Hamilton County. Library cardholders may check out passes to: 

  • American Sign Museum

  • Cincinnati Art Museum Special Exhibitions 

  • Cincinnati Museum Center

  • Great Parks of Hamilton County 

  • The Harriet Beecher Stowe House

  • Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum 

  • Taft Museum of Art

• College-Conservatory of Music (CCM OnStage): See UC’s rising stars in concerts, theatre, multimedia shows, and master classes

• Cincinnati Opera: Full-time students: $16 tickets (week-of-performance only, based on availability)

• Broadway in Cincinnati (Aronoff Center): Students, educators, and staff get early access and possible discounts

• Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra & Pops: Free Student Access membership for full-time students

• UC*Metro Program: Unlimited rides on Metro and Metro*Plus with your Bearcat ID. 
  • UC students can ride Metro regional buses and Access mini buses for free during the summer semester by registering through the Transit app using their UC email address.

UC students have access to a variety of discounts on clothing, technology and everyday essentials through campus resources and popular student discount platforms:

• UC Bookstores: Shop online or in-person for discounted hardware like laptops, tablets, and other essentials.
  

• Software & Technology Tools at UC: Access a wide range of software and tech tools anytime, anywhere, on any device using your UC email.
  

• Target Circle Student Discount: Upload a photo of your student ID, class schedule, or tuition receipt to receive a discounted Target Circle 360 membership.

• UNiDAYS: A free platform where verified students can access exclusive discounts from brands such as Apple, Nike, Samsung, and more. Sign up with your UC email to verify your student status.

• Student Beans: Another free platform that provides verified college students with access to exclusive deals from popular brands. After signing up and verifying your status, you can redeem discounts through the Student Beans app or website, both online and in-store.

• Apple Education Pricing: Special pricing on MacBooks, iPads, and accessories for college students.
  

• Microsoft Education: Access Microsoft 365 for free and receive discounts on other Microsoft software using your school-affiliated email.
  

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Save up to 60% on the full Creative Cloud suite designed for students.

• Spotify Premium Student: Pay $5.99/month and gain access to Hulu and Showtime as part of the student plan.
  

• Hulu + Disney+ Student Bundle: Available through Spotify Premium Student or with verified student status.
  

• Amazon Prime Student: Enjoy a 6-month free trial followed by a 50% discount on Prime membership.

• Notion Student Plan: Free access to the Notion Plus plan when signing up with your .edu email.
  

• Calm App: UC students can access a free one-year Calm subscription using their UC email address.

1. Always keep your Bearcat Card handy because you never know when it might score you a discount. For online deals, be sure to check if a “.edu” email is required to verify your student status. 
2. Platforms like UNiDAYS, Student Beans, and ID.me make it easy to access exclusive student pricing across major brands.
3. Ask local businesses directly if they offer student discounts. Some perks aren’t always advertised but are available if you ask!

• Sign up for mailing lists: Many brands and businesses send exclusive student offers through email, especially if you’ve verified your student status.
  

• Plan outings around student discount days: Some places, like movie theaters or museums, offer special pricing on certain days (e.g., “Student Tuesdays”).
  

• Compare UC vs. general student pricing: Some tech and software brands offer even better deals through UC partnerships, so double-check before buying big-ticket items.

College is the perfect time to take advantage of all the discounts available to you so use them while you can!

These perks can make a real difference when it comes to managing your budget. Whether you're grabbing lunch, hitting the gym or commuting to class, a little savings goes a long way.

For more student deals and ways to save check back to this article often and use apps like Student Beans and UNiDAYS to find more student discounts. Happy saving!