POCKET PINCHER: THE ULTIMATE STUDENT DISCOUNT LIST

Your student ID isn’t just a plastic card that opens doors or hides in your wallet, it’s a discount card in disguise.

You’re literally walking around with cash you’re not using. From educational platforms to shopping sites and streaming services, plenty of companies are ready to hand you perks just for being a student here at Mount Hood Community College.

Save this, you’re going to need it soon! I’ll start with the ones I love and use myself:

Study & Learning Discounts

• Quizlet Plus Student Plan offers lower rates for flashcards and study sets with no ads. Especially helpful for STEM majors.

• Coursera and edX Student Scholarships are free college-level courses from Yale, Google, and Oregon State.

• Skillshare Student Trial is one month free for creative and career skills.

Bonus tip: Always sign up with your .edu email. That’s your golden ticket to discounted or free learning tools.

Fashion & Lifestyle Deals

For all my fashion girlies, thrift shops are your best friend for quality plus value, but particularly for those extra-special events, especially with the holidays coming up. You can thank me later..

Fashion & Lifestyle Deals

For all my fashion girlies, thrift shops are your best friend for quality plus value, but particularly for those extra-special events, especially with the holidays coming up. You can thank me later.

• Amazon Prime Student offers six-month free trial and 50% off afterwards.

• ASOS / UNiDAYS is 15–25 % off.

• H&M Student Beans offers 15% off online purchases.

• Shein / PrettyLittleThing is rotating 20% student codes.

• Levi’s Student Program is 15% off jeans that last, but check the nearest Goodwill store first.

Food & Coffee Fix

I always recommend homemade meals, but whether you’re celebrating, treating yourself, or socializing on a budget, try these:

• Chipotle is 10% off with student ID.

• Subway / Dairy Queen / Burger King is almost always offering the same 10%, if you ask.

• Domino’s campus promo codes = pizza math that works.

• Starbucks Rewards free birthday drink, plus bonus star events.

Streaming & Entertainment

If you’re into streaming, this list will keep you entertained for less. Don’t forget that some phone companies throw in free streaming with certain plans, and occasionally Uber Eats or Uber Rides offer a free month of Netflix or Spotify.

• Hulu + Spotify Premium Student is $5.99 for the bundle.

• Paramount+ and Apple Music Student Plans is half price.

• YouTube Premium Student offers ad-free study sessions for less than a cup of coffee.

Health & Wellness Perks

• Walgreens / CVS Extra Care Student Perks offers bonus coupons and cash rewards. I got extra value here with my student MHCC card when I went in for my vaccinations and immunization.

• Planet Fitness offers free summer access for students.

• America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses offers two pairs of glasses plus an eye exam for $79.

• Dental Hygiene Schools (including MHCC’s own Dental Clinic) offer low-cost cleaning, exams, and x-rays, performed by students under supervision.

Oregon & Local Gems

In the coming week, I will comply a list of fun things to do in Oregon for cheap, and even cheaper, with your student identification, so watch out for that list. Meantime:

• Portland Art Museum has $5 admission with student ID (regularly $25).

• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) offers a 20% student discount on entry and planetarium tickets.

• Pittock Mansion is $10 admission with student ID (or free, on Portland Parks Free Days).

• Portland Japanese Garden is $5 off general admission for students.

• Oregon Zoo has $3-off tickets for students with valid ID.

  
  

Therapy & Mental Health Services

Because sometimes life throws lemons, therapy shouldn’t cost you your rent money. Here are my top five ways to take care of your mental health for free or cheap:

• The MHCC Counseling Center offers free, confidential sessions covered by tuition.

• Lines for Life (Oregon) 1-800-923-HELP – offers a free, 24/7 emotional-support line.

• BetterMynd / TimelyCare / UWill offers low-cost online therapy for college students.

• TherapyDen – to find Oregon therapists with sliding-scale pricing.

• Headspace & Calm Apps offers 50-70% student discounts.

In sum: Next time you look at your MHCC ID, don’t see just a card. See a key that unlocks classrooms and your educational journey, sure, but it also opens the door to dozens of discounts waiting for you to claim them.