Leveraging Student Discounts in Canada: Maximize Your Budget
Studying in Canada can be expensive, especially if you’re coming from abroad. The good news is Canada student discounts can help you save money in Canada on everything from bus passes to laptops. This friendly guide will show international students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and other African markets how to stretch their budgets.
We’ll cover discount programs, city-specific deals in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, smart student budget tips!
Where Can You Save? Common Student Discounts in Canada
Students can find discounts in almost every area of daily life. Here are the top categories to look for savings:
Transportation Discounts
Most major cities offer student transit passes or reduced fares. For example, Montreal’s STM offers a student OPUS card that saves ~40% on monthly transit fares. Toronto’s TTC provides a post-secondary student monthly pass (just remember to get a student ID card), and in Vancouver, universities include a U-Pass for unlimited transit at a low student rate. Even regional travel can be cheaper – GO Transit in Ontario gives about 40% off fares with a student Presto card.
Food & Grocery Savings
Luckily, some grocery stores offer student deals. In Ontario, chains like Food Basics give 10% off on Tuesdays, while Metro and Sobeys have student discount days during the week. Many campus cafeterias also have meal plans that can be cost-effective. For dining out, ask if a restaurant offers a student discount – you might get a free drink or a percent off your meal.
Tech & Electronics Deals
Need a laptop or software for school? Tech companies have your back. Apple offers education pricing on MacBooks and iPads for students, which can save you a nice chunk on a new device. Microsoft often provides free or discounted software – many schools give Office 365 for free, or you can get it at 50% off as a student. Other brands like Dell and Lenovo also have student programs (e.g. Dell sends discount coupons if you verify a student email, and Lenovo gives ~5% off with a student ID. Before buying any gadget or software, always check for a student option or academic pricing.
Entertainment on a Budget
Many entertainment services have special student plans. For music and video, Spotify Premium is only around $5.99 CAD/month for students, and Amazon Prime Student is about $4.99/month (after an awesome 6-month free trial). Also, keep an eye on streaming services like Apple Music or YouTube Premium which have student rates. For outings, movie theaters often have student pricing or cheap nights (e.g. Cineplex cinemas give discounts with student ID, and many have half-price tickets on Tuesdays).
Clothing & Retail Discounts
In Canada, many stores offer 10-20% off for students at the checkout. The Student Price Card (SPC) program, for instance, partners with hundreds of stores to give exclusive discounts on clothing, shoes, and more. With SPC, big brands and shops offer up to 25% off to members. Similarly, free platforms like Student Beans and UNiDAYS let you verify your student status and get discount codes for popular stores (from fashion like H&M to tech and travel deals). Whether you’re shopping at the mall in Toronto’s Eaton Centre or on Vancouver’s Robson Street, flash your student ID or use a promo code at online checkout. Those small savings add up and let you buy what you need for less.
Tackle Rent and Tuition Smartly
When making tuition or accommodation payments from home, avoid high bank charges by using cost-effective services. For example, Vavita lets you pay tuition in your home currency and sends it directly to your Canadian university, so you don’t lose money on bad exchange rates or hidden fees.
Similarly, Vavita can also help you pay accommodation and living expenses. With competitive exchange rates, fully-digital platform and prompt payments, Vavita ensures you have more money in your pocket to spend on enjoying your student experience.
Watch out for scholarships and bursaries too – but these often require you to apply early!
Must-Have Student Discount Cards: SPC and ISIC
Two nationwide student discount programs in Canada can unlock a world of deals for you:
Student Price Card (SPC)
SPC is Canada’s most popular student discount membership. For about $11.99 CAD per year, you get access to over 450 deals and up to 25% off at a wide variety of brands. Signing up is simple – you can register online (you’ll need proof that you’re a student, like your school ID) and you’ll get a digital card to show at stores.
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
The ISIC is the only internationally recognized student ID card, available to any full-time student and gives you access to thousands of discounts worldwide. With ISIC, you can save on travel (flights, hotels, museums, tourist attractions) as well as local shopping and services in Canada and abroad. You can apply for an ISIC online by uploading proof of full-time student status (like a school ID or enrollment letter). The card is typically valid for 1 year (often 12-16 months) and costs around $20 (some student unions provide it for free).