College is expensive. Between the price of textbooks that you’ll probably only open twice and the absolute robbery that is on-campus dining, finding a way to save five bucks a month feels like a genuine victory. That’s where the Apple Music college student discount comes in. It’s not just a couple of dollars off; it’s basically a half-priced ticket to over 100 million songs, plus a few perks that Apple doesn't always scream about from the rooftops.
Honestly, if you're paying the full $10.99 a month while carrying a course load, you're just leaving money on the table.
Apple recently bumped the price of the student plan to $5.99 a month in several regions, including the US, Canada, and the UK. While price hikes always sting, it’s still significantly cheaper than the standard individual plan. But the catch—and there is always a catch—is that you have to prove you’re actually a student. You can’t just use an old .edu email address from a school you dropped out of three years ago and hope for the best. Apple uses a verification service called UNiDAYS to make sure you’re sitting in a lecture hall (or at least enrolled in one).
The UNiDAYS Hurdle and How to Clear It
To snag the Apple Music college student discount, your first stop isn't actually the Music app. It’s UNiDAYS. This is a third-party verification platform that Apple, along with brands like Nike and Dell, uses to gatekeep their student deals.
The process is usually painless. You sign in, search for your university, and then log into your school’s portal. If your school doesn't show up, you’re basically out of luck unless you want to spend an afternoon arguing with support tickets. Most accredited degree-granting universities and colleges are on there, though. This includes community colleges and technical schools, provided they grant actual degrees. If you’re taking a one-off pottery class at the local community center, that’s not going to cut it.
One thing people often forget is that this discount has a shelf life. You get it for a maximum of 48 months. That’s four years—the standard time for an undergraduate degree. These 48 months don’t have to be continuous. If you take a gap year to "find yourself" in Europe or just need a break from organic chemistry, you can stop your subscription and pick it back up later. The clock only ticks when you’re actively paying the student rate.
Once those 48 months are up, or once you graduate and UNiDAYS realizes you’re no longer enrolled, your account magically transforms into a standard individual subscription. And yes, the price jumps immediately.
Apple TV+ is the Secret Sauce
Here is the part that most people miss: the Apple Music college student discount currently includes free access to Apple TV+.
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Think about that for a second. You’re paying $5.99. You get the music. You get the music videos. And you get Ted Lasso, Severance, and Killers of the Flower Moon without paying an extra dime. Apple doesn't guarantee this perk will last forever—they call it a "limited time" offer—but it has been running for years. It’s arguably the best value in the entire streaming world right now.
However, there's a limitation you should know about. This "free" Apple TV+ access is strictly for you. Unlike a standard Apple TV+ subscription that you buy for $9.99 a month, you cannot share this student version with your Family Sharing group. If your roommates want to watch The Morning Show, they’re going to have to log in as you or get their own accounts. It’s a solo deal.
What Happens if Verification Fails?
Sometimes UNiDAYS just... fails. Maybe your school changed its portal, or maybe your name is spelled differently in the school registry than it is on your Apple ID. If the automated system can't find you, you'll usually be asked to upload a photo of your student ID or a recent tuition statement.
Make sure the photo is clear. If they can’t read the expiration date or your name, they’ll reject it faster than a bad Tinder match.
It’s also worth noting that if you are currently on a Family Plan, you have to leave that plan to sign up for the student discount. You can’t double-dip. If your parents are paying for a family bucket of Apple services, you might actually be better off staying there for $0 than moving to your own account for $6, even with the "discount."
The Re-Verification Cycle
Every year, usually around the anniversary of when you signed up, Apple will ping you. They’ll ask you to re-verify your status through UNiDAYS. Do not ignore this email. If you let the window pass, Apple will assume you’ve graduated and moved on to a high-paying corporate job, and they will start charging you the full $10.99.
If you’re a grad student, you’re still eligible. Masters students, PhD candidates, and even those in medical school can keep the discount rolling as long as they haven't hit that 48-month lifetime cap.
Comparing the Landscape: Apple vs. Spotify vs. Amazon
You have options. Spotify’s student deal is almost identical in price ($5.99) and it comes with Hulu (with ads). If you’re a big fan of The Bear or Abbott Elementary, Spotify might actually be the better move for you.
Amazon Music Unlimited also has a student tier, often bundled with a discounted Prime Student membership. Prime Student is great because you get the fast shipping and Prime Video, which has a massive library.
So why choose Apple? High-fidelity audio.
Apple Music includes Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio (Dolby Atmos) at no extra cost. Spotify has been promising "HiFi" for years and still hasn't delivered it. If you have a decent pair of headphones—or even just AirPods Pro—the sound quality on Apple Music is noticeably better. Plus, if you’re already deep in the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone, Mac, and iPad, the integration is just smoother. Siri actually understands what you're asking for most of the time.
International Price Variations
It’s important to remember that $5.99 is the US price. If you’re studying abroad or living in another country, the price fluctuates based on local currency and taxes. In India, for example, the student rate is significantly lower in USD terms, while in some European countries, it might be slightly higher. Always check the local Apple landing page to see exactly what’s coming out of your bank account.
Moving Your Playlists
One of the biggest headaches of switching to the Apple Music college student discount is the thought of losing your music library if you’re coming from Spotify or Tidal. Nobody wants to manually rebuild a 500-song "Late Night Study" playlist.
Use a tool like SongShift or FreeYourMusic. These apps scan your Spotify library and match the tracks to Apple’s catalog. It isn't 100% perfect—sometimes a weird indie remix won't carry over—but it beats doing it by hand.
Technical Troubleshooting
If you go to your settings and don't see the option for the student plan, it’s usually because of one of three things:
- You have an active trial for a different plan.
- You’re part of a Family Sharing group.
- Your Apple ID region doesn't match your school's location.
You have to cancel your current subscription and let it expire before you can usually toggle the student option. It’s annoying, but the system is rigid.
Final Steps to Secure Your Savings
If you are ready to stop overpaying, the path is straightforward but requires a bit of attention to detail. Don't wait until the middle of the semester when you're too busy with finals to notice an extra $60 a year disappearing from your account.
- Check your eligibility: Ensure you are enrolled in a degree-granting program.
- Sign up for UNiDAYS: Do this first to make the transition in the Music app seamless.
- Cancel existing subs: If you're on a standard plan, set it to cancel so you can switch at the end of the billing cycle.
- Download Apple TV+: Once the music side is active, download the TV app and sign in with the same Apple ID to claim your free streaming.
- Mark your calendar: Set a reminder for 11 months from today to look out for that re-verification email.
Getting the Apple Music college student discount is a quick win for your budget. It takes ten minutes and pays for itself within the first two months compared to a standard subscription. Just keep an eye on that 48-month limit so the price jump doesn't catch you off guard once you've got that diploma in hand.