Ways to save with student discounts

With the start of school just around the corner, you may be fretting about how much you'll have to spend on clothing, electronics, and other back-to-school must-haves.

Luckily, if you or your child is a college student, many stores and services offer discounts that make purchases more affordable. Some even extend the invitation to high school or even kindergarten through 12th grade students. Only one thing is required for most stores: evidence of enrollment. For online purchases, this can be as easy as filling out the site's student-discount registration form and stating the school you attend. For in-store purchases, simply flash a student ID at the register. It's that easy. So lower your anxiety with these great offers.

Ann Taylor and Banana Republic: Both companies offer a 15 percent discount for full-priced purchases in store when shown a college student ID. Ann Taylor extends this offer for online purchases too. In order to receive the discount online, registration with UNiDAYS—a student discount service—is required.

J.Crew and Madewell: Both companies offer a 15 percent discount for in-store purchases when shown a college student ID. Teachers are also eligible to receive the discount.

Eastern Mountain Sports: Offers a 20 percent discount to college students for full-priced East Mountain Sports brand items and a 15 percent discount off all other full-priced national brand items.

Footlocker and Lady Footlocker: Offers $10 off a purchase of $50 or more with a Student Advantage Discount Card, a program that offers reduced prices at various retailers and service providers. These discount cards are available for purchase online for $22.50 for one year (add $10 for each additional year). To be eligible for this card, students have to be 16 or older.

Dairy Queen: High school and college students are eligible to receive a discount card or a “Student Meal Deal” at participating locations. The amount of the discount depends on location.

Regal: Offers student discounts on select shows, times/dates, and locations. For eligibility requirements and availability, contact your local Regal theater.

AMC: Select AMC theaters have “Student Day” every Thursday. You, or your child, can get a reduced-price ticket price when you show a college or high school ID. Those who have the above-mentioned Student Advantage Discount Card are eligible to receive up to 40 percent off prepaid tickets.

Want to know more ways to save through student discounts? Consumer Reports has the answer.

Apple: Offers education pricing online for college students or high school graduates anticipating the start of college. Parents buying for college students are also welcomed to use the discount. You can save up to $200 on a new Mac and up to $30 on a new iPad.

If a qualifying Mac purchase is made before Sept. 9, 2014, students are eligible to receive a $100 Apple Store Gift Card. When purchasing a qualifying iPad or iPhone, students are eligible to receive a $50 Apple Store Gift Card.

Sony: The Sony Education Store offers online discounts of up to 10 percent for college students. In order to receive the special pricing, students must first register with Sony.

Lenovo: The online Academic Purchase Program offers college students and those K through 12 discounts on laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. All you need to do is indicate which college you or your child attend. For younger students, simply indicate that you cannot find your child's school on the list and you will be directed to student deals. Student Advantage Discount holders can save up to 25 percent on purchases.

HP: With HP Academy, college students and those K through 12 can save up to 20 percent off HP products online. Other benefits include free shipping on all orders. Registration is required.

JourneyEd: College students receive a discounted price on software and other merchandise online. JourneyEd offers discounted products for K through 12 students too. Student Advantage Discount holders can receive $10 off purchases over $99.

Chevrolet: Through the College Student Discount Program, college and graduate students are eligible for a discount on any qualifying new Chevrolet vehicle. Size of the discount depends on the vehicle.

Greyhound: Student Advantage Discount cardholders are eligible to save 20 percent on Greyhound fares purchased online or in person.

Amtrak: Student Advantage Discount cardholders are eligible to save 10 percent on Amtrak tickets purchased three days in advance online.

—Marcy Robles