Unlocking Savings: A Comprehensive Guide to ASU Student Discounts

Arizona State University (ASU) provides its students with a wealth of opportunities beyond academics. A significant, yet often overlooked, aspect of the ASU experience is the wide array of discounts and perks available to students. From transportation and dining to entertainment and technology, being a Sun Devil comes with numerous ways to save money and enhance your college experience. This guide dives into the various discounts and resources available to ASU students, helping you make the most of your time and budget.

Transportation Discounts and Resources

Navigating a large university and its surrounding areas requires efficient and affordable transportation. ASU understands this need and offers a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets.

On-Campus Transportation

ASU provides free shuttle transportation between all four campuses, making it easy for students to attend classes, access resources, and participate in activities across the university system. In addition to intercampus shuttles, free ASU and neighborhood shuttles are available, offering convenient transportation within and around the campus vicinity.

Public Transportation

Students also have access to the Valley Metro bus routes and the METRO Light Rail. These public transportation options provide an affordable and sustainable way to explore the greater Phoenix area.

Biking

For those who prefer a more active mode of transportation, walking, biking, and skateboarding are popular choices. Inexpensive second-hand bicycles can be purchased near campus, and advertisements in the university newspaper or on campus bulletin boards often advertise bikes for sale. Discount stores may also offer inexpensive new bicycles. To ensure the safety of your bike, it is essential to get a strong and secure lock. ASU’s Bike Co-Op has a Community Bikes Program and provides reduced-cost tools, parts, and bike repair assistance. New or used bicycles can be purchased at shops located near ASU Tempe Campus.

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Important Reminders for Cyclists:

Do not ride your bike on the wrong side of the road (against traffic), even when riding on the sidewalk, unless a sign says otherwise. If caught, you could be fined $85.
If you are crossing at a corner or entering a roadway, yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.

Dining Discounts and Options

Food is an essential part of student life, and ASU offers a variety of dining options to cater to different tastes and budgets.

On-Campus Dining

ASU offers various dining options, including cafeterias, markets, and restaurants. ASU students can purchase meal plans or purchase food elsewhere.

Off-Campus Dining

Safeway is a large supermarket located on Rural and Broadway, a 10-minute walk from the campus. There are many low- and medium-priced restaurants in the campus area, mostly along University Drive and in nearby downtown Tempe on Mill Avenue. At the beginning of the semester, booklets of discount coupons are distributed at the entrances to the Memorial Union, at Residence Halls, and in some distribution boxes on campus. These coupons provide discounts when purchasing food and other services at selected stores in Tempe. Discount coupons are often found in the State Press, the campus newspaper.

Technology and Internet Access

In today's digital age, access to technology and the internet is crucial for academic success. ASU provides students with ample resources in this area.

Free Wireless Internet

All ASU facilities, including on-campus dormitories and all intercampus shuttles, provide free wireless internet.

Computing and Technology Centers

Various computing and technology centers are available throughout ASU. Many international exchange students bring their own laptop or purchase a laptop from ASU or a local technology store, while others use ASU’s computer facilities instead of using a laptop. ASU also provides free laptop technology solutions.

Software Access

If you need a software program for a class, you get free or discounted access to many different programs through ASU's My Apps portal, which you can access on My ASU. Get the Microsoft Office Suite and lots of different engineering and STEM software tools. As long as you're a student, you'll have access to these programs and be able to install them on your computer. And make sure you sign up for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal digital subscriptions available to all enrolled students. Check the links for instructions on how to access yours.

Entertainment and Recreation

College life isn't just about studying; it's also about having fun and exploring your interests. ASU and the surrounding area offer a plethora of entertainment and recreation opportunities.

On-Campus Activities

There are over 1,000 student organizations at ASU. With this many student groups, there is truly something for everyone. Student organizations are a great way to get involved at ASU and in the local community, develop new skills, hone skills learned in the classroom, meet friends, and have fun. Browse or search through ASU’s registered student groups and organizations.

Local Attractions and Events

Almost everything except deep-sea fishing is available in Arizona--and that is found close by in Mexico. Theater, dancing, swimming, ice skating, snow skiing, hiking, fishing, camping, shopping, tennis, golf, football games and sports--whatever you enjoy in your leisure time is available in or near the Phoenix area. Some noted local events are the "Tempe Arts Festival" that occurs each December and March, and the "Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Fair" in December. Anyone who wants to learn about that great American tradition, baseball, can purchase tickets to see the Valley’s professional baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, at Chase Field in downtown. Tickets cost between $5 and $50.

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ASU Athletic Events

As part of your tuition and fees, you get tickets to all ASU athletic events throughout the school year (hint: download them from the Sun Devil Gameday app). Get into the school spirit as often as you want with all the Sun Devil Athletics teams, from football to basketball, gymnastics and more.

Fitness and Recreation Centers

All Sun Devils have free access to the Sun Devil Fitness Complexes on all four campuses. That includes the Downtown Phoenix rooftop pool, and courts, fields and fully equipped indoor gyms on all campuses. Regardless of the campus of your major, you can use any of the facilities. Just bring your ASU ID card and swipe in anywhere! You also get free access to Group Wellness classes all semester long. The classes are as varied as painting, gardening, meditation, yoga, weightlifting and more. The fitness complexes also have a bike co-op that offers free tune-ups, instructions on at-home bike maintenance, and free weekly bike rentals on the Polytechnic campus.

Makerspace

ASU Library's Makerspace is a high-tech studio full of state-of-the-art equipment and plenty of workspace that all ASU students can use for free. We're talking equipment like 3D printers, a full video and audio studio for film and podcast production, a dedicated sewing room for creating textile designs or costumes, and a variety of programs hosted throughout the year. You can attend free workshops, make a reservation to use the equipment, or stop by with your Sun Card to borrow technology items through Tech Lending. Explore FAQs and connect with experts to help you figure out how anything and everything in the studio works. Start your next creative endeavor, either by yourself or with your friends. You might even meet someone in the studio to collaborate with. Who knows what you could create!

Support for International Students

ASU is a diverse and welcoming community, and it provides specific resources to support international students.

Global Guides

It’s not easy being a new student, especially when you’re coming from thousands of miles away and speak a different language. ASU Global Guides are current domestic and international student leaders who volunteer their time to help new undergraduate international students transition to life at ASU. Apply to be matched with a Global Guide who can help you transition to ASU by answering your questions, taking you to events, and helping you get involved in the Sun Devil community!

International Student Organizations

The International Student Engagement (ISE) unit at ASU provides an additional list of international student organizations that may be of interest to exchange students.

Employment Opportunities

For students looking to earn some extra money while studying, ASU offers on-campus employment opportunities.

On-Campus Employment

Students participating on the ASU exchange program are allowed to work on-campus within the dates of their program. Employment may total no more than 20 hours per week during the academic semesters and no more than 40 hours during official school breaks. All positions (including stipend-paid jobs) cannot average more than 25 hours/week for the year. Students are allowed to work on-campus in hourly jobs only.

Social Security Number

Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). The ISSC will provide instructions on how to obtain a SSN.

Tuition Discounts and Free Tuition Options

ASU offers various ways to reduce tuition costs, including potential pathways to 100% free tuition.

California Community College Discount

Qualifying California community college students and alumni can get a 22% discount on an online bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. That means a discount of $130 per credit hour, bringing the price down to $450 from $580. There are no income requirements or special applications to take part in the program. The program is open to those who’ve earned an associate degree or at least 30 credits from a California community college. Students also need to have graduated from or enrolled in an eligible community college after Jan. 1, 2023, and need to stay continuously enrolled in ASU by taking at least one course per semester. Students who’ve previously enrolled at ASU aren’t eligible. Currently living in California isn’t a requirement for the discount as long as students and alumni meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligible California Community Colleges include:

San Jacinto College - San Jacinto campus and Menifee campus
Orange Coast College
Saddleback College
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Miramar College
Victor Valley College

Free Tuition Options

There are at least 3 ways to get 100% free tuition. According to InsideHigherEd’s article featuring ASU’s new online, for-profit “learning services company” in 2019, of the 40,000 students enrolled in 2018 at ASUOnline, the 100% online arm of Arizona State University, approximately 30% (12,000) of the students were enrolled through the Starbucks initiative.

Universal Learner Program

ASU’s UL program is a unicorn in the college world, we know of no other program that includes all of the features this program provides. Students of any age in any part of the world can sign up for regionally accredited (the gold standard) college courses for $25, with no hassles, no need to send in your transcripts, no red tape, no placement tests, and no risk to a student’s GPA. If the student doesn’t get the grade they want, simply do not pay the $400 at the end of the course and there is no record of the course. Retake the courses as many times as is needed for just a minimal $25 sign-up fee. Students can sign up with a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, public school ID, or some have used homeschool ID’s.

HS4CC Universal Learner Portal

The HS4CC UL portal is a an educational partner portal that allows ASU to easily deliver special courses, pacing options, etc to our members. Students in the HS4CC UL Portal have access to ALL of the courses available in the main “public” Universal Learner Portal (ea.asu.edu). Additionally, we have access to a growing number of courses ONLY available for enrollment from our HS4CC portal. At the time of this post, we currently have two different Poetry in America courses that will run back to back Fall and Spring semesters, as well as ENG105 Advanced First-Year Composition, which combines ENG101 English Composition 1, and ENG102 English Composition 2 into a single self-paced course, with faculty feedback, designed to run with a normal school year (August - June). Students must be in the HS4CC portal to see these courses and enroll. We do not make money from ASU or the HS4CC portal; these are run as a service to the homeschool community. For more detailed information about how to sign up for to take courses in the Universal Learner program, formerly known as the Earned Admissions program, please visit our post “How to Sign up for ASU Earned Admissions Courses”. Again, please note that students in the HS4CC portal have access to ALL of the courses in the regular Universal Learner portal, but will occasionally have extra course offerings, such as Poetry in America, and ENG105 Advanced First-Year Composition. The list of courses on the sign-up page is just a sample of what’s available and is not the full list available to HS4CC students in their dashboard.

Other Discounts

Local Business Discounts

When you pay your tuition at ASU, you're not just paying for your classes - you're also paying for access to a whole lot of cool, student-exclusive features offered by the university. You might not know about some things you now have access to as a Sun Devil. Luckily, we've got you covered: here's an overview of some of the coolest perks included in your tuition.

Escapology: 20% Off for ASU Students. Need Valid College ID Present in Store. Can Be Purchased for Any Single Service. Never Expires. Have to Purchase in Center with Valid ASU ID.
Men’s Wearhouse: Coast, Pant, Shirt, Tie Packages from $279.99, $376.25, $338.75, and $458.75. Must Show Valid Student ID.

Restrictions may apply:

Not Valid with Any Other Offer.
Applicable to Regular Studio Fees Only.
Must Have ASU Student ID.
Not Valid on Wednesdays.
Minimum of 15 Guests.
Buffet Service Required.
Excludes Clearance Merchandise.
Does Not Apply to Already Discounted Ticket Prices.
Must be Actively Enrolled.
Discount Valid in Store.
Cannot Be Combined with Other Offers.
Not Valid During Happy Hour.
Cannot be Combined with Any Other Offers, Coupons or Advertised Specials.
Excludes Alcohol.
One Offer per Table, Per Check, Per Online Order.
No Purchase Needed.
Not Valid for 3rd Party Delivery, Online, To-Go Orders.
Excludes Catering, Alcohol, Gift Cards, Tax and Gratuity.
Please contact participating Suites Directly for a List of Select Services.
Not Valid with Any Other Offer or Discount.
One Service Per Customer.
Must show ASU ID.

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