How to Apply a Student Discount on Target

Target offers a student discount program to support students by helping them save on a wide array of products. This program recognizes the financial considerations students often navigate, making essential purchases more accessible, from school supplies to everyday necessities.

Eligibility and Verification

To participate in Target’s student discount program, individuals must be currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or vocational school. Some offers may also extend to high school students, typically requiring them to be at least 16 years old to qualify. The primary step involves verifying student status through Target’s digital platforms.

This verification process often leverages third-party services like SheerID or UNiDAYS, integrated directly within the Target website or app. To begin, students need to create or log into their existing Target account. From there, they navigate to the “Student Discount” or “Student Verification” section within their account settings.

The system will prompt users to provide personal details, including their full name, date of birth, school name, and sometimes their school year or housing status. To confirm enrollment, additional documentation may be requested, such as a valid student ID card with an expiration date, a current class schedule, a tuition receipt, or a bursar statement.

Once the required information is submitted, verification typically completes within a few minutes to 24 hours. Upon successful verification, a confirmation is usually sent via email, indicating that the student discount offer is available. This verified student status is then linked to the user’s Target Circle account, a prerequisite for accessing the discount.

Using Your Student Discount

With student status verified and linked to a Target Circle account, applying the discount during a purchase is straightforward. The primary student discount, often a 15% to 20% off coupon, appears as a redeemable offer within the Target Circle section of the app or website. This offer is typically a one-time use coupon for a single transaction.

For online purchases, after adding desired items to the cart, students proceed to checkout. The verified student discount offer, once selected or automatically applied from the Target Circle offers, will adjust the total. Ensure the offer is activated within your Target Circle account before finalizing the purchase.

When shopping in a physical store, the process involves accessing the discount through the Target app. Students can find their student discount coupon within the “Wallet” feature of the Target app. At the register, whether at self-checkout or with a cashier, the digital coupon barcode can be scanned directly from the app. This applies the discount to eligible items.

Understanding Discount Limitations

The Target student discount comes with certain terms and conditions. A common restriction is that the primary annual student discount, often 15% to 20% off, is typically a one-time use coupon. This means careful planning for a larger purchase, such as dorm essentials or school supplies, can maximize the benefit of this specific offer.

The discount generally applies to a wide range of products but excludes certain categories and brands. Common exclusions include alcohol, Apple products, gift cards, and some specific high-value electronics or brands like Dyson, Beats, and Samsung TVs. Clearance items and specific promotional sales may also be excluded from the student discount.

Combining the student discount with other promotions can be limited. Generally, the student discount may not stack with other coupon offers or specific promotional events. However, it can often be combined with existing sale prices and the 5% savings provided by using a Target RedCard, offering an opportunity for increased savings.

The annual student discount typically has a defined validity period, often aligning with the back-to-school season, such as from June through September. Target may also provide additional, more targeted student offers throughout the year, each with its own specific validity and usage terms. Re-verification of student status is periodically required to maintain eligibility for these discounts, ensuring continued access to student savings.