If you’re a student and you haven’t yet heard about Adobe Creative Cloud, you’re missing out on one of the most comprehensive software collections for creative professionals. From photography and graphic design to video editing and more, Adobe offers a suite of industry-standard tools that can bring your creative visions to life.
This article will not only introduce you to Adobe Creative Cloud, but more importantly, it will walk you through how to get the Adobe student discount, which can save you up to 65% on your subscription.
We’ll cover everything—from eligibility requirements to discount details by region, a step-by-step guide on how to apply, and even what to expect after the first year. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if Adobe Creative Cloud is right for you as a student.
What Is Adobe Creative Cloud?
Adobe Creative Cloud is a subscription-based service that gives you access to more than 20 Adobe apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and many more. These apps are industry leaders in their fields, widely used by professionals in graphic design, video editing, photography, web development, and digital marketing.
Unlike purchasing standalone versions of Adobe software, Creative Cloud gives you access to regular updates, new features, and even collaborative tools across the suite. This makes it particularly appealing for students who are building their skills for future creative careers.
Also Read: List of Student Discounts and Deals | The Ultimate Guide
Adobe Student Discount: Overview
The Adobe student discount offers a significant reduction in the subscription cost of Adobe Creative Cloud. As of 2024, students can save up to 65% off the regular price of a full Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. This discount makes the full suite of Adobe apps more affordable for students pursuing creative studies or even those just looking to experiment with new skills.
Here’s what the discount looks like by region:
- United States: The price drops from $52.99/month to $19.99/month for the first year.
- United Kingdom: Students can save 67%, paying £16.24/month instead of £49.94/month.
- Australia: Students receive an impressive 71% discount, reducing the price from AU$76.99 to AU$21.99/month.
In addition to students, teachers and educational staff can also benefit from a 60% discount on the Adobe Creative Cloud all-apps subscription.
Eligibility Requirements for Adobe Student Discount
To qualify for the Adobe student discount, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Adobe has streamlined the process, but it’s still essential to know what documentation you need to provide and the type of students who are eligible.
Age Requirement
- You must be at least 13 years old to qualify for the student discount.
Educational Institution
- You must be enrolled in an accredited institution. This includes:
- Universities and colleges (including community, junior, and vocational colleges).
- Primary or secondary schools, whether public or private.
- Homeschooled students also qualify but will need to provide specific documentation (see below).
Your institution must be accredited and offer either part-time or full-time study.
Proof of Eligibility
To prove your student status, Adobe typically requires one of the following forms of documentation:
- Student Email Address: The easiest way to verify your student status is by providing an official student email. For example:
- U.S.:
.eduor.k12email address - U.K.:
.ac.ukemail address
- U.S.:
- School ID: If you don’t have an official student email, you can submit a valid school ID.
- Report Card or Transcript: A recent report card or transcript showing your name, institution, and enrollment status.
- Tuition Bill or Statement: An official statement from your institution indicating your current enrollment.
For homeschooled students, acceptable forms of proof include:
- A dated copy of your letter of intent to homeschool.
- A current membership ID for a homeschool association.
- Proof of purchase for a homeschool curriculum for the current academic year.
Adobe generally accepts documents issued within the last six months as proof of enrollment.
How to Apply for the Adobe Student Discount
The process to apply for the Adobe student discount is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Go to Adobe’s Student & Teacher Discounts Page Visit Adobe’s official website and navigate to the “Students & Teachers” tab.
- Choose Your Plan
- Select the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.
- Adobe typically offers two payment options:
- Monthly: $19.99/month for the first year.
- Prepaid Annual Plan: $239.88/year, which comes out to the same $19.99 per month but requires upfront payment.
- Enter Your Student Email
- If you have a student email, use it during registration. This will make the verification process faster and easier.
- Provide Additional Documentation (if needed)
- If you don’t have a student email, Adobe may ask for additional proof of your student status, such as a school ID or transcript.
- Complete Payment
- Enter your payment details and complete the subscription process. Adobe will charge you $19.99/month (or the equivalent in your region) after verifying your eligibility.
- Verification and Access
- Adobe will verify your documents or email, and once approved, you will gain access to the full suite of Creative Cloud apps at the discounted price.
What Happens After the First Year?
After the first year, the price of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription increases slightly. For students in the U.S., the price rises from $19.99/month to $29.99/month. This is still a substantial discount from the regular price of $52.99/month. Similar increases apply in other regions:
- United Kingdom: £16.24/month increases to £24.96/month.
- Australia: AU$21.99/month rises to AU$43.99/month.
It’s important to note that once you sign up for the Adobe student discount, you can continue using the discounted plan even after graduation for a limited time. Adobe does not automatically revoke the discount upon graduation, so you can enjoy the lower price for some time after finishing your studies.
Also Read: How to get a YouTube Premium Student Discount
Limitations and Terms of the Adobe Student Discount
While the Adobe student discount is generous, it does come with some limitations and important terms to be aware of:
- Subscription-Based: The Adobe Creative Cloud subscription means you do not own the software. If you stop paying, you lose access to the apps and any files stored in Adobe’s cloud storage.
- Cloud Storage: The subscription includes 100GB of cloud storage, which can be used for Adobe Spark, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Portfolio. If you exceed this limit, you may need to purchase additional storage.
- Renewal: Adobe’s discount applies for the first year, after which the price increases. There is no penalty for canceling, but you must do so before the renewal date to avoid additional charges.
- Software Usage: The student discount allows you to use Adobe apps for personal or educational projects, but you can also use them for commercial work. This is a great benefit for freelancers or students looking to build a portfolio.
How Adobe Verifies Your Student Status
Adobe verifies student status in one of two ways:
- Student Email: If you register using your school’s official email address, the verification process is automated and quick.
- Manual Verification: If you don’t have a student email, Adobe will ask for additional documents, such as a school ID, report card, or transcript. They may also request a tuition bill or other proof of enrollment.
For homeschooled students, the verification process may take longer, as Adobe will need to manually review documents like letters of intent or homeschool association memberships.
Once your student status is confirmed, you’ll be eligible for the discount. If Adobe is unable to verify your status, they will notify you via email with instructions on how to proceed.
Adobe Creative Cloud Apps: What’s Included?
The Adobe Creative Cloud all-apps subscription gives you access to more than 20 creative applications. Here are some of the most popular:
- Adobe Photoshop: Industry-standard software for photo editing, graphic design, and digital art.
- Adobe Illustrator: A vector graphics editor widely used for logo design, icons, and illustrations.
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Professional-grade video editing software used for film, TV, and YouTube content.
- Adobe After Effects: A motion graphics and visual effects software for adding animation and special effects to videos.
- Adobe InDesign: A layout design tool for creating professional-quality print and digital publications.
- Adobe XD: A vector-based tool for designing user interfaces and user experiences for websites and mobile apps.
- Adobe Lightroom: A photo organization and editing tool that allows photographers to edit images in bulk.
- Adobe Premiere Rush: A simplified video editor designed for quick, social media-friendly videos.
These apps allow students to work on a variety of creative projects, from simple photo edits to professional video productions.
Regional Differences in Adobe Pricing and Discounts
The Adobe student discount varies slightly depending on the country or region. Below are some of the most notable regional variations:
United States
- Discount: 65% off the regular price.
- Monthly Price: $19.99 for the first year, increasing to $29.99/month in the second year.
- Annual Plan: $239.88/year prepaid for the first year.
United Kingdom
- Discount: 67% off the regular price.
- Monthly Price: £16.24 for the first year, increasing to £24.96/month in the second year.
- Annual Plan: £194.88/year prepaid for the first year.
Australia
- Discount: 71% off the regular price.
- Monthly Price: AU$21.99 for the first year, increasing to AU$43.99/month in the second year.
- Annual Plan: AU$263.88/year prepaid for the first year.
Canada
- Discount: 68% off the regular price.
- Monthly Price: CA$25.99 for the first year, increasing to CA$39.99/month in the second year.
- Annual Plan: CA$311.88/year prepaid for the first year.
European Union
- Discount: 60-70% off depending on the country.
- Monthly Price: €19.50 to €22.00 for the first year, increasing to €29.99/month in the second year.
Regional taxes and fees may apply, so be sure to check the final pricing at checkout.
What Happens if You Graduate?
Many students wonder whether they will lose their Adobe Creative Cloud discount after they graduate. The good news is that Adobe does not immediately revoke your discount once you graduate. In most cases, you can continue using the student discount for a limited period post-graduation.
However, Adobe reserves the right to periodically request proof of continued student status, especially if you keep the discount for more than one year after graduating. If they do, you’ll be required to submit updated documents or risk losing the discount.
If Adobe determines that you are no longer eligible, they will notify you before applying the full price to your subscription.
Comparing Adobe’s Student Discount to Other Software Providers
Adobe’s student discount is highly competitive, but it’s worth comparing it to other popular creative software options to determine whether it’s the best fit for you.
Affinity Suite
- Apps Included: Affinity Designer (vector graphics), Affinity Photo (photo editing), Affinity Publisher (layout design).
- Price: Affinity offers a one-time purchase rather than a subscription. Each app costs $54.99, which means you pay once and own the software forever.
- Pros: No subscription fees; one-time cost.
- Cons: Fewer features than Adobe’s Creative Cloud apps; not as widely used in the industry.
GIMP
- Apps Included: GIMP (photo editing and design).
- Price: Free, open-source software.
- Pros: Completely free; open-source means it is highly customizable.
- Cons: Limited features compared to Adobe Photoshop; less intuitive interface.
CorelDRAW
- Apps Included: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite (vector illustration, photo editing, and more).
- Price: $249 for a one-time purchase or $16.50/month for a subscription.
- Pros: One-time purchase option available; lower subscription cost than Adobe.
- Cons: Fewer apps than Adobe’s suite; not as commonly used in professional settings.
In conclusion, while there are some excellent alternatives to Adobe, the Creative Cloud student discount still offers the best value for students who need a wide range of professional-grade creative tools.
Conclusion: Is the Adobe Student Discount Worth It?
In short, yes—Adobe’s student discount offers significant savings and provides students with access to world-class creative tools that are widely used in industries such as design, photography, and video production. At $19.99 per month for the first year (or the equivalent in your region), the price is more affordable than ever, and the potential for skill development and portfolio building is immense.
However, it’s crucial to be mindful of the increase in price after the first year and to consider whether Adobe Creative Cloud is the right choice for your creative needs. For students seeking a professional career in the creative industries, this subscription is an investment in future career success.
Be sure to weigh your options, compare alternatives, and check out regional pricing to get the best deal possible.
