Spotify's student plan includes music streaming, Hulu, and Showtime for $5 a month — here's how to sign up

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• Spotify offers a discounted plan for students who verify their enrollment. 
• The special bundle offers ad-free music streaming, plus Hulu and Showtime, for $5/month.
• Through September 11, you can get your first three months of Spotify Premium Student for free.

Being a college student is expensive, but there are ways to save money if you know where to look. In fact, several companies offer special discounts on products and services to help reduce costs while you're in school.

Spotify is one of these businesses, and its Premium Student plan is easily among the most value-packed subscriptions out there. For only $5 a month, verified students get Spotify Premium, ad-supported Hulu, and Showtime. Now through September 11, you can even get your first three months for free. 

How to get Spotify Premium Student

Signing up for a Spotify Premium Student account is a lot like subscribing to a regular plan, but the process requires one extra step to verify your enrollment status. 

1. Sign in to your existing Spotify account, or create a new one through the Premium Student plan page.
2. Verify your student status by following the on-screen instructions.
3. Enter your payment information.

Through September 11, new members of Spotify Premium Student can snag a free three-month trial — a huge upgrade from the typical one-month trial. After the trial ends, your plan will continue at $5 a month. 

What comes with Spotify Premium Student?

Spotify Premium Student offers more perks than just a discounted Spotify Premium subscription. In addition to ad-free Spotify music streaming, the plan also includes ad-supported Hulu (a $7/month value) and Showtime (an $11/month value).

Together, all three services would normally cost $28 a month, but with this bundle you save $23 every month.

Who is eligible for Spotify's Premium Student plan?

In order to qualify for Spotify's Premium Student plan, you need to be enrolled at a US Title IV accredited college or university, and be above the age of 18. Students studying abroad are also eligible, just make sure your account's country or region matches where you're studying.

How does Spotify verify my student status?

Spotify uses a well-known student discount program called SheerID to verify your status. The site is integrated into Spotify's sign-up process, so you won't need to worry about leaving the page to do this.

SheerID asks for the following to check your enrollment:

• First and last name
• College name
• Date of birth

Can I still use Spotify Premium Student after graduating?

Spotify Premium Student remains active for 12 months after you renew each year and can be renewed three times — that means you can only have the plan for four years, max. 

Once you graduate, your plan remains active until your renewal date arrives. If you can't verify student status at that point, you lose Spotify Premium Student perks.