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Real benefits available to active community members, organized by category. These aren't affiliate **** – these are actual perks that save money or provide value.
Developer Tools & Platforms
GitHub Education – Not just for students. Teachers and researchers get access too. Free GitHub Pro, unlimited private repos, advanced tools. Also includes partner offers worth thousands.
AWS Activate – Startup credits for AWS services. Up to $100K in credits for qualified startups. Access through accelerators, VCs, or startup programs.
Google Cloud for Startups – Up to $200K in cloud credits over two years. Support from Google engineers. Must be part of approved startup program or have VC backing.
Microsoft for Startups – Azure credits, GitHub Enterprise, Microsoft 365. Up to $150K in benefits. Open to startups under 5 years old with less than $10M funding.
DigitalOcean Hatch – $1K in credits plus education resources. No funding requirement. Simple application. Good alternative for smaller projects.
Design & Creative Tools
Adobe Creative Cloud – Student/teacher discount 60% off (proof required). Photo plan ($9.99/month) includes Lightroom and Photoshop.
Figma – Free for students and educators with verified email. Professional features included. No time limit while enrolled.
Learning Platforms
LinkedIn Learning – Often free through libraries. Check your local library card for access. Also free month trial.
Udemy – Wait for sales (constantly happening). Courses drop from $100+ to $10-15. Check r/Udemy for current codes.
O'Reilly Learning – Check if your employer offers free access. Many tech companies provide O'Reilly subscriptions. Also available through ACM membership ($99/year includes O'Reilly access).
Domain & Hosting
Namecheap – Regular promo codes for domains and hosting. Newsletter subscribers get exclusive codes. Student program offers free domain and hosting.
GitHub Student Pack – Includes free domain from Namecheap, free hosting credits, SSL certificates. Massive value for students building portfolios.
Productivity Tools
Notion – Free Plus plan for students and educators. Unlimited file uploads, version history, advanced permissions. Verify with school email.
Slack – Free for educational institutions. Standard plan features free for students, faculty, staff. Normally $7.25/user/month.
Canva – Free for teachers, students, nonprofits. Pro features included. Verify through application process.
Startup Programs
Y Combinator Startup School – Free startup course with $15K in partner credits. Includes AWS, DigitalOcean, Stripe, others. Open to anyone building startups.
Stripe Atlas – $500 to incorporate Delaware C-corp, includes $5K AWS credits, $1K in Stripe credit processing, legal templates. Worth it if incorporating anyway.
Referral Programs Worth Using
DigitalOcean – $200 credit for new users via referral links. Referrer gets $25. Actually useful since DO commonly used.
Wise – International money transfer with minimal fees. Referral gives free transfer (up to £500/equivalent). Both parties benefit.
How to Maximize Perks
Stack benefits. GitHub Student Pack includes multiple tools. Each with own benefits. One verification unlocks dozens of perks.
Verify all applicable statuses. Student, educator, nonprofit, open-source contributor. Each opens different discount programs.
Join professional associations. ACM membership ($99/year) includes O'Reilly, conference discounts, networking. ROI often 5-10x membership cost.
Follow companies on social media. Exclusive discount codes often shared with followers before public announcements.
Use educational emails. .edu emails unlock huge number of discounts even if you're not current student (alumni emails often still work).
**** Red Flags
"Act now, limited time" without clear value. Real deals don't require high-pressure tactics.
Requiring payment upfront for "free trial." Legitimate trials don't charge until trial ends.
Multi-level marketing schemes. If value is recruiting others, it's pyramid scheme.
Asking for banking info or SSN for "verification." That's phishing.
Share What Works
Found a legitimate discount or perk? Post it with details on how to access. Negotiated group discount? Share how you did it. Discovered program community members qualify for? Spread the word.
Developer Tools & Platforms
GitHub Education – Not just for students. Teachers and researchers get access too. Free GitHub Pro, unlimited private repos, advanced tools. Also includes partner offers worth thousands.
AWS Activate – Startup credits for AWS services. Up to $100K in credits for qualified startups. Access through accelerators, VCs, or startup programs.
Google Cloud for Startups – Up to $200K in cloud credits over two years. Support from Google engineers. Must be part of approved startup program or have VC backing.
Microsoft for Startups – Azure credits, GitHub Enterprise, Microsoft 365. Up to $150K in benefits. Open to startups under 5 years old with less than $10M funding.
DigitalOcean Hatch – $1K in credits plus education resources. No funding requirement. Simple application. Good alternative for smaller projects.
Design & Creative Tools
Adobe Creative Cloud – Student/teacher discount 60% off (proof required). Photo plan ($9.99/month) includes Lightroom and Photoshop.
Figma – Free for students and educators with verified email. Professional features included. No time limit while enrolled.
Learning Platforms
LinkedIn Learning – Often free through libraries. Check your local library card for access. Also free month trial.
Udemy – Wait for sales (constantly happening). Courses drop from $100+ to $10-15. Check r/Udemy for current codes.
O'Reilly Learning – Check if your employer offers free access. Many tech companies provide O'Reilly subscriptions. Also available through ACM membership ($99/year includes O'Reilly access).
Domain & Hosting
Namecheap – Regular promo codes for domains and hosting. Newsletter subscribers get exclusive codes. Student program offers free domain and hosting.
GitHub Student Pack – Includes free domain from Namecheap, free hosting credits, SSL certificates. Massive value for students building portfolios.
Productivity Tools
Notion – Free Plus plan for students and educators. Unlimited file uploads, version history, advanced permissions. Verify with school email.
Slack – Free for educational institutions. Standard plan features free for students, faculty, staff. Normally $7.25/user/month.
Canva – Free for teachers, students, nonprofits. Pro features included. Verify through application process.
Startup Programs
Y Combinator Startup School – Free startup course with $15K in partner credits. Includes AWS, DigitalOcean, Stripe, others. Open to anyone building startups.
Stripe Atlas – $500 to incorporate Delaware C-corp, includes $5K AWS credits, $1K in Stripe credit processing, legal templates. Worth it if incorporating anyway.
Referral Programs Worth Using
DigitalOcean – $200 credit for new users via referral links. Referrer gets $25. Actually useful since DO commonly used.
Wise – International money transfer with minimal fees. Referral gives free transfer (up to £500/equivalent). Both parties benefit.
How to Maximize Perks
Stack benefits. GitHub Student Pack includes multiple tools. Each with own benefits. One verification unlocks dozens of perks.
Verify all applicable statuses. Student, educator, nonprofit, open-source contributor. Each opens different discount programs.
Join professional associations. ACM membership ($99/year) includes O'Reilly, conference discounts, networking. ROI often 5-10x membership cost.
Follow companies on social media. Exclusive discount codes often shared with followers before public announcements.
Use educational emails. .edu emails unlock huge number of discounts even if you're not current student (alumni emails often still work).
**** Red Flags
"Act now, limited time" without clear value. Real deals don't require high-pressure tactics.
Requiring payment upfront for "free trial." Legitimate trials don't charge until trial ends.
Multi-level marketing schemes. If value is recruiting others, it's pyramid scheme.
Asking for banking info or SSN for "verification." That's phishing.
Share What Works
Found a legitimate discount or perk? Post it with details on how to access. Negotiated group discount? Share how you did it. Discovered program community members qualify for? Spread the word.