The Complete Guide to Target‘s Student Discount Program

As a student trying to pinch pennies, taking advantage of every possible discount and deal can make a huge difference. Target offers a generous 15% student discount both online and in-store to help students save money on everything from dorm room decor to daily essentials.

In this comprehensive 2500+ word guide, I‘ll walk through everything a savvy shopper needs to know to sign up for Target‘s student discount program, get verified, and use your discount seamlessly online and in-store. Let‘s get started saving!

The Value of Student Discounts for Retailers

With over 20 million students enrolled in US colleges alone, students are a crucial retail demographic. But with limited incomes, discounts go a long way to attracting student spend.

Student discounts drive sales because price sensitive students will convert more with lower prices. Students also form brand loyalties early on that lasts across their lifetime.

In fact, over 80% of students surveyed say discounts play a major role in deciding where to shop. And stores with student discounts can uplift sales by 15-20% during back-to-school compared to other retailers.

Given these stellar conversion impacts, it is not surprising that leading big box retailer Target offers great student savings. Let‘s examine how students can sign up and maximize their 15% discount.

Overview of Target‘s Student Discount Program

Target offers any enrolled college, university, or trade school student a 15% discount on regular-priced purchases both online and in stores with a few easy steps:

• Create a free Target.com account
• Get verified as a student by providing details and documentation
• Save 15% automatically by showing your student barcode in-store or online

In addition to the 15% discount which can add up to over $800 a year in savings for the average student, you can stack other Target promotions, coupons from their loyalty program Target Circle, and online student deals via UNiDAYS to maximize your overall savings as a student.

The multitude of perks and benefits make getting verified for Target‘s student program a no-brainer:

• 15% average discount on all regular priced purchases
• Can be used with other Target Circle coupons and promos
• Discount works online and in-store automatically
• Exclusive student deals online via UNiDAYS
• Easy annual re-verification while enrolled

Signing Up for Target‘s Student Discount

Getting Target‘s 15% student discount is a quick and simple process if you follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Target.com Account

First, you need to have a Target account to manage your exclusive student offers and pricing. If you already created one, you can skip ahead.

To make an account and start accessing student savings:

1. Go to Target.com and click on "Account" in the top right
2. Select "Create Account" to set up your profile
3. Enter your personal email and create a secure password
4. Fill in basics like name, address, phone number
5. Review and agree to the Terms of Use and privacy policy
6. Confirm via email and you have a Target.com account!

Step 2: Enter Student Details and Get Verified

Now that you have a Target account, head to your account and provide student credentials to get verified for 15% off all purchases.

Here are step-by-step instructions to get verified:

1. Sign in and go to Account > Get Verified section
2. Select Student as the category to apply for verification under
3. Carefully enter your student details including enrollment dates, student ID and more
4. Upload clear photos or scanned copies of your documents
5. Wait 1-3 business days as Target & SheerID confirm your status
6. Check back to see your verification approval!

Documents you can provide for student verification include:

• University student ID card
• Class timetable for current semester
• Tuition or enrollment letter/email
• Payment receipts from college portal

Make sure the details you enter match your college‘s records during this process for smooth approvals.

Back-to-college shoppers are looking to save. Make sure students are aware of discounts, promotions and loyalty programs offered at your stores.

Once approved, turn on student pricing and enjoy 15% discounts automatically on future Target orders!

Troubleshooting Student Verification Issues

For most students, uploading valid proof of enrollment is enough for quick verification by SheerID and Target‘s systems.

But if you face any issues getting your student status approved, here are some tips:

• Double check personal details match your documents
• Retry uploading clearer photos of your credentials
• Contact support via help site or call 1-800-440-0680
• Get your college to assist with confirmation to SheerID

Persistence pays off! Reach out for assistance to get your rightful status approved for the many savings.

Using Target‘s Student Discount In-Store

Once student pricing is enabled in your Target account, you can instantly save 15% in stores by:

1. Shop as usual for regular priced items in store
2. Before checkout, sign into your Target app or access your account barcode
3. Show your personalized student discount barcode to the cashier
4. 15% automatically applies at payment!

A few things to note about using your well-deserved student deal in Target stores:

• Must be shown before payment to apply discount
• Can‘t be applied after purchase retroactively
• Works storewide on regular priced items
• Excludes most sale, clearance, promo items
• Stacks with Target Circle coupons and offers

So enjoy 15% off for all your shopping needs – whether it‘s decorating your first dorm room, restocking snacks, or preparing for exams!

Using Target‘s Student Discount Online

The convenience of Target‘s student discount extends seamlessly to online orders too.

As a verified member, you automatically get 15% taken off eligible regular priced items at Target.com during checkout – no codes needed!

This also applies to standard Shipping and In-Store Pickup purchases making omnichannel savings a breeze.

76% of students expect an integrated retail experience between stores and online.

And Target delivers exactly that for tech-savvy students who shop seamlessly across platforms.

On top of automatic discounts, Target also offers exclusive online promos for students via their partnership with UNiDAYS.

Follow these tips to maximize online savings:

• Ensure student pricing enabled under account settings first
• Shop on Target.com and get automatic 15% discounts
• Check UNiDAYS routinely – offers like 20% off electronics!
• Combine with Target Circle coupons for bigger savings

The unbeatable discounts online make Target.com a go-to digital destination for enrolled students.

Notable Eligible Online Purchases

While some categories like Apple products have specific exemptions, you can generally get 15% taken off automatically across thousands of products online.

Some notable categories eligible for discounts include:

• School & office supplies for classes
• Small kitchen appliances eg. microwaves, cookware
• Towels, sheets & laundry items
• Electronics like headphones, laptops
• Select clothing & shoes from trendy brands
• Dorm furniture including storage solutions
• Groceries from snack bars to cleaning products

Of course savings apply storewide sitewide – but do double check exclusions before purchasing sale or promo items online.

Maximizing Savings with Target‘s Student Discount

While the 15% student deal goes a long way toward savings, you can compound your discounts further through:

Joining Target Circle

Target Circle is their free to join loyalty program offering benefits like 1% back on purchases and exclusive coupons.

As a verified student, you‘ll periodically get Target Circle offers like $10 off $30 on essentials or 20% off bags. These one-time use coupons can be easily stacked onto your 15% discount for even bigger savings!

The more you shop at Target, the more bonus Target Circle coupons you unlock on top of your persistent student savings.

Creating College Registries

Another way students can save money at Target year-round is creating a college registry checklist.

Registries allow you to track everything you need to begin a new school year or semester. And they net completion discounts!

Create your college registry for big moves like:

• Dorm room setups
• Back-to-school checklists
• Graduation wishlists

Then take advantage of 15% off leftover items on your registry once the event rolls around!

Combining & Stacking Promotions

While the 15% discount cannot apply to existing sales and clearance items, you can combine other eligible Target promotions on top for mega savings.

Keep an eye out for hot offers like:

• Spend $100+ get $20 gift card
• Buy 2 apparel items, get 1 free
• 40% off furniture for bedrooms
• Mix & match major appliances promos

Pair the above type of deals, where applicable, with your student discount to get both promotions and maximize savings potential!

Reviewing the weekly sales ad online or using the Target app makes it easy to identify the best current deals to stack.

Budgeting for Maximum Impact

To make the most of Target‘s generous 15% student discount, make sure to plan purchases around essentials and bulk up carts to clearing thresholds on applicable deals.

Some key strategies include:

• Focus on non-discretionary purchases first
• Buy larger pack units to stock up since basics are 15% off
• Wait for thresholds like spend $75+ offers to make a purchase
• Pool together with roommates/friends to collectively save more
• Save 15% on bigger summer internship clothes refreshes

Planning big purchases around key sales and on pay-cycle refill days lets you make the most of your available budget. Pair with discounted gift cards from sites like Raise.com to maximize savings stretch!

Conclusion

Target offers unparalled value by providing enrolled students an automatic 15% discount both online and in stores to save money on college essentials, supplies, dorm furnishings and basic needs year-round.

Signing up for verification is quick and straightforward online. Just create a Target account, provide credentials and get confirmed as a student to enable student pricing on future purchases.

Combined with Target Circle coupons, UNiDAYS exclusive deals, registries and stacked offers when available, Target cements itself as a preferred retailer to help students save and live better on their limited budgets.

So sign on today to unlock savings on everything college life demands while getting the convenience of online orders and in-store runs – exclusviely with Target‘s student discount program.