HBO MAX Student Discount: How To Get 50% Off in March 2025

Max — formerly HBO Max for those still catching up — remains a powerhouse streaming service that brings you everything from dragons and dystopian futures to awkward family comedies.

And here's some good news for students: Max now offers a dedicated student discount as of July 2024, cutting the price of its Basic With Ads plan in half. That means eligible college students can stream all the platform's hit series, blockbuster films, and exclusive content for just $4.99 per month — a much easier investment when your budget is already stretched thin.

Beyond the student savings, Max continues to deliver serious value, especially when it comes to its content. The platform will be the exclusive streaming home for 2025 Academy Award-nominated films Sing Sing and Flow.

Add in major returning series like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us, plus the streaming debut of upcoming Robert Pattinson flick Mickey 17, and it's clear that Max remains a top-tier choice — now with an actual student discount to sweeten the deal.

Max Student Discount Deal

Max Streaming Service Student Discount

$4.99/mo.

Students who wish to consume all the Max content they can get their hands on can do so and save 50% to boot in 2025! You'll have to be a student at an accredited college or university and verify your status through UNiDAYS. Once you have the discounted subscription, it'll automatically renew at that rate each month for 12 months unless you cancel.Note this discount only applies to the Max With Ads monthly plan, which offers unlimited access to all of HBO including hit series, movies, news, sports, and more. Watch in full HD resolution on up to two devices at once with this plan.

Buy Now

Other Streaming Student Discounts

Peacock Premium Student Offer

$2.99/mo. for 12 months

Students (with a valid SheerID verification) get this monthly price for 12 months with this 2025 offer, saving you $60 in total. After the 12 months are up, your subscription will auto-renew at the then-current annual retail price, but it can be canceled at any time. Students can renew the offer annually if they continue to meet verification requirements.Want to learn more about Peacock discounts? Our guide to Peacock TV promo codes for 2025 has the info you need for saving on the streaming service. Also check out our guide to Peacock subscription costs and prices to learn how much Peacock is in 2025.

Buy Now

Paramount+ Essential Student Discount

$5.99 per month

College students can score a Paramount+ Essential subscription for $5.99 a month in 2025. That's a 25% discount compared to the typical price of $7.99 for the monthly plan. Note that you'll need to verify your student credentials during sign-up to get the lower price.Want to learn more about Paramount Plus discounts? Our guide to Paramount Plus coupon codes in 2025 has the info you need for scoring discounts on the streaming service. Also check out our guide to Paramount Plus subscription costs and prices to learn how much Paramount Plus is in 2025.

Buy Now

Hulu Student Discount Deal

$1.99 / mo.

Students get 75% off the monthly price of the Hulu (With Ads) plan in 2025 as long as their student status remains verified through SheerID. Once they're no longer college students, the monthly cost is $7.99, or whatever the then-current price is. Cancellation is allowed at any time.

Buy Now

How Can I Get a Max Student Discount This Year?

If you're a student looking to balance your binge-watching habits with your ramen-noodle budget, Max has your back. You can now score a 50% discount on the Basic With Ads plan, dropping the price to just $4.99 per month.

That means you get access to HBO Originals, blockbuster films, and all the prestige TV you can handle — without having to beg your roommate for their login. Sure, you'll sit through a few ads, but considering the price of one overpriced campus coffee, it's a solid trade-off.

Of course, there's a small catch: you'll need to prove you're actually a student (sorry, alumni, this one's not for you). Max relies on UNiDAYS to verify your enrollment, which means you'll have to go through a quick sign-up process before unlocking your discounted subscription.

Here's how to grab your special deal:

• Navigate to the Max student discount page (max.com/student) and click the "Get the Deal" button. You must be at least 18 years old and currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States.

• From there, you'll be directed to create or log in to a UNiDAYS account. Because here, as Robert Frost might say, two roads diverged in a digital wood — and you'll take the one that leads to half-priced HBO Max. And that has made all the difference. (If you're new, sign up with your student email. If you already have an account, just log in.)

• Verify your student status by providing the required details (name, birthdate, and school info to start). If the service has trouble confirming your student status, you may need to upload a copy of your schedule, tuition statement, or some other official documentation. If you're having trouble with this step, head to the UNiDAYS support center.

• Once you're verified, find the Max offer on UNiDAYS and click "Get Now" to generate your unique promo code. Copy the promo code and click Launch Website to head to the Max redemption page. Simply paste your unique code and follow the steps to create or log in to your Max account.

Finally, your subscription is now active. Start streaming like a champion! Once you're in, you can stream to your heart's content—whether that means binging House of the Dragon between classes or watching Euphoria instead of writing that term paper.

Of note, the discount lasts for 12 months. After that, you'll need to reverify your student status (still through UNiDAYS) to keep the deal going. If you want an ad-free experience, live sports, or premium features, you'll have to cough up the full price.

SEE ALSO: The Best Student Discount Codes of 2025

How Much Does HBO Max Cost in 2025?

Max subscription costs range from $4.99 to $20.99 per month, depending on the plan you choose. The most affordable option available to everyone is the Basic With Ads plan at $9.99/month (or $99.99 annually), but students can cut that price in half with a verified discount, bringing their cost down to $4.99/month.

The trade-off? You'll have to sit through some ads, and you won't get access to live sports or premium features.

If you prefer an ad-free experience, the Standard plan costs $16.99/month ($169.99 annually) and includes offline downloads and live sports via B/R Sports. For the best quality and the most perks, the Premium plan runs $20.99/month ($209.99 annually) and offers 4K streaming, support for four devices at once, and up to 100 downloads for offline viewing.

Max's annual pricing can save you a decent chunk of change if you're willing to pay upfront. Opting for a yearly plan instead of monthly billing knocks about 16% off the total cost. If you're committed to Max for the long haul, going annual is an easy way to keep a little extra cash in your pocket.

Ultimately, the right plan comes down to how (and how much) you watch. Casual viewers might find the ad-supported tier perfectly fine, while dedicated streamers — or anyone sharing an account — may want to spring for Standard or Premium.

What Competitors Offer Student Discounts?

If you're a student trying to stretch your budget, the good news is that several streaming services offer student discounts. Hulu is the undisputed champion in this category, offering a jaw-dropping $1.99/month plan for students, making it one of the cheapest ways to binge your favorite shows.

Peacock also keeps things ultra-affordable at just $2.99/month, while Max and Paramount Plus land in the mid-range at $4.99 and $5.99, respectively. Apple TV Plus and Amazon Prime take a different approach, bundling their discounts with other perks — Apple actually discounts their music streaming service and includes Apple TV Plus for free, while Amazon throws in a six-month free trial of the full Amazon Prime service (including Prime Video) before the price starts at $7.49/month.

Netflix and YouTube TV? No dice. Netflix continues to hold out on offering student discounts, so you'll have to pay full price or find another way to mooch off a friend's plan. YouTube TV is even pricier, coming in at $82.99/month with no discount in sight — definitely not an easy sell for the average college budget.

So, what's the best deal? That depends on what you're looking for. If you're after the cheapest possible plan, Hulu and Peacock are hard to beat. If you want the most content variety, Max and Amazon Prime Video offer solid discounts with blockbuster movies and award-winning shows.

Either way, student discounts can knock a serious chunk off your streaming costs. Take advantage while you still have that .edu email address!

What Did Max Student Discounts Look Like Previously?

For years, HBO Max treated student discounts like an urban legend — often whispered about, never actually seen. If you were hoping for a discount before 2024, your best bet was finding a roommate with a login or strategically timing Max's 7-day free trial.

That all changed when Max finally joined the student discount party in 2024, offering a 50% cut on its Basic With Ads plan. It was a long-overdue move, but hey, better late than never.

Which Max Membership Packages Have Ads?

Unsurprisingly, the Basic With Ads plan includes advertisements, making it the only option for the student discount. Students should note that ad-free experiences are exclusive to the Standard and Premium packages.

Although the ad-free plans give you uninterrupted bingeing and access to some premium content, Max's ad-supported option is great for those who don't mind a few interruptions in exchange for a lower price. Plus, it's a way for Max to reach a wider audience while keeping things affordable. If you're not a fan of ads, you can always upgrade — but for many, a few commercials are worth saving a few bucks.

Are Student Discounts Stackable?

HBO Max typically doesn't allow stacking with other discounts or promos. So, if you're lucky enough to score a student deal, it's probably going to be the best offer you can get, unless they run special promotions where you can combine a student discount with something else. But it's always a good idea to check the fine print or ask customer support just to be sure.

When Will My Discount Expire?

HBO Max's student discount does have a time limit — 12 months. After that, you'll need to re-verify your student status through UNiDAYS to keep the discount going. Be sure to mark your calendar so you're not hit with a surprise price increase when the discount expires.

And just like with other services, if you stop being a student, the discount will likely disappear — so keep that in mind when you start pondering grad school!

When is the Best Time to Save on HBO Max?

The best time to save on HBO Max is typically during seasonal sales or promotional events, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or New Year's. They often offer discounts on subscriptions or bundles during these periods, giving you a chance to lock in a lower rate for a year or more.

Keep an eye out for any announcements, as HBO Max occasionally offers deals or discounts around the release of major new shows or movies. If you've been waiting for a particular title to drop, that could be your cue to score a deal!

Is HBO Max Worth It In 2025?

HBO Max is absolutely worth it in 2025, especially if you're a student taking advantage of those discounted rates. The platform offers a ton of value with its extensive library, featuring some of the most talked-about shows like The Last of Us and Euphoria — not to mention blockbuster movies like The Batman and Barbie.

For budget-conscious streamers, Max offers plenty of ways to save, from promotional deals to bundle discounts. Watching your favorite shows without breaking the bank is totally doable, and there's always the chance to score a great deal with limited-time offers or partnering services.

2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Max, with The Last of Us, The White Lotus, and Hacks all returning with new seasons, plus buzzy new movies like Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, exclusively heading to Max after their theatrical runs. The platform is already home to 2025 Academy Award-nominated films Sing Sing and Flow, adding even more prestige.

These highly anticipated releases, along with the impressive back-catalog of content, make Max a must-have for entertainment lovers looking for quality and variety. So, if you're a student or just someone looking for a top-tier streaming experience at a fair price, Max is a solid bet.

Why Trust DealNews

DealNews was founded in 1997, giving DealNews over 25 years of experience in finding the best deals across different categories of services and products.

Interested in saving money on your favorite streaming discounts? Sign up for the DealNews Select newsletter to receive emails with some of the hottest deals every weekday. Make the most of these deal offerings by setting a deal alert for products you're interested in.

Related Blog Posts:

• Learn what senior discounts are available starting at age 50 and how to track them.
• Looking for the cheapest way to sign up for the top streaming services? Discover the best bundles this year.