Students get busy and need things fast, whether it’s getting textbooks or a midnight snack delivered. That's where a discounted Amazon Prime membership might come in handy.
Prime for Young Adults, formerly called Amazon Prime Student, is a membership program for college students and nonstudents ages 18 to 24. Membership costs $69 a year, about half the price of a regular Prime membership ($139 a year).
What does Prime for Young Adults include?
There’s a long list of things that come with a membership, including:
Free shipping — and fast
With Prime for Young Adults, members get free one-day, two-day and even same-day delivery on many items. Members can also pick a single delivery day to ensure package arrival works with their schedule.
Access to streaming services, digital book and photo storage
Members have access to a large catalog of movies and television shows through Prime Video, music and podcasts through Amazon Prime Music, and books, magazines and audiobooks through Prime Reading.
A Prime for Young Adults membership also offers unlimited photo storage, which can free up cell phone storage and provide a backup of the memories you’re making.
Food without the delivery fee
Members get a free annual membership to Grubhub+. The membership gets you free food delivery if your order meets the minimum threshold. The service costs $120 annually without Prime.
Early access to Prime Day sales
A Prime for Young Adults membership gets you early access to Prime Day sales in the summer and fall, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, along with special pricing. Members also get early dibs on deals throughout the year.
Cash Back
Young Adult members get 5% cash back on popular categories, such as electronics and apparel.
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Is Prime for Young Adults worth it?
It partly depends on your spending habits. Are you a doom spender who likes to scroll and shop when you're bored?
A Prime for Young Adults membership might end up costing more money in the long run if you’re not careful. The temporary waiving of fees could lead to ordering more takeout, and the ease of free shipping might lead to more purchases.
A Prime for Young Adults membership might end up costing more money in the long run if you’re not careful. The temporary waiving of fees could lead to ordering more takeout, and the ease of free shipping might lead to more purchases.
But, the membership is a significant discount from the regular Prime service. It could free up space in your budget if you’re able to cancel other services, such as a TV or music streaming subscription, that this membership covers.
For college students, a membership lasts four years or until graduation — whichever comes first — so if you sign up and say you're enrolled at a two-year college, your membership won't last as long.
You cannot enroll more than once after completing your eligibility window. This is a disadvantage for people who take more than four years to graduate or continue their education in graduate school.
Who qualifies for a membership?
Age matters. To qualify for Prime for Young Adults, you must be a student actively enrolled in two-year or four-year colleges. If you're not a student, but you are 18-24 years old, you also qualify. Both groups have to provide proof.
For college students
The easiest way for college students to sign up for a Prime for Young Adults membership is by using a valid .edu email address. Students must be able to access that email account in order to move through the rest of the verification process.
Students can also complete the form on the sign up page or submit proof of enrollment using an official transcript, student ID, a tuition bill or a current class roster with their name on it.
For adults ages 18 to 24
Nonstudents will need to submit a copy of a driver’s license, passport or other identification card to verify their age.
How do I sign up?
To enroll in Prime for Young Adults, visit the Prime homepage and choose the Prime for Young Adults plan. Then, select whether you’re enrolling as a college student or as someone 18 to 24. From there, you’ll be moved through the verification process.
The six-month free trial converts into a paid subscription lasting four years or until graduation —whichever comes first — for college students or until age 25 for nonstudents. At that point, the Prime for Young Adults membership becomes a traditional Prime membership at the current price.
You can cancel your membership at any point. If you're still eligible and decide to reenroll later, the six-month free trial membership will not be included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I switch my account from Amazon Prime to Prime for Young Adults and students?
If you already have a traditional Prime membership and want to get a Prime for Young Adults membership, you need to apply and supply the required information for verification. From there, Amazon will refund you the difference in membership costs.
How long does an Amazon Prime for Young Adults membership last?
The length of your Prime for Young Adults membership depends on how you enroll. For college students, a membership lasts four years or until graduation — whichever comes first. Those who use their age to enroll have the membership until 25.
After that, the membership automatically converts to a traditional Prime membership at the going rate unless you cancel. Amazon says it will email members an alert weeks before the conversion.
