Photo by Alicia Hamm (COM ’26)

Student Life

34 Ways to Save Big Using Your Terrier Card

Students can get discounts on fitness memberships, tech, fun activities around the city, and more

Terriers, did you know that your Terrier Card—Boston University’s official student and staff identification card—can be used for more than getting into your dorm or a dining hall? It can grant you free admission to museums, discounted theater tickets, and even a reduced yoga membership. 

Here are some of the best ways being a student can save you some extra money in your daily life.

Arts & Culture

BU Art Galleries

The BUAG are always free and open to the public. The galleries feature various art media through ongoing and rotating exhibitions, showcasing work by BU students and faculty, local Boston-based artists, and internationally acclaimed artists. 

BU Coit Observatory

The Judson B. Coit Observatory (725 Comm Ave) has hosted Open Nights since 1967, giving the public a chance to learn about astronomy and see the night sky through telescopes. Open Nights are held most Wednesday evenings, weather permitting, and are free, though space is limited. Tickets are required, and there is no admittance once the program begins (7:30 pm from October to March, 8:30 pm from April to September). The stairwell up to the Observatory is on the fifth floor (just to the left of room 520) and is only accessible by stairs. 

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Students get free admission to the MFA when they present their Terrier Card at the ticket window, including access to same-day special exhibitions. Keep your ID handy when you visit the museum gift store—students receive 10 percent off. 

Institute of Contemporary Art

Students can visit the ICA for free when they register for tickets as a BU student online. Admission to the museum is always free on Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 pm.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offers free admission every Thursday from 5 to 9 pm. Tickets for Free Thursday Nights are available two days before. If that day doesn’t work for you, use code “BOSTUNIV” on the ticketing webpage for free admission. Tickets are available up to four weeks in advance. Faculty and staff should use code “MPP24502YK” for a $5 ticket deal.

Boston Ballet

Seeing one of the best ballet companies in the world doesn’t have to be pricey. With Boston Ballet’s student discounts, you can see iconic pieces like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella at unbeatable prices. When shows don’t sell out, a select number of $30 rush tickets may be available two hours prior to the performance at the Citizens Opera House. Rush tickets aren’t available for every program and performance and are not available for The Nutcracker. If you plan on seeing several programs throughout the season, you can sign up for prorated rates through the Student Subscription packages. The Boston Ballet also hosts College Nights, where groups of 10 or more can score discounted tickets and pay a shared $25 group processing fee for select dates.

Boston Symphony Orchestra

With the BSO student pass, you can enjoy orchestral performances for just $5. BU students can register for a free student pass through the specific discount link on the Office of the Arts page. Once you register on the BSO site, you’ll be eligible to purchase $5 tickets to qualifying shows. Eligible performances are announced on Mondays after 10 am.

Huntington Theatre

If you have never seen a production at the Tony Award–winning Huntington Theatre, it’s time to take advantage of the discounts your student status unlocks. Full-time students can access $25 tickets to all performances with code “DISCOUNT” at checkout. The theater also has a limited number of pay-what-you-wish tickets available at the box office. 

View Boston

Take in one of the best views in Boston from the top of the Prudential Tower, featuring indoor and outdoor observation decks. Students can save $5 on general admission tickets at the box office. 

New England Aquarium

Itching to see a giant Pacific octopus, a green sea turtle, or a family of penguins? Look no further than the New England Aquarium. At its imposing concrete, glass, and steel home next to Boston Harbor, the aquarium has cared for the ocean and its marine animals for more than 50 years. Students can save $5 on general admission tickets, which include a dozen exhibits and a touch pool. 

Tech

Adobe Creative Cloud

You don’t have to be a graphic design or film major to get access to Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, and more, all for free. BU students may request a license for Adobe Creative Cloud through the BU Information Services & Technology page.

Microsoft

Students are eligible to receive one Microsoft license, which includes Windows and Office 365 apps. Programs can be installed on up to five computers, five tablets, and five smartphones. See the full list of download instructions on the BU IS&T page. Students, parents, and faculty can also save up to 10 percent on select devices through the Microsoft Education online store.

Apple

Save on a MacBook, iPad, and more with the Apple Education store. Educators and college students and their parents are eligible for education pricing, indicated by a green graduation cap next to a product listing. Deals vary, so be sure to shop from the BU Apple Education Store for savings. 

HP

When you register for the HP Education Program, you can unlock up to 40 percent off on advanced HP tech—this means select consumer and business PCs, printers, and accessories. This deal is also available to parents, guardians, and educators. 

Lenovo

Students, staff, and faculty are eligible for discounted laptops through the Lenovo BU Store for Education. A link to the specific BU page can be found on the IS&T webpage. Students and teachers can additionally save 5 percent year-round with Lenovo’s student discount deal. Students must register through the Lenovo website to create a verified Lenovo Education account. 

Logitech

Both full-time and part-time students are eligible to receive 20 percent off on the Logitech website. After verifying your student status through Sheer ID, students can use their discount six times per year. 

Samsung

Through the Samsung Education Offer Program, students and educators can get up to 30 percent in savings on select Samsung products, including smartphones, tablets, watches, and even washing machines and televisions.

Transportation

MBTA Semester Pass

Save 11 percent on a standard monthly transportation pass with the MBTA Semester Pass. The $320 Link Pass is the most popular option. Applications for the pass open before the fall and spring semesters, respectively. Be sure to pay attention to the deadline: no applications, cancellations, or refunds will be processed after the due date. The pass is intended for commuting students who take at least 34 trips per month, and are not a great deal for students who live on or near campus, according to the BU Transportation website. 

Amtrak

Students between the ages of 17 and 24 can save up to 15 percent on Amtrak purchases made one day in advance. The discount is automatically applied when you select qualifying travel, although you can also use code “V814” on the Amtrak app or online. 

BlueBikes Membership

The Boston Bike Pass is an annual BlueBikes membership that is offered only to residents of the City of Boston, including students using their BU address. Students and residents who have not had a BlueBikes membership in the last three years are eligible to receive the discounted $60 annual membership. 

Zipcar

When you join Zipcar, a car-sharing alternative to renting, you can save up to $90 on an annual membership—with your first year on BU. Student membership plans include secondary insurance for all trips, gas, maintenance, roadside assistance, and a discounted on-campus driving rate.

Books & Media

Newspapers including the New York Times, Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal

Current students, faculty, and staff can access many newspapers for free, both online and through their apps, when they sign up with their BU email address. 

Kanopy 

Get access to thousands of free movies and television shows through BU’s library collection on Kanopy. Kanopy features documentaries, training films, and theatrical releases, including films from the esteemed Criterion Collection.

AMC Theatres

AMC offers special student pricing each day at select locations, comparable to senior and military discounts. 

Spotify Premium and Hulu

Get ad-free Spotify and Hulu (with ads) free for one month with your student email, then $6.99 per month after. Students are eligible for discounted pricing for up to four consecutive years and must resubmit their eligibility annually. 

Sports & Fitness

Red Sox

Score $9 tickets to see the Red Sox at Fenway Park with Student9s. When you register with the college ticket program, you’ll receive text messages on game days that still have tickets available. Be sure to act quickly—tickets sell out fast.

Boston Bruins

See a hockey game outside of Agganis Arena with the Boston Bruins College Nights. On select dates, students are eligible to purchase TD Garden balcony tickets for $60. 

CorePower Yoga

While FitRec offers free drop-in fitness classes throughout the year, sometimes dates and times don’t align with a busy student’s schedule. You can still meet your fitness goals with CorePower Yoga’s student discounts. CorePower offers 20 percent off new memberships and class packs, where you can choose from 5 to 50 classes.

Retail

Agganis Arena Student Concession

Students can purchase a $3 concession item when they show their Terrier Card at Agganis Arena’s Terrier Town Concession stand behind Section 118. Concession offerings include pretzels, popcorn, chips, hot dogs, and more.

Student Wellbeing 

BU Student Wellbeing offers a variety of services to support varying food needs. The Terrier Meal Share allows students to donate unused guest swipes to any BU student. Students can apply to receive swipes as needed. BU also utilizes the Too Good to Go app, which packs surprise bags filled with various items from the George Sherman Union to limit local food waste. Doors to the BU Food Pantry are open for those who need it, with order forms available online.

Professional Clothing Closet

The Center for Career Development’s Professional Clothing Closet allows students to rent clothing from premium and designer brands at discounted rates. Students work with a personalized styling consultant to select six clothing items that can be used for up to 30 days. Clothing boxes may be purchased for $60, and are guaranteed to be available in a range of sizes. Clothes are delivered directly to the student’s doorstep. 

Star Market

Save an extra 5 percent on all transactions when you sign up for Star Market rewards with your student email. For each visit, you earn points that can be converted to rewards at a later date. 

GrubHub+

Students are eligible for a free GrubHub+ account through graduation, which unlocks zero delivery fees, lower service fees, and 5 percent credit back on off-campus pickup orders. 

Goodwill

Students can save extra at Goodwill, on Tuesdays only, with their Terrier Card. Save 20 percent on your transaction.