International Student Phone Plan Discounts: What You Need To Know

As an international student, staying connected with friends and family back home is important. Luckily, there are a variety of phone plans that cater specifically to international students, offering perks such as discounted rates, special packages, and additional services. Some companies even offer free SIM cards, flexible payment options, and exclusive discounts on other devices. This introduction will explore the best phone plans for international students, helping them to stay connected wherever their educational journey takes them.

Discounted phone plans for international students in the US

As an international student in the US, you can choose from a variety of discounted phone plans to stay connected without breaking the bank. Many mobile plan providers recognize the unique needs and financial constraints of students and offer exclusive discounts and deals.

To avail of these student discounts, you'll need to provide valid identification, such as a student ID or a university-affiliated .edu email address. Some providers may also require you to present additional documents, such as a passport and an international student visa.

• Verizon Wireless: Offers reduced rates on select plans and devices for students with valid IDs. They also provide extensive global coverage in over 220 countries, ensuring you can stay connected while travelling.
• AT&T: Extends exclusive deals on data and smartphone packages for qualifying students. Their AT&T Unlimited Premium plan offers a $10 monthly reduction per line, with the option to apply this discount to up to five lines.
• T-Mobile: Presents discounted plans with benefits such as savings on unlimited data for students with a valid .edu email address. They also have a range of prepaid and postpaid offerings for customers without a social security number (SSN), making it convenient for international students.
• FreedomPop: Offers budget-friendly plans that include free phone plans, additional international calling perks, and connectivity in the US and 48 European countries.
• Vodafone: Provides monthly customers with exclusive discounts on additional phones, tablets, SIM-only plans, or mobile broadband plans. Their Global Roaming feature offers stress-free roaming in 152 countries, including 5G connectivity in some destinations.
• Mint Mobile: Affordable plans with reliable coverage and data speeds.
• Cricket Wireless: Budget-friendly rates with reliable nationwide coverage.
• Ting: Flexible pay-as-you-go approach, allowing you to pay only for what you use.

When choosing a phone plan, consider your specific needs, such as global coverage, contract flexibility, and multilingual customer support. Compare different plans and take advantage of promotional periods and bundle services to maximize your savings.

International student phone plans with global coverage

International students can benefit from various phone plans with global coverage, depending on their needs and budgets. Here are some options to consider:

Verizon Wireless:

Verizon offers extensive global coverage in over 220 countries, making it a convenient choice for international students. Their TravelPass feature allows users to access their domestic plan's data, talk, and text while abroad for a fixed daily fee. Verizon also owns Visible, which offers the Visible Plus plan with unlimited data and access to high-speed 5G. Visible Plus customers can enjoy one free Global Pass day per month, with talk, text, and data available in 140 countries. Verizon provides reduced rates for students with valid IDs, ensuring cost-effectiveness.

AT&T:

AT&T is another reputable provider with comprehensive coverage. Their International Day Pass is ideal for international students, offering access to domestic plan features in over 100 countries for a daily fee. AT&T also provides exclusive deals on data and smartphone plans for eligible students, making it a budget-friendly option. The AT&T Unlimited Premium plan offers a $10 monthly reduction per line, with the option to apply this discount to up to five lines.

T-Mobile:

T-Mobile is well-known for including travel perks with its unlimited plans. They offer the International Student Program, specifically designed for international students without a Social Security Number (SSN). T-Mobile provides flexible prepaid and postpaid options, and their plans cater to students seeking high-speed data during lengthier stays overseas. Their $50 International Pass provides 15GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 30 days. T-Mobile also offers discounted plans for students with valid .edu email addresses, ensuring affordability.

Vodafone:

Vodafone is a strong contender, especially for international students in the USA. Their Global Roaming feature offers stress-free roaming in 152 countries, and the option for 5G connectivity in select destinations ensures a reliable network experience. Vodafone also provides exclusive discounts and weekly treats through their VeryMe Rewards program.

Other Options:

• Mint Mobile: Affordable plans without compromising coverage or data speeds. Overseas travel passes ("Minternational Passes") starting at $5 for a day pass with 1GB of data, 60 minutes of talk time, and 60 texts.
• Cricket Wireless: Budget-friendly rates with reliable nationwide coverage.
• Ting: Flexible pay-as-you-go approach, allowing you to pay only for what you use.
• Google Fi: Free roaming in 200+ countries, providing seamless carrier switching.
• Simple Mobile: Offers plans with international calling and texting, especially to key countries like India, Mexico, Canada, and China.
• Straight Talk: Provides flexibility with no binding contracts and a range of plans to fit different needs.
• FreedomPop: Budget-friendly plans with free phone plans and additional international calling perks, including 100 international minutes to 50+ countries.
• Orange: The Holiday Europe plan is perfect for short-term travels, offering flexibility without long-term commitments.

Student discounts on phone plans from Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless offers student discounts on select unlimited mobile plans and Fios home internet plans. To be eligible for the discount, you must be a college or graduate student enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education, and you must be the account owner or account manager. You can save up to $25 a month on unlimited mobile plans, with $10 off for one line and $25 off for two lines. The discount applies to the following plans: Unlimited Ultimate, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Welcome.

To register for the discount, you must validate your student status with ID.me, Verizon's verification partner. You will need to provide documentation that proves you are actively enrolled in an eligible school. The discount is valid for a maximum of four years, as long as you maintain your active student status and renew your discount every year.

In addition to the student discount, you can also take advantage of Verizon's Mobile + Home Discount, which allows you to save even more when bundling mobile and home internet services. You can also save by adding a new line to your account for a phone, tablet, or other devices you already own.

Verizon Wireless also offers reduced rates on select plans and devices for students with valid IDs. This includes discounts on smartphones, accessories, and other devices. Verizon regularly offers deals and promotions, and many of these offers can be combined with the student discount. It's a good idea to check their website or visit a store to find out about the latest deals and discounts.

Overall, Verizon Wireless provides a range of discounts and deals on mobile plans and devices for students, making it a great option for those looking for budget-friendly options without compromising on quality.

T-Mobile's International Student Program

T-Mobile offers a range of phone plans for international students studying in the US. The company's International Student Program is tailored to meet the unique needs of international students, ensuring they can stay connected with their loved ones back home without breaking the bank.

T-Mobile's phone plans for international students include benefits such as unlimited data and texting in over 210 countries, including the US, Canada, and Mexico. The company's Go5G Next and Go5G Plus plans offer up to 15GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries, after which users get unlimited data at 3G speeds. Additionally, T-Mobile provides exclusive perks, such as discounts from brands like Hilton, Hertz, and Dollar Car Rental, as well as discounted concert tickets and experiences.

To get started, international students can contact T-Mobile's dedicated phone line, 1-844-867-2050, or visit a T-Mobile store with their passport and international student visa.

Vodafone's Global Roaming feature

International students can benefit from various phone plan discounts and special offers from different providers. One such provider is Vodafone, which offers a Global Roaming feature that allows users to roam stress-free in up to 152 countries.

The Global Roaming feature offers both flexibility and reliability. For instance, in some destinations, users can access 5G connectivity, ensuring a fast and dependable network experience. Additionally, Vodafone provides the option to set a spend limit on services not included in the monthly allowance, such as picture messages or international calls, helping users manage their expenses effectively.

To utilise Vodafone's Global Roaming feature, international students can verify their student status and explore the company's website for exclusive discounts. It's worth noting that Vodafone's offerings may vary based on the user's location, as different Vodafone websites cater to specific regions or countries. For instance, Vodafone Australia offers $5 Roaming, allowing users to utilise their eligible phone plans in over 100 destinations for an additional $5 per day.

Overall, Vodafone's Global Roaming feature is a valuable option for international students seeking reliable connectivity across multiple countries. By offering stress-free roaming in numerous destinations, Vodafone ensures that students can stay connected throughout their educational journey, no matter where their studies take them.

Frequently asked questions