Amazon often becomes the first place college students look when they need something quickly.
A forgotten charger. More laundry detergent. School supplies. Toiletries. A replacement item that suddenly cannot wait until the next trip home.
Amazon Prime for Young Adults may make those orders easier and less expensive for students who shop online regularly.
What Is Prime for Young Adults?
Prime for Young Adults is Amazon’s discounted Prime membership for adults ages 18 through 24 and eligible students.
New members currently receive a six-month trial. After the trial, the membership renews at $7.49 per month or $69 per year unless canceled. That is about half the price of a standard Prime membership.
The program was previously known as Prime Student, so families may still see both names online.
What Is Included?
Members receive the main benefits of a regular Prime membership, including:
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Fast, free delivery on eligible purchases
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Prime Video
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Exclusive deals and shopping events
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Prime Gaming
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Amazon Photos
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Other rotating offers and young-adult benefits
Amazon also currently offers Prime for Young Adults members limited-time cash-back opportunities on eligible product categories. Benefits and promotions can change, so students should check the current offer before joining.
Why It Can Be Helpful in College
Prime can be especially useful for students who live on campus without a car or attend college far from home.
It can help with everyday needs such as:
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Replacement chargers and cables
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Toiletries
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Laundry and cleaning supplies
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School supplies
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Snacks
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Apartment basics
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Travel items
Parents can also order an item and have it sent directly to the student rather than packing and mailing it themselves.
Before ordering, make sure you understand how the residence hall or apartment receives packages. Some colleges use a central mailroom, and students may not receive an item until a day or two after the carrier marks it delivered.
The Entertainment Benefits May Add Value
Prime Video and the other entertainment benefits may make the membership more useful, but only if the student will use them.
Check whether your student already has access to streaming through:
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A family plan
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A phone or internet provider
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Another membership
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A college service
A discounted plan is still an extra expense when the benefits duplicate subscriptions the family already pays for.
Check Your Existing Amazon Setup
Before opening a separate membership, look at how your family currently uses Amazon.
Prime for Young Adults benefits cannot be shared in the same way as benefits from a standard household membership. A student should compare the discounted individual plan with whatever access they already have through the family account.
A separate account may still make sense if the student wants:
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Their own order history
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Their own payment methods
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Purchases delivered to a campus address
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Access to young-adult offers
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Independence from the family account
When It Is Probably Worth It
Prime for Young Adults may be a good value when the student:
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Orders from Amazon regularly
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Lives without easy access to stores
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Uses Prime Video or other included benefits
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Wants a separate Amazon account
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Needs supplies delivered throughout the semester
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Will use enough benefits to justify the renewal price
The six-month trial gives students time to see whether they actually use it before paying for a full year.
When It May Not Be Worth It
The membership may not be necessary when the student:
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Rarely orders online
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Already receives enough benefits through the family
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Has convenient access to local stores
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Mostly shops through Walmart, Target or another retailer
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Will forget to cancel before the paid membership begins
Add a calendar reminder before the free trial ends. Amazon states that the membership automatically renews at the discounted rate unless it is canceled.
For a student who orders regularly and does not have easy transportation, Prime for Young Adults can be a useful college membership. For an occasional shopper, the free trial may be enough to learn that another option fits better.