Military and Student Discounts for College Grads
Earning a degree is a big achievement for anyone, but for those balancing their military service with the demands of a classroom, graduation carries a different weight.
Whether you are transitioning out of the military or a veteran finally getting your degree, you’ll face a unique set of logistical hurdles. From coordinating travel for a spread-out family to finding a suit that fits your new civilian life, the costs of the milestone can stack up quickly.
The good news is that many national brands view graduation season as a key time to court both the military and the student populations. Here are some verified discount programs designed to help graduates navigate the transition with less financial strain.
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Wardrobe for the Graduation Ceremony
Cap and Gown Direct
Cap and Gown Direct partnered with GovX to offer a military discount on all graduation regalia, including caps, gowns, and tassels.
The Dessy Group
Provides a student discount on formal dresses and men’s formal wear for graduation balls and ceremonies through Student Beans.
Indochino
Looking for staple pieces for transitioning into a professional civilian wardrobe? Indochino offers $75 off custom suits over $499 when you sign up at Student Beans.
Bonobos
A go-to for ceremony looks, Bonobos offers a SheerID discount for both students and military members.
Allen Edmonds
Students can take 15% off high-end dress shoes via ID.me. Note: They also have a separate 15% military discount if that better fits your purchase.
Brooks Brothers
Perfect for high-quality suits and professional wear, Brooks Brothers offers a percent military discount via ID.me.
Travel and Hosting for Family Members
American Forces Travel
Grads with military status can save up to 50% on hotels and access exclusive rates on flights and rental cars for graduation weekend.
United Airlines
Offers a 5% discount for travelers aged 18–23.
Amtrak
Active-duty personnel and their families receive 10% off the lowest available fares.
Hotels.com
Students get an extra 10% off, while military members can also access a 8% discount via ID.me.
Expedia.com
Expedia offers discounts on hotel bookings for students and military members through verification platforms like Student Beans and ID.me. These savings can often be stacked with Member Prices.
Graduation Rebates
Toyota
Toyota offers a $500 rebate for recent and upcoming grads. They also offer a separate $500 military rebate; check with your dealer to see if you can stack these for a $1,000 total incentive.
Nissan
Their College Grad Program offers $500 cash back. Note: This program usually cannot be combined with their military program, so choose the one with the better current localized incentive.
Ford
Provides a cash reward for college students and recent grads. They also offer a Military Appreciation cash offer.
Tesla
Tesla also offers a specialized incentive for “everyday American heroes,” including verified military members and students. To claim the discount, you must verify your status through ID.me.
BMW
Offers $500 to $5,000 toward a new lease or purchase for military members and veterans.
Moving and Essentials After College
Budget Truck Rental
If you’re moving post-graduation and you’re a military member, enter code USMIO for a 20% discount on a truck rental.
Penske
Active-duty and veterans receive a 15% discount on all truck rentals when they use the code MILITARY.
U-Pack
U-Pack offers dedicated moving discounts for both active-duty service members and veterans. Active-duty personnel can use promo code DITY10 for a $100 discount, while veterans can save $50 on their move using code MIL50.
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About the author
Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
Michelle Nati is a contributing writer to CollegeRecon who has written about higher education and finance for Granita Media/Big Edition site Work and Money. She's also written law content for Leaf Group's Legal Beagle site and is a ghostwriter of non-fiction books. She lives in Los Angeles and spends her spare time combing flea markets for vintage photos and decor and playing with her dogs, Jellybean and Jukebox.
