The following resources may help you save money on a student budget. Each one notes whether the discounts are available to the MIT community broadly, to MIT students, or to students in general. We welcome comments or additional resources at oge-comms@mit.edu.
Transportation
Airport stuttles. $15 fee; available by reservation around Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks.
Amtrak. Students 17-24 receive 15% off Amtrak’s regular adult fare for bookings made one day in advance.
Bike upkeep. There are eight bicycle fix-it stations on campus equipped with an air pump and basic hand tools. You can also get help at the MIT Bike Lab.
Bluebikes bicycle rentals/bike share. Students are eligible for a 50% discount.
Community Pedal Power E-bike lending library is a small collection of E-Bikes that can be lent to Cambridge community members for up to a week at a time at zero cost.
E-Bike voucher program provides vouchers to low-and-moderate income residents across Massachusetts to assist in the purchase of an E-Bike.
Grocery shuttles. Free shuttles will take you to Brothers Market, Market Basket, Star Market, Trader Joe’s, or Whole Foods, with several travel options during the week. Shuttles also make it easier to shop at Aldi, Cosco, and Target.
MBTA/public transit pass. MIT subsidizes 50-70% of the cost of MBTA passes for bus, subway, commuter rail, and/or commuter boat for its students.
Zipcar can be accessed by MIT community members at a discounted annual fee.
Food
Bleacher Bar offers a 15% off student discount on food.
Caffè Nero offers 20% off drinks for students using their app.
Chipotle student rewards allow students to earn 1,000 points instantly when they join, and 12 points for every dollar spent.
Good and Cheap Cookbook (PDF) offers easy and nutritious recipes with meals costing no more than $4/day. It’s a fantastic resource for budget-conscious individuals.
Grocery shuttles. Free shuttles will take you to Brothers Market, Market Basket, Star Market, Trader Joe’s, or Whole Foods, with several travel options during the week. Shuttles also make it easier to shop at Aldi, Cosco, and Target.
Loretta’s Last Call offers 50% off appetizers on Mondays through Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m. for students showing their student IDs.
MIT Banana Lounge has free bananas all day, every day. You can find them in 26-110.
Saloniki Greek. Show your student ID for a free order of Greek Fries with a lunch or dinner purchase.
The Families Food Grant is available to families who are having trouble accessing affordable, healthy food options for themselves and their families.
Health & fitness
Central Rock Climbing gym. Members of the MIT Outdoor Club (MITOC) can get a discounted membership at the Central Rock Gym!
Zesiger Center gym membership. All students who have paid the MIT Student Life Fee are automatically eligible; your membership activates after you sign the liability waiver. You can add a family member for $22/month. Group instructional programs include swimming, squash, golf, weightlifting, and special programs for kids. Group exercise classes include yoga, cycling, kickboxing and more.
Other
Backup child care. MIT graduate students can use short-term backup child care for 15 days per fiscal year when regular child care or school arrangements for their child are disrupted.
MIT Graduate Assistance & Information Network (GAIN). Available 24/7, providing confidential support for personalized services and referrals on legal, work/career, parenting, financial, home/daily living, and wellness. GAIN can research government and community resources for you, including utility subsidies & food pantries, and assist with applications. Contact 844-MIT-GAIN (844-648-4246).
Entertainment
American Repertory Theater. Same-day rush tickets may be purchased for $20 with no fees, in-person only at Loeb Drama Center. Student & under-25 tickets available for $30 plus fees.
ArtsEmerson. Up to two day-of rush tickets for $10 each, and up to two advance tickets for $20 each when purchased at the box office.
Boston Ballet. $20 cash-only rush tickets are available for select performances two hours before a show at the Citizens Opera House (one ticket per student). Not available for The Nutcracker. WIC participants may purchase $10 tickets, up to four per household (not available for The Nutcracker).
Boston Symphony Orchestra. BSO student passes available for $35; see website for performance availability and blackout dates.
Hulu offers student plans for just $1.99/ month.
Huntington Theater Company. Student discounts available with promo code DISCOUNT.
Lyric Stage. $20 student tickets; purchase in person at box office.
Movies
- AMC theaters offer student discounts for certain showings in select locations.
- Brattle Theater. Discounted movie tickets for $13.
- Coolidge Corner Theater. Discounted tickets for students for showings Sundays to Thursdays. See website for special events for kids.
Spotify Premium Student offers free access for one month, then $5.99/ month. This offer includes access to Hulu (with ads).
The official Red Sox ticket program for college students offers tickets starting at $9.
Enrichment
4-D Theater at the Museum of Science. MIT undergraduate and graduate students can access the 4-D theater at the Museum of Science at just $4 a ticket. In this theater, what’s on the screen is only half the fun. With effects you can feel (and even smell!) this is one giant leap beyond 3-D. After all, why should your eyes and ears have all the fun? View current showings here.
Boston Children’s Museum. All visitors can visit the Boston Children’s Museum on Sundays 1-4pm for $1/ticket. The MIT community can purchase tickets via MITAC for any day for just $9 a ticket! Please note: After receiving your MITAC ticket, reservations are recommended through BCM’s Ticketing page. Students with EBT cards or WIC can purchase tickets online for $3.
Boston University Judson B. Coit Observatory. BU Coit Observatory Public Open Nights offer free admission for everyone with advance registration most Wednesday evenings.
Cambridge Public Libraries provides free events and classes for children, teens, and adults.
EBT Card to Culture allows individuals on SNAP to access free and discounted admissions to many of the Commonwealth’s museums and cultural institutions.
Harvard Museum of Natural History. Members of the MIT community can visit all four Harvard Museums of Science and Culture at a discounted rate of $8. Guests under 3 are free, and admission is also free to Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning from 9:00am to 12:00pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 5:00pm year-round. Proof of residency required.
Institute of Contemporary Art provides free admission for MIT students, faculty, and staff, and those under 18. Reserve your timed entry ticket through the MITAC site. The public can also enter the ICA free of charge every Thursday evening from 5 pm to 9 pm by reserving tickets in advance.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The Council for the Arts supports free admission for students, faculty, and staff to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Use the promo code “MIT” to make a free advanced reservation online and then be sure to bring your MIT ID with you. Guests of MIT students, faculty, and staff will need their own tickets.
MIT Museum. Free for MIT Students, faculty, staff, alum with ID + one guest! Additional non-MIT guests under the age of 19 or with a student ID can enter for just $10.
New England Aquarium. MIT students can reserve aquarium tickets at a discount using MITAC. Use your MITAC codes to make your reservation ahead of time. Make your reservation online or via phone (617-973-5206). Children under 2 enter for free.
MITAC offers savings on a variety of other museums, performances, tours, and more around the Boston area.
MIT Open Space events calendar is a great spot to find free events, including fitness classes, networking events, clothing swaps, and movie nights.
Museum of Fine Arts. The MFA’s University Membership Program offers free ticketed admission to MIT undergraduate and graduate students with valid ID. Organizational members can obtain same-day general admission and special exhibition tickets by visiting a ticket desk and presenting a valid student ID on the day of their visit. Want to bring kids along? Children under 6 get in for free, and youth 7 to 17 years old enjoy a discounted $14 admission.
Shopping
DealNews has an extensive list of deals to help students save on everything from food and clothing to electronics and entertainment.
The Spot free clothing events at the Cambridge Public Library. Gear up with clothes, accessories, supplies, and more — all for free! First come, first serve.
Student Beans offers student discounts on a variety of online shopping options, including fashion, tech, health & beauty, entertainment, and more.
UNiDAYS is a free digital platform offering discounts and deals to verified students. Savings cover extensive categories from fashion, technology, travel, and food.
