Explanation of Getting an Educational Discount on Software. Also refer to students, teachers, instructors, professors, school, classes, textbooks, classroom instruction, application, requirements, accredited, faculty ID, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Getting an Educational Discount on Software
by Ron Kurtus (revised 21 June 2007)
Teachers and instructors may require their students to purchase various software applications for completing assignments and projects. The teachers should also have that software, so that they are familiar with what the students are doing. But also, instructors may need other applications to do their work. To ease the financial burden, students and faculty can purchase many software titles at an educational discount.
Questions you may have include:
- Why type of software is required?
- What sort of requirements are there to get this software?
- Where can I purchase software at this discount?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Typical software
Software required of students, as well as used by instructors, can run cover a wide range. The most obvious is a word processor, such as Microsoft Word. Teachers of graphic arts course may expect their students to buy Adobe PhotoShop. Advanced statistics teachers may need the SPSS graduate statistics pack.
Most of the required software is fairly expensive, so a 75% discount offered by educational software retailers would help out.
Requirements
Requirements for getting educational discounts on software that you must be a qualified student, faculty member or staff member form an accredited institution. You need to provide proof of your academic status when placing an order. This is usually done by sending a copy of your academic ID to the software distributor.
Typical acceptable proofs are:
- Dated student or faculty ID card
- Current class schedule
- Letter from school on school letterhead
- Registration form
Some require one of the above, while others require two proofs.
Sources
Following is a list of some of the companies that specialize in selling software to schools, faculty and students. The best bet is to check them out to see which best fits your needs. Also, make sure the discount is more than you can get through your usual sources.
Recommended
Our top recommended resource for educational discounts is JourneyEd. They seem quite reliable and have a good selection of titles.
There are numerous other distributors. Some have good selections and some have tight restrictions on who can buy from them.
If you have another source to recommend, let me know about it.
Not recommended
Note that you may have received email that advertises software at extremely low prices, with no requirements or restrictions. This is usually unauthorized copies of common software applications. Often they are distributed from foreign countries. It is not a good idea to buy this software, even though the prices are below the educational discount price. They software may be incomplete, may be infected with a virus, and you may get in trouble for using it.
We recommend that you do not purchase that software.
Summary
Teachers often require their students to purchase various software applications for their course. Both the instructors and students can purchase expensive software from places that offer educational discounts. Proof of employment or student status is required to get the discount.
To be a champion, take advantage of your opportunities
Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Top-rated books on Teaching Methods
Top-rated books on Learning Theory
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. Why would an accounting teacher require a student to purchase spreadsheet software?
2. How do these companies determine if you are a teacher?
3. How much of a discount is possible?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Educational Development. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Getting an Educational Discount on Software