Save Big With Academic Discounts

These days, students rely on computers and technology to get their school work done. Unfortunately, the costs of buying laptops, software, printers and computer peripherals can really add up. And, budgets are already strained at back-to-school time.

But, you can get help with the cost of back-to-school computing gear. You can save hundreds on hardware and software. You just need to know where to look!

If your child is going to college, the school's IT department should be your first stop. Some schools enter licensing agreements with software companies. For example, some schools offer full versions of Microsoft Office for free or for a minimal fee.

The next place to check is the school bookstore. University bookstores are no longer limited to text books. Many sell computers and software at steep discounts.

I also recommend checking web sites that specialize in academic software and hardware. Try JourneyEd, Academic Superstore and Gradware. These stores are particularly useful for high school students, as they will have fewer buying sources than college students.

For hardware, be sure to visit manufacturers' web sites. Dell, HP and Apple all have special stores with discounted products for students.

Of course, it pays to comparison shop. Some stores may offer better discounts than others. For example, Apple frequently throws in a free iPod with academic purchases of computers. You probably won't get this if you buy an apple computer from another source.

A full-featured office suite is essential for students. So, Microsoft offers the Home and Student edition of Microsoft Office. At $149USD (Compare Prices), it is less expensive than other versions. But, that doesn't mean you won't find better deals. For example, some college students qualify for Microsoft’s The Ultimate Steal. They’ll get a copy of Office Ultimate with many more features for a fraction of the price. Learn about Microsoft’s Ultimate Steal now!

You may not even need to purchase a copy of Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org offers a fully functional office suite. It rivals Office in terms of features, and works with Office documents. An email client is missing, but you can supplement it with Thunderbird. Learn more about OpenOffice and other free word processing programs here.

Now, a couple of caveats about buying academic software and hardware. Make sure you check with the school and/or academic department before making any purchases. There is very likely a set of minimum requirements and required software. You don't want to make the wrong purchase!

Finally, you will need to prove your status as a student or faculty member. Some stores will contact the school to verify enrollment. Others require a valid .edu email address.