HBO Max Student Discount

About Max Student Discount

Max (formerly HBO Max) offers a student discount in the US. Students get 50% off the Basic with Ads plan - $5.49/month instead of $10.99. You verify through UNiDAYS, good for 12 months, then re-verify annually.

Same content as regular subscribers: HBO shows, Warner Bros. movies, DC stuff, Max Originals. Just cheaper if you’re in college.

What You Get

Student discount = Basic with Ads plan at half price. Here’s what’s included:

• HBO originals (Game of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us, etc.)
• Warner Bros. movies
• DC content (The Batman, Justice League, DC shows)
• Max Originals exclusive to the platform
• Stream on up to 2 devices at once
• Download for offline watching

What you don’t get:

• Can’t remove ads (need the Ad-Free plan, no student discount)
• No 4K streaming (Ad-Free plan only)
• Only 2 streams instead of 3

For $5.49/month with ads vs $16.99/month ad-free, most students deal with the ads.

Who Qualifies

Need to be:

• Student at an accredited US college/university
• Can verify through UNiDAYS
• 18+ years old

US only. Not available in other countries yet.

Pricing

Student plan: $5.49/month (Basic with Ads) Regular price: $10.99/month

Save $5.50/month, about $66/year.

Other Max plans (no student discount):

• Ad-Free: $16.99/month (no ads, 4K, 3 streams)
• Ultimate Ad-Free: $20.99/month (4K, Dolby Atmos, 4 streams)

How to Sign Up

1. Go to hbomax.com/student
2. Click “Verify Student Status” or similar button
3. UNiDAYS verification - enter school name, email, birthdate
4. If .edu email doesn’t auto-verify, upload student ID or transcript
5. Once verified, create Max account and add payment
6. Start watching

Already have Max? You can switch to student pricing after verification. Your billing will change to $5.49 next cycle.

Re-verification

Re-verify every 12 months to keep the discount. Max emails you when it’s time.

Time limit: Can use student pricing as long as you’re enrolled and can verify. No hard maximum like Spotify’s 4-year cap.

Miss verification? Your plan auto-upgrades to regular Basic with Ads at $10.99/month.

When you graduate, discount stays active until next verification date. Doesn’t end the day you finish school.

What’s Included

HBO Content:

• All HBO shows (current and past)
• HBO documentaries and specials
• HBO Max exclusives

Movies:

• Warner Bros. library
• Some theatrical releases (timing varies)
• Classic films

DC Universe:

• DC movies (The Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman)
• DC shows (Peacemaker, The Penguin)
• Animated DC content

Other:

• Max Originals
• Cartoon Network shows
• Adult Swim content
• Studio Ghibli films

Basic with Ads vs Ad-Free

Basic with Ads (Student: $5.49, Regular: $10.99):

• Ads during shows/movies
• 1080p streaming
• 2 simultaneous streams
• Downloads available

Ad-Free ($16.99, no student discount):

• No ads
• 4K Ultra HD streaming
• 3 simultaneous streams
• Downloads available

Is the ad version worth it? Ads are typical streaming ads - 1-2 minute breaks. For $5.49 vs $16.99, most students put up with them.

Things to Know

• US only
• Verify through UNiDAYS annually
• Applies to Basic with Ads plan only
• Can’t upgrade to Ad-Free and keep student price
• Cancel anytime, keep access till billing cycle ends
• No free trial for student plan - starts at $5.49 immediately

Max vs Other Streaming Services

Max vs Netflix: Netflix doesn’t have a student discount. Their cheapest ad plan is $6.99/month. Max student plan at $5.49 is cheaper and has HBO content.

Max vs Hulu: Hulu student is $1.99/month (cheaper), but different content. Hulu focuses on current TV shows, Max has HBO originals and movies.

Max vs Spotify + Hulu bundle: Spotify student bundle ($5.99) includes Hulu but not Max. If you want HBO content, you’d need Max separately.

Worth It?

Get it if:

• You watch HBO shows
• You like DC movies/shows
• $5.49/month fits your budget
• Ads don’t bother you
• US student

Skip if:

• You hate ads (no student discount for ad-free)
• You rarely watch HBO/Warner content
• You’re on someone’s family plan
• Not in the US

$66/year savings for HBO content is decent if you actually use it. If you just want one or two shows, might be cheaper to buy them individually or wait for a free trial.