HBO Max Student Discount
Complete guide to Max student discount: $5.49/month Basic with Ads. UNiDAYS verification, content (HBO, Warner Bros, DC, Max Originals), comparisons, worth it.
HBO Max Student Discount (Max Student Discount)
The HBO Max Student Discount is basically this: 50% off the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan in the US.
You pay $5.49/month instead of $10.99/month. You verify through UNiDAYS.
It renews monthly, and the student rate lasts up to 12 months at a time (then you gotta re-verify).
Nothing is “student-only” content wise. It’s the same Max library. You’re just paying less.
Quick Facts
HBO Max splits it into HBO Max Bundles and HBO Max Plans on their site.
HBO Max Bundles (Disney+ + Hulu)
This is the Disney+/Hulu bundle that includes HBO Max. Links if you wanna compare content: Disney+ and Hulu.
| Bundle | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| With Ads | $19.99/mo | HBO Max Basic With Ads、Disney+ Basic、Hulu (With Ads) |
| No Ads | $32.99/mo | HBO Max Standard、Disney+ Premium、Hulu (No Ads) |
HBO Max Plans
| Plan | Price | Ads | Video | Streams | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic With Ads | $10.99/mo (or $109.99/yr) | ✓ | Full HD | 2 | ✗ |
| Standard | $18.49/mo (or $184.99/yr) | ✗ | Full HD | 2 | 30 |
| Premium | $22.99/mo (or $229.99/yr) | ✗ | 4K (as available) | 4 (2 for sports) | 100 |
Student discount sits on top of this:
| Student deal | Price | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| HBO Max Student Discount | $5.49/mo | Basic With Ads |
Savings: $5.50/month (about $66/year).
What You Get
The HBO Max Student Discount is the HBO Max Basic With Ads monthly plan. Same plan as regular Basic With Ads. Just half price.
- 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 2 devices at once
What you don’t get:
- No way to remove ads (Ad-Free has no student price)
- No 4K tier (that’s on Premium)
- No 3rd stream (student plan is 2)
If you’re comparing: $5.49 with ads vs $16.99 no ads. Most students just take the ads.
Who Qualifies
Need to be:
- 18+ years old
- Student at a U.S. accredited college/university
- Can verify through UNiDAYS
Also: the official terms call out HBO Max direct-billed subscribers. If you pay through Apple/Google/Amazon/your cable bundle, this might not apply.
US only.
Pricing
Student plan: $5.49/month (Basic With Ads) Regular Basic With Ads: $10.99/month
Save $5.50/month, about $66/year.
Other Max plans (no student discount):
- Standard: $18.49/month (Full HD, 2 streams, 30 downloads)
- Premium: $22.99/month (4K as available, 4 streams, 100 downloads)
How to Sign Up
Official flow is basically 3 steps:
- Go to https://www.hbomax.com/student and click Get the Deal
- Verify on UNiDAYS (make a UNiDAYS account if you don’t have one)
- Get your discount code, then go back to HBO Max to redeem and start streaming
If verification doesn’t go through automatically, UNiDAYS may ask for extra proof.
Already have an HBO Max account? The official page says you may be able to get the student discount too — you still go through Get the Deal and UNiDAYS, then redeem the code.
Re-verification
Re-verify every 12 months to keep the discount.
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 Actually On Max
People search “HBO Max Student Discount” because they want HBO shows. You’ll get those, but Max is bigger than just HBO.
- HBO: current + past series, docs, specials
- Warner Bros. movies: big library, plus rotating new stuff
- DC: movies + shows + animation
- Other: Max Originals, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Studio Ghibli
Basic With Ads vs Standard vs Premium
Basic With Ads (Student: $5.49, Regular: $10.99):
- Ads during shows/movies
- 1080p streaming
- 2 simultaneous streams
- No downloads
Standard ($18.49, no student discount):
- No ads* (ads may still show on some live/linear stuff)
- Full HD
- 2 simultaneous streams
- 30 downloads
Premium ($22.99, no student discount):
- No ads* (same live/linear caveat)
- 4K Ultra HD (as available)
- 4 simultaneous streams (only 2 for sports)
- 100 downloads
Is the ad version worth it? Ads are typical streaming ads. For $5.49 vs $18.49, most students just take the ads.
Things to Know
- Direct-billed only: Official terms say the student discount is for HBO Max direct-billed subscribers. If you pay through Apple/Google/Amazon/cable/bundles, you may need to cancel that and subscribe directly on HBO Max to use the deal.
- 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 is decent if you actually watch Max. If you’re only here for one show, buying the season (or just subscribing for a month) can be the cheaper move.
Features
- HBO originals (Game of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us)
- Warner Bros. movies and library
- DC movies and shows
- Max Originals exclusive content
- Stream on 2 devices simultaneously
- Download for offline viewing
- 1080p HD streaming
Requirements
- Enrolled at accredited US college/university
- Verify through UNiDAYS
- 18+ years old
- US only
How to Apply
Visit Max Student Page
Go to hbomax.com/student and click 'Verify Student Status' to begin.
Verify Through UNiDAYS
Enter school name, email, and birthdate. Upload student ID or transcript if needed.
Create Max Account
Once verified, create your Max account and add payment information.
Start Streaming
Begin watching at $5.49/month. Re-verify annually to keep the discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is HBO Max student discount?
HBO Max Student Discount is 50% off HBO Max Basic With Ads: $5.49/month instead of $10.99/month (US).
How long does HBO Max student discount verification take?
Sometimes it's instant, sometimes it isn't. If it doesn't pass right away: double-check your school name, try your school email, and follow any UNiDAYS prompts to provide proof. If you're stuck, check the HBO Max Help Center: https://help.hbomax.com/.
Can I upgrade to Standard or Premium and keep the student discount price?
No. The student discount only applies to HBO Max Basic With Ads.
How long can I use the HBO Max student discount?
As long as you're enrolled and can verify annually through UNiDAYS. No hard time limit like some other services.
Can I get the HBO Max student discount if I already subscribe?
Maybe. HBO Max says you may be able to get it. You still go through UNiDAYS and redeem a unique discount code. If you're not direct-billed, you might need to change how you're billed first.
What happens after I graduate from university?
Discount stays active until your next annual verification date. When you can't verify anymore, your plan upgrades to regular Basic with Ads at $10.99/month.
Is HBO Max student discount available outside the US?
No. Currently US only for students at accredited US colleges and universities.
What if UNiDAYS can't verify my student status?
Try this: (1) re-enter your school name and details, (2) use your official school email if you have one, (3) follow UNiDAYS prompts for additional proof if available, (4) start again from the student page to get a fresh code. If it still fails, you're probably not eligible via UNiDAYS right now — check the HBO Max Help Center: https://help.hbomax.com/.
What content is included in HBO Max student discount?
You get the same HBO Max library as regular subscribers: HBO originals, Warner Bros. movies, DC content, Max Originals, and more.