Maple News reports that international students in Canada can benefit from a wide array of discounts and cost-saving programs designed to ease their transition and stretch their budgets. From groceries to tech subscriptions, Canadian retailers and service providers are offering exclusive deals for students enrolled in educational institutions nationwide.
When it comes to groceries, students can enjoy weekly deals at various well-known stores. Food Basics offers a 10% discount every Tuesday for in-store purchases at select locations in Ontario, including cities like Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, and Windsor. Bulk Barn, a popular destination for purchasing food in bulk, provides a 15% discount every Wednesday—applicable to regular-priced items when students show a valid student ID. Additionally, Uber Eats offers a student-priced Uber One membership at just $4.99 per month, which includes $0 delivery fees and 10% off at participating stores.
Students should note that eligibility for these discounts typically requires proof of enrollment, such as a college or university ID or a school-issued email address. Promotions may vary slightly by location and may not apply during specific sales or on gift cards.
Beyond direct discounts, many Canadian retailers offer price-matching programs to help students shop smarter. Stores like No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, and Giant Tiger allow customers to match lower advertised prices from competitors. For instance, Real Canadian Superstore will not only match a competitor’s price on identical or comparable items but even beat it by offering the product at one cent less.
No Frills supports price-matching on select grocery items when customers present a printed or digital copy of a competitor’s flyer during the promotion period. Giant Tiger takes a similar approach and applies the 1¢-less policy for both in-store and online purchases, provided the item is the same in brand, size, and features.
In addition to physical goods, many educational institutions provide students with complimentary or deeply discounted software licenses. This includes tools like Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, or specific engineering and design software—helping learners equip themselves for academic and professional success without the high costs.
Students in provinces across Canada can also explore similar price match programs in regional chains such as Save-On-Foods, Maxi, and IGA. It’s a good practice for students to review each store’s specific price-matching policies, usually available on their websites or in-store, to make the most of these programs.
As Canada remains one of the top destinations for international students, these cost-saving opportunities can make a significant difference during their studies. Maple News encourages students to take full advantage of these deals while staying informed about eligibility requirements and ongoing changes.
By applying these financial tips and tapping into available resources, international students can better manage day-to-day expenses and focus more on their academic and professional journey in Canada.