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The Pulse 2004 student discount guide

September 2004 - By Taryn Plumb It’s back to school time. And like most college students, you’re a little low on cash. So you want to know where to get the best deals. Here’s a list of some Worcester-area institutions, restaurants and businesses that offer discounts for college students. Just don’t forget to bring your school ID — it must be shown to receive discount offers.

(Author’s note: Compiling this list was nothing short of a daunting task. When contacted for this article, many Worcester-area establishments laughed at the idea of offering discounts to college students. If you are a business or restaurant that offers discounts to college students – or if you know of one – please let us know sashapulsemag@yahoo.com).

Local Attractions

The EcoTarium – $6.00 for full-time students. 222 Harrington Way, Worcester; (508) 791-9211. www.ecotarium.org

Fitchburg Art Museum – Free for full-time students. 185 Elm Street, Fitchburg; (978) 345-4207. fitchburgartmuseum.org

Fruitlands Museum – $8.00 for full-time students. 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard; (978) 456-3824. www.fruitlands.org

Music Worcester — $18 for advance tickets, $15 for rush tickets at the box office one hour before the concert begins. 323 Main Street; (508) 754-3231. www.musicworcester.org

Willard House and Clock Museum — $3.00 for full-time students. 11 Willard Street, Grafton; (508) 839-3500. www.nawcc.org

Worcester Art Museum — $6 for full-time students. 55 Salisbury Street; (508) 799-4406. www.worcesterart.org

Worcester Historical Museum — Free for ages 18 and under, as well as students of Assumption College, Becker College and the College of the Holy Cross. 30 Elm Street, Worcester; (508) 753-8278. www.worcesterhistory.org

Worcester Ice Cats — Keep a look-out for themed “College Nights,” when you and a group of friends can get in at a discount price. 105 Commercial Street, Worcester;

1-800-830-CATS. www.worcestericecats.com

Restaurants

The Boynton — 10% off meal purchases. 117 Highland Street, Worcester; (508) 756-8458.

Café Espresso at Borders Books — Look out for “Student Appreciation Weekends” twice a year, when you can receive discounts on books, food and general merchandise. 476 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury; (508) 845-8665.

Surya Indian Cuisine — 15% off meal purchases. 299 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester; (508) 755-3700.

Tanning/ Beauty Salons

Adesso Beauty Spa — 20% off for full-time students. 108 June Street, Worcester; (508) 757-7977.

Arizona Sun Club — 10% off packages for full-time students, no discount on walk-ins. 146 Highland Street, Worcester; (508) 438-1440.

EZ Tan — 10% off for full-time students. 482 Southbridge Street, Auburn; (508) 832-2993.

Indian Summer Tanning Spa — 10% off packages for students; get a free tan, lotion and goggles on your first visit. 1285 Pleasant Street, Worcester; (508) 756-9400.

The Strand Hair Studio — No set student discount, but staff members are willing to negotiate prices with the penny-pinching collegiate. 636 Sunderland Road, Worcester; (508) 755-3706.

Sun City — 10% off for full-time students. 846 West Boylston Street, Worcester; (508) 852-0900.

Body Art

Miraculous Creations — 10% off for full-time students. 458 Park Ave, Worcester; (508) 755-1379. www.miraculouscreations.com

Zaza Ink — 10% off for full-time students. 287 West Boylston Street, West Boylston; (508) 835-6559.

Health Clubs

Bally Total Fitness — 4 month membership offered to full-time students between the ages of 18 and 23. $144 gets you access to over 400 Bally Total Fitness Clubs; $236 gets you access to Bally Sports Clubs, as well as Bally Total Fitness Clubs nationwide. 535 Lincoln Street, Worcester; (508) 854-2100. www.ballyfitness.com

Guaranteed Fitness Center — $125 (and no processing fees) for a 3 month student membership. 107 North Spencer Road, Spencer; (508) 885-3686.

The Student Advantage Discount Card

Another great way to get savings is with The Student Advantage Discount Card. It saves full-time students hundreds of dollars and up to 50% off in discounts at more than 15,000 locations across the country.

Call 1-877-2JOINUSA, visit www.studentadvantage.com or contact the world headquarters in Boston: 280 Summer Street, 02210; (617) 912-2011.

The cost for the card is $20 plus $2.50 shipping and handling for one year; $60 plus $2.50 shipping and handling for four.

Here are just a few discounts you’ll receive with the Student Advantage Discount Card –

Amtrak — 15% on all rail fares.

Appalachian Mountain Club – 20% off new memberships.

Art.com —15% off posters and prints.

Barnesandnoble.com – 5% off all purchases and $10 off purchases of $99 or more.

Cambridge Soundworks — 15% off all purchases; 20% off any Cambridge SoundWorks Multimedia Speaker System.

Flowers.com — 10-15% on all purchases.

Magazineline.com —Reduced subscriptions to Maxim and Cosmo.

Microsoft — $10/ $15 off Microsoft Office 2003 Pro; $10 off purchases over $99.

Pearle Vision Express – 10% off contact lenses; 20% off non-prescription sunglasses; 25% off prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Prepaidstore.com — Free 40 minute calling card.

Timberland.com — Free shipping and 15% off all orders.

Urbanoutfitters.com — 15% off all purchases.

Check online for hundreds of other Boston-area locations that accept the Student Advantage Card, including Burger King, Champs and D’Angelos Sandwich Shops.