School ID Savings, a discount website for students, started as a simple idea from 21-year-old Chapman University entrepreneur Jason Cunnigham to accommodate college students as well as local communities with a website that lists local student discounts.
Currently, School ID Savings has signed up businesses in Chapman University, University of La Verne and Cal State Long Beach areas. Campus representatives have recently been accepted and installed at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, University of California Santa Barbara, Chico State and Gonzaga University in Washington. The businesses that sign up for each school only offer discounts to those students.
Cunningham, a junior international business major at Chapman University, got the idea for the site when he realized the only reason he carried his school ID card was to get a student discount.
“I went online to find where I could get student discounts, but nearly every school that I researched for, there was no place where I can find a list of places with discounts,” Cunningham said. “And I kind of realized that businesses have no way to communicate with local students at all.”
Students have made it clear that School ID Savings has been a huge factor in their choice of which businesses to go to, according to Cunningham.
“There are a few businesses that have listed their student discount exclusively on School ID Savings, and those businesses have seen an increase in traffic and revenue from students,” Cunningham said. “And students love it because they get an affordable meal or clothing due to the student discount provided.”
Right now Cunningham is trying to expand his site by reaching out to businesses and students.
There is only one business, Flame Broiler, signed up in the Long Beach area. The owner also has an Orange County location on the site.
“I have not had any direct communication with students from Long Beach, but since there is not a campus hero at Long Beach I doubt many students have heard about the website,” Cunningham said. “I am looking for someone interested in a paid internship based on commission. They will be able to negotiate with local business owners to sign up for School ID Savings.”
Brian Roh, a freshman art student, thinks this service would be useful for all students, but especially for students who pay for their own tuition.
“I think that it would be great to get student discounts, since school is already expensive enough,” Roh said.
Remy Tan, a senior on a tight budget, said he would definitely use the service if it would save him money.
“I get an allowance from [my] parents, but I only get money when needed, so I have just enough for survival,” Tan said. “I have about $250 per month, and I spend $125 on gas and the other on food and things I need.”
Tan said he can live with what he has, but it is pretty hard because he tries to only spend money on what he needs instead of what he wants.
Tan said he tries to eat at home whenever possible and only goes out with friends once a week.
“With gas prices soaring up tremendously, it would be nice to find some discounts for gas stations,” Tan said. “Also, since I sometimes eat out for lunch, there should be student discounts for restaurants or food places.”