What a New York Times Student Subscription Includes
A New York Times Student subscription gives you full access to the Times' website and apps for a reduced price compared to a standard digital subscription. You get the same content as a regular subscriber: all news articles, opinion pieces, the crossword puzzle, cooking recipes, and the games section. The main difference is the cost — student pricing is significantly lower, and the subscription lasts for four years from the date you start it.
The subscription works on any device where you can access the Times: your phone, tablet, or computer. You log in with the email address you used to set up the account, and your access follows you across all those devices. There is no print edition included with a student subscription — only digital access.
Key Takeaways
- A New York Times Student subscription costs less than half the price of a regular digital subscription and lasts for four years.
- You must be a current student at an accredited college or university and have a valid .edu email address to set up a student subscription.
- You can start a student subscription directly through the Times' website using your school email, and the verification happens automatically in most cases.
- If your school email does not work or you graduate before four years pass, you can convert to a regular subscription at the standard rate.
- The subscription includes full digital access to all Times content, the crossword, games, and recipes, but not the print newspaper.
How to Start a Student Subscription
Go to nytimes.com/student and click the button to start your subscription. You will be asked to enter your school email address — the one that ends in .edu. The Times uses this to verify that you are currently enrolled. In most cases, the verification is when ready, and you can start reading right away.
After you verify your email, you will create a password and choose your payment method. The Times accepts credit cards and debit cards. You will be charged the student rate when ready, and your four-year subscription period begins on that date. You will receive a confirmation email with your account details.
If your school email does not verify automatically, the Times may ask you to upload proof of enrollment — usually a student ID, a class schedule, or a tuition bill with your name and the current semester on it. Upload the document through the link in your account, and the Times will review it within a few business days.
What Happens When Your Student Subscription Ends
Your four-year student subscription will end on the same date it began, four years later. About two weeks before that date, the Times will send you an email letting you know your subscription is about to expire. At that point, you have two choices: you can let it expire and lose access, or you can convert to a regular digital subscription.
If you convert to a regular subscription, you will be charged the full digital subscription rate, which is higher than the student rate. The Times does not automatically convert you — you have to choose to continue. If you do nothing, your access will stop when the four years are up.
Some readers choose to let their subscription lapse and then restart it later if they want to. There is no penalty for letting it expire, and you can always sign up for a regular subscription whenever you want.
Verifying Your Student Status
The Times verifies your student status using your school email address. If your school uses a standard .edu domain, the verification usually happens when ready when you enter your email. The Times has a list of accredited colleges and universities whose email domains it recognizes, and most schools are on that list.
If your school is not on the list or if your email does not verify automatically, you will need to upload proof of enrollment. Acceptable documents include a current student ID, a class schedule or course registration showing the current semester, a tuition bill, or a letter from your school's registrar. The document must show your name and the current academic term. Upload it through your account settings, and the Times will review it within a few business days.
Once you are verified, you do not need to verify again during your four-year subscription. The Times does not check your enrollment status each semester — verification happens once at signup.
Using Your Subscription Across Devices
Your New York Times subscription works on the Times' website and on the official New York Times apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android. Log in with the email address and password you created when you started your subscription. Once you are logged in on a device, you stay logged in until you manually sign out.
You can be logged in on multiple devices at the same time. For example, you can read on your phone in the morning and on your laptop in the afternoon without signing out and back in. The Times does not limit the number of devices you can use, but your account is for your personal use only — sharing your login with others violates the Times' terms of service.
If you forget your password, go to nytimes.com and click "Sign In," then click "Forgot Password." The Times will send a reset link to the email address associated with your account. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log back in.
Pausing or Canceling Your Subscription
You can pause your New York Times subscription for up to four weeks without losing your account or your subscription time. To pause, go to your account settings, find the subscription section, and select the pause option. Choose how long you want to pause (up to 28 days), and your subscription will resume automatically after that period ends. You will not be charged while your subscription is paused.
If you want to cancel instead of pausing, you can do that through your account settings as well. Canceling ends your subscription when ready, and you lose access to the Times. If you cancel before your four years are up, you do not get a refund for the unused time. You can restart a subscription later if you change your mind, but you would be starting a new subscription period, not resuming the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a non-school email address for a student subscription?
No. The Times requires a valid .edu email address from an accredited college or university. If you do not have a school email or yours has expired, you cannot start a student subscription. You would need to sign up for a regular digital subscription instead.
What if I graduate before my four years are up?
Your subscription continues until the four-year period ends, even after you graduate. You do not lose access when you graduate. When the four years are up, you can convert to a regular subscription if you want to keep reading.
Can I share my student subscription with a roommate or family member?
No. Your subscription is for your personal use only. Sharing your login credentials with someone else violates the Times' terms of service. Each person who wants access needs their own subscription.
Does the student subscription include the New York Times Games app?
Yes. The crossword puzzle, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and other games are included with your student subscription. You access them through the main Times website or app — there is no separate Games app purchase needed.
What if my school email stops working after I graduate?
Your subscription will continue to work even if your school email becomes inactive. You set up your account with your school email, but once it is verified, the Times does not check it again. You can keep using your subscription with the password you created, regardless of whether your school email still exists.