What you get with a WSJ student subscription
The Wall Street Journal offers a reduced-rate subscription for students enrolled full-time at accredited colleges and universities. The subscription gives you access to all WSJ content online — news, analysis, opinion, and the Journal's full archive — plus the print edition if you want it. The price is roughly one-third of the standard digital subscription rate, though the exact amount depends on your school and the current promotion running when you sign up.
You also get access to the WSJ mobile app and can read articles on any device. The subscription does not expire when you graduate; you keep it at the student rate for four years from the date you start, after which it converts to the standard rate unless you cancel.
The student plan does not include the Wall Street Journal's premium newsletters or the Journal's video service beyond what appears in the main news feed. If you need those separately, you would pay additional fees.
Key Takeaways
- Student subscriptions cost roughly one-third of the regular digital rate and require proof of current full-time enrollment at an accredited school.
- You get full access to WSJ.com, the mobile app, and archives, but not premium add-on services like specialized newsletters.
- The subscription lasts four years from signup, then converts to standard pricing unless you cancel before the conversion date.
- You verify your student status through a third-party service (usually SheerID) during signup, not by mailing documents to the Journal.
How to verify your student status
The Wall Street Journal uses a third-party verification service — typically SheerID — to confirm you are a current full-time student. During signup, you enter your name, date of birth, and school name. The verification service checks that information against your school's enrollment records.
If the system finds a match, you are verified when ready and can start your subscription right away. If it does not find a match, you can upload documents manually: a current student ID, a tuition bill or course registration showing the current term, or a letter from your registrar dated within the last 30 days. The manual review usually takes one to two business days.
You do not need to mail anything to the Journal itself. The entire process happens online through the verification service's website.
What counts as an accredited school
The Journal accepts students from schools accredited by regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This includes most four-year universities and community colleges in the United States. It also includes some international schools, though the list varies.
If you are unsure whether your school qualifies, enter your school name during the verification step. The system will tell you whether it is in the database. If your school is not listed, you can still try the manual document upload — some schools are in the system but not searchable by name, and the manual review may catch it.
Pricing and how long the rate lasts
Student subscription rates vary by promotion and by region. As of the most recent information, the student rate is typically between $4 and $6 per month, compared to roughly $15 to $20 per month for a standard digital subscription. The Journal runs different promotions at different times of year, so the exact price when you sign up may differ from what a friend paid.
Once you start a student subscription, you keep that rate for four years. After four years, your subscription automatically converts to the standard rate unless you cancel before the conversion date. The Journal typically sends you a notice a few weeks before the conversion happens, giving you time to decide whether to continue at the higher rate or cancel.
If you cancel and later want to resubscribe as a student, you would need to verify your status again. You cannot use the same subscription account twice under the student rate.
What happens after graduation
Your student rate continues for four years even if you graduate before that time is up. You do not need to do anything — the subscription does not check your enrollment status after the initial verification. If you graduate in year two, you still have two more years at the student rate.
When the four-year period ends, the Journal converts your subscription to the standard rate automatically. You will receive an email notice before this happens. At that point, you can either pay the higher rate, cancel, or look for other subscription options.
If you want to cancel before the conversion, you can do so through your account settings on WSJ.com. There is no penalty for canceling early.
Common issues during signup
The most common problem is a mismatch between the name you enter and the name in your school's enrollment system. If you go by a nickname or middle name but your school has you registered under your full legal name, the automatic verification may fail. The manual document upload will catch this — just make sure the name on your student ID or tuition bill matches what you entered.
Another frequent issue is entering an old or incorrect school name. If you transferred schools, make sure you enter the school where you are currently enrolled, not your previous one. The system checks current enrollment only.
If you are a part-time student, you do not meet the requirements — the Journal requires full-time enrollment. Some schools define full-time as 12 credit hours per term; others use different thresholds. Check your school's definition if you are unsure whether you may have access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my student subscription with family or roommates?
The subscription is for your personal use only. Sharing login credentials violates the Journal's terms of service. Each person who wants access needs their own subscription. Family members may be able to purchase a standard subscription or look for household plans if the Journal offers them.
What if I drop out or take a semester off?
If you are no longer enrolled full-time, you no longer meet the requirements for the student rate. However, the Journal does not re-verify your status after signup, so your subscription will continue to work. If you want to be compliant with the terms, you should cancel and resubscribe at the standard rate, or wait until you re-enroll to restart a student subscription.
Can I get a refund if I signed up but did not use it?
Refund policies vary depending on how long you have had the subscription and your location. Most subscriptions have a short window (typically 14 days) for refunds if you have not used the service. Contact the Journal's customer service through your account to ask about your specific situation.
Does the student rate include the print edition?
The base student subscription is digital only. Print editions are available as an add-on for an additional fee. Some promotions bundle print and digital together at a student rate, so check what is included in the offer you see during signup.
What if my school is not in the verification system?
Use the manual document upload option. You can submit a current student ID, a tuition bill, or a registrar's letter dated within the last 30 days. The manual review takes one to two business days. If your school still is not accepted after that, contact the Journal's customer service — some schools have special arrangements.