Best Student Phone Plans 2025: SIM-Only Deals & Cheap Mobile Options [2025]

Finding the Right Phone Plan as a Student [2025]

Let's be real: student budgets are tight. Between tuition, rent, textbooks, and actually eating decent meals, the last thing you want is a bloated phone bill eating another chunk of your monthly income. But here's the thing—you still need reliable mobile service. Lectures move online, group chats happen constantly, and video calls with family back home are non-negotiable.

The good news? The mobile phone market has finally caught up to how students actually use their phones. Gone are the days when you had to choose between unlimited data and an affordable price. Today's student-focused plans and SIM-only deals offer genuinely competitive value. You're getting more data for less money, the freedom to switch providers without being locked into a two-year contract, and flexibility that actually matches real life—because sometimes you need to pause your plan during summer break.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about finding the best phone plan as a student. We'll walk through what actually matters in a plan, decode the marketing speak that carriers use, and show you exactly where to find deals that won't leave your wallet empty. Whether you're looking for a SIM-only plan you can pop into an existing phone, or you need a completely new setup, we've got the strategies to make it work.

The beauty of student plans right now is that they're genuinely competitive. Carriers know students are brand-loyal—if you sign up with them at 18, there's a decent chance you'll stick around. So they're actually willing to offer real value to earn your business. That translates into extra data, discounted rates, and special promotions that you won't find if you just sign up as a regular customer.

One more thing worth knowing: the cell phone market varies significantly by region. What works in the UK might not be available in North America, and vice versa. This guide focuses on understanding the strategies and principles that work anywhere, plus specific standouts in different markets. By the end, you'll have a clear framework for evaluating any plan and finding the absolute best deal for your situation.

TL; DR

• Student-focused plans offer 5x data bonuses and first-month-free promotions, saving you £50-150 annually. According to a CNBC report, these savings can significantly impact a student's budget.
• SIM-only plans are 30-40% cheaper than bundled phone contracts with the same data allowances, as highlighted by CNET's analysis of phone plans.
• Compare at least 3 carriers before deciding—plans change every 2-3 months and the best deal today might not be best next month, as noted in Wired's prepaid phone plan guide.
• Verify student discount eligibility before purchasing; most require valid student email or Student Beans verification, as explained by BestColleges.
• Check network coverage in your specific area before switching; cheaper doesn't matter if you have no signal, as emphasized by CNET's unlimited data plan review.

Most students use 10-30GB monthly, but heavy users may need up to 50GB. Estimated data based on typical student activities.

Why Student Plans Actually Matter (Beyond Just Price)

You might think all phone plans are basically the same—you get X amount of data, Y minutes of calls, and a bill at the end of the month. And technically, sure, that's what you're buying. But student plans are designed around how students actually use phones, not how marketing departments think they do.

Here's what's different. Most standard plans assume you're a stable adult with a stable job and stable address. They lock you into two-year contracts and charge you hundreds if you want out early. They assume you use your phone the same way every month—same data usage, same call patterns, same everything. Student plans acknowledge reality: you move between dorm rooms and home. Your internet access varies wildly depending on campus Wi Fi quality. Your data needs spike during exam season when you're researching everything, then drop during summer break.

The financial impact of getting a student plan versus a standard plan is genuinely significant. We're not talking about saving five quid a month. If you're in the UK and comparing a student plan with 5x data bonus to a standard equivalent, you could save anywhere from £50 to £150 per year. That's real money for a student. That's three meals, or textbooks, or actually doing something fun on the weekend.

Beyond just the money, student plans offer flexibility. Most are month-to-month SIM-only deals, which means you're not locked in. Your circumstances change—maybe you graduate early, maybe you take a gap year and travel, maybe you go back for a second degree. You need the ability to adjust without penalty.

There's also the carrier perks angle. Student-focused carriers often throw in extras that make their plans actually stand out. We're talking free months, priority customer service, student-exclusive discounts at partner retailers, and sometimes even campus ambassador programs that literally pay you to help promote the service. These things matter. The perks alone can sometimes justify choosing one carrier over another, even if the base plan is a few quid more expensive.

Cost and affordability are the most important factors when choosing a student phone plan, followed by data allowance and coverage. (Estimated data)

How to Evaluate Phone Plans Like You Actually Know What You're Doing

When you're comparing plans, most carriers want you focusing on the headline number—"50GB! Only £15/month!" But that's not how to evaluate whether a plan is actually good for you. You need a framework.

Start with data. This is the most important variable for students, because it usually costs the most. Here's the thing though: you probably use less than you think, especially if you're on campus where there's Wi Fi. A genuinely honest assessment of your data usage is worth about two hours of research. Download your carrier's app (even before you're a customer—most let you check sample usage), look at a few months of actual data, and use that as your baseline.

Data categories matter too. Some plans distinguish between "standard data" and "social media data." Some give you unlimited social media access even when you're out of standard data. This matters a ton because social media is often where you're burning through data without realizing it. Instagram, Tik Tok, Snapchat—these are data hogs. If you've got unlimited social data, your actual day-to-day experience is way different than if you're constantly watching your general data.

Next, look at the network. This is where people really mess up. They choose a plan because it's £3 cheaper, then discover the network doesn't work in their area. That three quid difference means nothing if you have no signal. Before you switch, run a proper coverage check. Most carriers have maps on their websites. But they're often optimistic. Better approach: ask some students already on that network if it works in your area. Real human experience beats marketing maps every time.

Then, contract terms. This is huge. Month-to-month is almost always better than a two-year contract. Yes, sometimes two-year contracts are slightly cheaper on paper. But you're trading flexibility for savings. As a student, your life situation changes. You might study abroad. You might move somewhere with better coverage. You might graduate and move for work. Being locked in for two years is genuinely constraining.

Finally, customer service. This sounds boring but it absolutely matters. If something goes wrong with your phone service—you lose signal, your bill is wrong, you have questions about your plan—you need to be able to actually reach someone. Good carriers have multiple ways to get help: chat, phone, email, in-store. Bad carriers make you jump through hoops and then route you to an automated system anyway.

SIM-Only Plans: Why They're Usually the Smart Play

Let me be blunt: most of the time, SIM-only plans are objectively better for students than bundled phone contracts. And the gap is pretty significant.

Here's the math. A bundled contract gives you a phone plus service in one package. Sounds convenient. The carrier subsidizes the phone cost and spreads it across your monthly bill. So your bill looks like £45/month, and you think you're getting a great deal on the phone. But you're not. You're paying the full price of the phone—typically £600-1200—just spread out over 24 months with interest baked in.

A SIM-only plan, by contrast, is just the service. You buy (or already have) a phone separately. A SIM-only plan with 50GB of data might be £15/month. That same data on a bundled contract with a mid-range phone? Probably £45/month or more.

Over 24 months, the bundled contract costs you £1,080. The SIM-only plan costs £360. You just saved £720. And that's before you factor in that you probably don't need a new phone anyway—most students have a perfectly functional phone they bought last year or the year before.

The exceptions to the SIM-only rule are rare. If you genuinely need a new phone and can't afford to buy one outright, a bundled contract might make sense. Some contracts also offer genuinely good terms—like free upgrades mid-contract, or significant discounts on accessories. But these are rare, and you need to do the math carefully.

Another consideration: SIM-only plans change more frequently. Carriers are constantly updating their SIM-only offerings because they know students are price-sensitive and will switch easily. That means better promotions and new offers regularly. Bundled contracts are more static—they run for 24 months and you're mostly stuck.

One more advantage of SIM-only: you can change carriers basically whenever you want. Most are 30-day cancellation. So if a better deal comes out, or you move and your current network doesn't work, you can switch fast. Try that with a two-year contract—you'll pay early termination fees that basically wipe out any savings.

Estimated data shows that cashback offers often provide the most savings, while premium tier discounts may not save money unless you need the features.

Understanding Data Allowances and What You Actually Need

This is where most people get confused. Carriers throw around numbers like "50GB," "100GB," "unlimited," and most students don't really know what they're getting into.

Let's start with the real talk: you probably need less data than you think. If you're on campus, there's Wi Fi. Most universities cover dorm rooms, libraries, lecture halls, and student centers with Wi Fi. That's where you're actually doing stuff—browsing, studying, watching videos for class. Wi Fi doesn't count against your data allowance.

Your data gets used when you're not on Wi Fi. Walking to class, waiting for a friend, traveling home on break, sitting in the library when you can't find a Wi Fi spot. That's when you're burning through your allowance.

Here's a rough calculation. If you're streaming music, that's about 50MB per hour. If you're checking social media and email, that's roughly 5-10MB per hour. If you're watching You Tube or video calls, that's 100-500MB per hour depending on video quality. Maps and GPS use about 25MB per hour.

So on a typical student day where you're moving around campus, checking your phone, maybe listening to a podcast or checking social media, you're probably using 200-500MB of data. Over a month, that's 6-15GB. That's way less than what you thought, right?

But here's the catch: life happens. You travel home during holidays—suddenly you're using more data. Exam season hits and you're researching constantly. Video calls with family use tons of data. So there's variability.

Most students should target plans with 20-50GB of data. This gives you room to use data freely without rationing, but you're not paying for unlimited data that you'll never use. And honestly, if you're hitting 50GB+ of data usage while on a student plan with campus Wi Fi, you should probably think about what's going on. Maybe tether your laptop to your phone instead of using both simultaneously. Maybe download movies on Wi Fi instead of streaming them on data.

The exception: if the carrier offers unlimited data for only slightly more than a capped plan, take it. Some carriers do this. Unlimited data might only cost £5 more than 50GB. At that price, why limit yourself?

Student Verification and Making Sure You Actually Qualify

Here's where things get frustrating: the best student plans require verification, and the process isn't always smooth.

Most carriers verify student status through one of three methods. The first is a valid student email address—something like firstname@university.edu. This is the easiest if you still have access to your university email (and you usually do for at least a year after you graduate). The second is through Student Beans, a third-party verification service that checks your enrollment status and issues digital proof of student status. The third is occasionally through UNi DAYS, another student verification platform. Some carriers accept any of these; others are more selective.

Here's what you need to know before you buy: verify your student status first. Don't assume you'll get the discount. Create an account on Student Beans, verify your status through your university, and make sure it confirms you. Then take a screenshot or note confirmation number. That way, when you're ready to buy the student plan, you've got proof already in hand.

One thing that trips people up: student status sometimes expires faster than you think. If you're a final-year student, some carriers require proof that you're still enrolled in the current academic year. If you're graduating soon, you might lose student status mid-way through your plan. Check whether the discount is baked into your plan permanently, or whether it expires when your student status expires.

Graduates can sometimes lock in student pricing for a few months after graduation, but this varies by carrier. Some carriers grandfather you in for a grace period. Others immediately remove the discount when you graduate. It's worth asking before you sign up.

Also note: if you're an international student, sometimes carriers require additional verification. A passport, visa, or proof of enrollment documentation might be needed. This varies wildly, so check the specific carrier's requirements before you start the signup process.

University email is the most common method for student verification, followed by Student Beans and UNiDAYS. Estimated data based on typical carrier practices.

Decoding Common Plan Features and What Actually Matters

When you're comparing plans, carriers love burying important details in the fine print. Let's decode what actually matters and what's marketing fluff.

Rollover Data: Does unused data roll over to next month? This matters if your usage varies. Some months you use 20GB, other months you use 40GB. If data rolls over, you get flexibility. If it expires, you're wasting money on months when you use less. Most good student plans now offer rollover data, but check before you buy.

Tethering: Can you tether your phone to your laptop and use phone data on your laptop? This is increasingly standard, but some plans limit it or charge extra. For students, tethering is huge—you might need it when Wi Fi fails right before you submit an assignment. Make sure your plan explicitly allows tethering without extra charges or data throttling.

International Roaming: Does your plan work if you travel? Can you use it in the US if you're British? Many student-focused carriers offer international data included, or offer cheap international roaming as an add-on. This is increasingly important since travel is part of the student experience.

Streaming Service Bundling: Some plans bundle free months of Spotify, or discounts on streaming services. These are nice-to-haves. They sound great in marketing materials, but honestly, if you're comparing two plans and one is £5/month cheaper, the cheaper one is better even if you lose the Spotify discount.

Priority Network Access: Some carriers promise you don't get throttled (slowed down) even when their network is congested. This is a real benefit on some carriers that often have congestion issues, but honestly, most major carriers have decent congestion management now.

Customer Service Quality: This isn't technically a plan feature, but it should be on your checklist. Can you reach customer service via chat, phone, or in-person? Are they available evenings/weekends when students typically have time to deal with this stuff? Do they have good reviews? This matters way more than you think when something goes wrong.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About

When you see "£15/month," that's what you assume you'll pay. But there are some gotchas that can surprise you.

Activation Fees: Some carriers charge to activate a new SIM. Usually it's £5-10, and they often waive it if you order online. But check before you buy—it's annoying to think you're getting a great deal only to discover there's an extra fee.

Paper Bill Fees: Some carriers charge if you want a paper bill instead of online. This is rare now, but it still happens. Most students are fine with online bills anyway, so this usually isn't an issue. But if you prefer paper, check.

Early Termination: If you cancel before your contract ends, what's the charge? On month-to-month plans, this is usually zero—you just stop paying. But some carriers technically charge a prorated amount. Make sure you understand the terms.

Device Payment Plans: If you buy a phone through the carrier in installments, those payments are separate from your monthly plan. You'll see them as a line item on your bill. This catches people sometimes—they think the bill will be £25/month, but it's actually £25/month for service plus £20/month for the phone.

Premium Services: Some carriers default you into premium services like extra cloud storage or device insurance. You have to opt out. Check whether these are included or optional, and whether you actually want them.

International Add-Ons: If you're roaming internationally, standard rates are brutal. A single text message from abroad might cost £1-2. A minute of calling might cost £2-4. Before you travel, either get a travel add-on, or switch to a local SIM in your destination. Don't just use your home plan and pray.

The best practice: read the full terms and conditions. I know, nobody wants to do this. But student plans are usually short, straightforward documents. It takes five minutes and could save you from annoying surprises.

Data usage is the most critical factor for students when evaluating phone plans, followed by network coverage and contract terms. Estimated data.

Comparing Actual Student Plan Options Across Markets

Since student plans vary significantly by region, let's look at what's actually available and how to evaluate them.

In the UK, student plans are particularly robust. The market is competitive, networks are good, and carriers really do compete for student business. You'll see plans from major carriers like EE, Vodafone, O2, plus smaller MVNOs that specifically target students. The standout in the UK market is value—you're getting 50GB+ plans for £10-20/month regularly.

In North America, student plans are less aggressive. US carriers don't compete as hard on student-specific offerings. You're usually better off looking at MVNOs or switching to a smaller carrier. Canadian carriers are slightly better, but still not as competitive as the UK market.

In Europe, it varies wildly. Some countries have great student plan competition. Others have less. Germany and France have decent student options. Netherlands and Belgium have excellent MVNOs that often beat the major carriers. Italy and Spain are less consistent.

In Australia and New Zealand, there are specific student plans, but honestly, Australian carriers are generally expensive compared to the UK or Europe. New Zealand has better options.

Regardless of where you are, the evaluation process is the same: compare at least three carriers, actually check coverage in your area, verify the discount before you buy, and choose month-to-month over contract terms.

Navigating Carrier Changes Without Losing Your Number

One thing that stops students from switching to better plans is fear of losing their phone number. Sounds silly now, but it's actually a legitimate concern. The good news: it's easy and you get to keep your number.

The process is called Porting (in some countries) or Number Transfer (in others). Here's how it works. When you switch carriers, you call your new carrier and tell them you want to keep your current number. They ask for your old carrier information. You give them details about your current account. They contact your old carrier and request the transfer. Your old carrier confirms, and within a few hours (usually within one business day), your number is on your new carrier's network.

The old carrier can't stop this. It's regulated—they have to allow number portability. They might try to get you to stay (retention offers are common), but you can ignore them and proceed with the transfer anyway.

One detail: you need your Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) in the UK, or equivalent documentation in other countries. Ask your current carrier for it—they're required to provide it, usually within a day. Some carriers give it to you immediately online, which is nice.

Timing matters. On your new carrier's network, you'll have a transition day where calls briefly go to your old carrier's voicemail. This is usually just a few hours, but it can be up to 24 hours. Don't switch on a day you're expecting important calls or messages if you can help it. Friday afternoon is usually safe. Friday morning when someone might be trying to contact you about something urgent—maybe switch on a different day.

One more thing: once you switch, the SIM card from your old carrier stops working. If you lose the new SIM or damage it, you'll need to get a replacement. This is usually a few quid and takes a day or two to arrive. Keep the old SIM until you've confirmed everything works on the new network, just in case.

The UK leads in student plan value and carrier competition, while Europe shows strong MVNO presence. North America lags in all aspects. (Estimated data)

Student Plan Promotions and How to Spot the Actually Good Ones

Carriers are constantly running promotions. First month free. Double data for six months. Cashback offers. Sometimes these are genuinely good. Sometimes they're marketing tricks that actually cost you money.

The key is understanding what's real value versus what's just rearranging your costs. A "first month free" sounds great. That's 1/12th of a year's cost saved. But if the second month is slightly more expensive, they've just shifted your costs around. Over a year, you've actually saved nothing.

Good promotions have these characteristics:

They're genuinely cheaper over a full year. Do the math. Add up 12 months of payments, including all promotions, and compare to competitors. Sometimes the cheapest-looking monthly rate becomes expensive once you factor in all the promotions and fine print.

They apply to the features you actually use. Double data is only valuable if you use that much. A discount on a premium tier you'll never need isn't worth anything.

They don't have weird restrictions. Some promotions require you to be on the network for a minimum time, or automatically upgrade you to a more expensive plan after the promotion ends. These are landmines. Read the small print.

They apply to plans you're actually comparing. Sometimes carriers only offer promotions on certain plan tiers. If the promotion only applies to the most expensive plan, it's not really a win if you'd choose the cheaper plan anyway.

Here's what I'd actually do if I were a student right now: grab the first-month-free or similar promotion from the cheapest carrier that meets your actual needs. But don't choose a carrier just because of a promotion. Choose based on the base plan—the actual monthly cost after the promotion ends—plus network quality and coverage. Promotions should be the tiebreaker, not the decision.

Building Your Final Decision Framework

With all this information, here's how to actually make a decision.

Step 1: Get your baseline. Check your actual data usage from your current carrier. Look at three months of real data. That's your number.

Step 2: List your priorities. What matters most to you? Cheapest price? Best coverage? Most data? Specific perks? Write it down. Be honest.

Step 3: Check coverage. On a map from your top 3 carriers, check coverage in your dorm, your classes, your home, and the main areas where you spend time. If coverage is questionable, ask current students whether it actually works. Maps lie.

Step 4: Get exact pricing. For each carrier, find a plan that matches your data usage plus a little buffer. Write down the exact monthly cost. Include any activation fees or setup costs. Calculate the annual cost.

Step 5: Factor in promotions. Add the value of any relevant promotions. But factor them into the full-year cost, not just the first month.

Step 6: Check student status. Make sure you're actually eligible for the student plan. Get verification ready before you buy.

Step 7: Make the decision. Choose the plan that gives you the best value for your priorities, on a network with good coverage, that you can actually qualify for. That's it.

Step 8: Set a reminder. Set a calendar reminder for 11 months in. Your contract might be automatic renewal, and you want to check whether better deals have come out. After a year, reevaluate.

This process takes maybe 90 minutes of work. That work will save you £50-150 per year. That's £1-3 per hour. Pretty solid return on time investment.

Special Situations: When Standard Advice Doesn't Apply

Most students fit the standard mold: they need decent data, reliability, and value. But some situations are different.

If you're studying abroad for a year, you might want to keep your home carrier for continuity, then roaming add-ons to make it work. Or you might want to get a local SIM in your destination country. This is a pure cost calculation. Local SIM is usually cheaper if you're staying longer than a month. But keeping your home number might be worth something to you. Do the math.

If you're traveling constantly (gap year, semester abroad, permanent traveling student), you probably want an international plan, not a standard student plan. Some carriers offer these. Research specific carrier options if this is you.

If you have bad coverage with all carriers (you're in a remote area, or all carriers have spotty coverage), you might not have good options. In this case, choose the carrier with the best coverage, then supplement with Wi Fi calling when possible. This is a limitation of where you're located, not a plan choice issue.

If you need a new phone and can't afford to buy one outright, a phone payment plan might make sense. But actually calculate the cost. A bundled contract with phone is often equivalent to buying an outright mid-range phone and taking a separate SIM-only plan. You're not getting a discount—you're just financing it.

If you're not actually a current student (you're a recent grad still on campus, or planning to be), double-check that you still qualify for student pricing. Some carriers grandfather you in for a grace period after graduation. Others don't. Verify before you commit.

FAQ

What exactly is a SIM-only plan?

A SIM-only plan is a cellular service contract without a physical phone included. You provide your own device (either something you already own or something you buy separately), and the carrier provides just the SIM card and service. This is usually month-to-month and significantly cheaper than bundled contracts that include a phone.

How much data do I actually need as a student?

Most students use between 10-30GB of data monthly, assuming they have access to Wi Fi on campus. You can check your actual usage in your carrier's app—look at the last three months of data and use that as your baseline. If you travel frequently or stream video on data often, aim for 40-50GB plans. If you're mostly on Wi Fi, 20GB is usually plenty.

Can I keep my phone number when I switch carriers?

Yes, absolutely. This is called number porting and it's legally protected in most countries. When you switch carriers, request your Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) from your current carrier, give it to your new carrier, and they'll handle the transfer. The process takes 24-48 hours and is usually free. Your old carrier can't stop you from porting your number out.

What discounts do I actually qualify for as a student?

Most student plans require proof of current enrollment through Student Beans, UNi DAYS, or a valid university email address. Create an account on Student Beans, verify your enrollment status through your university, and keep that confirmation handy when you sign up. Some carriers only offer student plans during certain times of year (usually August-September at the start of the academic year), so check timing too.

Is a bundled contract ever worth it for students?

Rarely. The math usually doesn't work out. A bundled contract with a mid-range phone costs about 2-3x more over 24 months than a SIM-only plan plus buying a phone separately. The only exceptions are if you absolutely need a new phone and can't afford it outright, or if you find a contract with genuinely exceptional terms (which is rare).

What happens to my student pricing after I graduate?

This varies by carrier. Some grandfather student pricing for 2-3 months after graduation. Others immediately remove the discount when your student status expires. Check your carrier's specific policy before you sign up. You can usually contact customer service and ask—they'll tell you exactly when student pricing ends.

How often should I reevaluate my phone plan?

At least once per year. Set a calendar reminder for 11 months into your plan. Carriers constantly release new student offers, and what was the best deal when you signed up might not be best a year later. You might even find a better deal on the same carrier—some carriers offer loyalty discounts to existing customers who reevaluate. Spend 30 minutes comparing options annually and you'll likely save money.

Are international roaming add-ons worth it?

It depends on your travel plans. If you're traveling internationally for a short trip, a roaming add-on might make sense—international data usually costs 50-75% less with an add-on than without one. If you're staying somewhere for more than a month, getting a local SIM is almost always cheaper. For most students, occasional international travel is rare enough that you can handle it with roaming add-ons when needed.

What should I do if my carrier has coverage issues in my area?

First, confirm the problem isn't just your phone or SIM. Try borrowing a friend's phone on the same carrier. If they have good signal and you don't, it might be a device issue. If multiple people on the same carrier have coverage problems in your area, switch to a carrier with better coverage. Coverage quality varies significantly by location, and no discount is worth having no signal.

Final Thoughts: Your Phone Plan Shouldn't Be Complicated

Choosing a student phone plan doesn't need to be stressful. It's a straightforward financial decision: you need data and calling, you want to pay as little as possible, and you want reliable service. That's it.

The carrier marketing machine tries to make it more complicated than it actually is. They throw in promotions, bundled perks, complex pricing tiers, and all sorts of fluff designed to make comparison shopping difficult. Don't fall for it. Stick to the basics: what does the plan cost, what data do you get, is the coverage good, and can you actually afford it?

Student plans exist because carriers know you'll be loyal customers if they treat you right now. Take advantage of that. Get the student discount, grab a good deal on data, and lock it in for a year. Then reevaluate next year and do it again. You'll save hundreds of pounds over your student years.

One final piece of advice: once you find a decent plan, stop optimizing. Spend the 90 minutes doing the research, make a decision, and then move on with your life. You have actual studying to do. A decent plan that you execute on is better than the absolute perfect plan that you never stop researching. Get 80% of the way to the optimal choice and call it good.

Your phone is important. Your phone bill shouldn't be. Make the right decision, then forget about it and focus on what actually matters.

Key Takeaways

• Student phone plans offer 5x data bonuses and first-month-free promotions, saving £50-150 annually compared to standard plans, as highlighted by CNBC.
• SIM-only plans cost 30-40% less than bundled contracts with phones, making them the smarter choice for most students, according to CNET.
• You need to verify student status through Student Beans or university email before purchasing—don't assume you'll get the discount, as noted by BestColleges.
• Most students use only 20-50GB of monthly data on campus with WiFi access, meaning you likely don't need unlimited plans, as discussed in CNET's unlimited data plan review.
• Reevaluate your plan once per year—new promotions emerge every 2-3 months and better deals often become available, as suggested by Wired.

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