College Students Can Get a One-Time 20% Discount at Target Through Aug. 26

It's already back-to-school season! If you have a kid heading off to college soon or are a college student yourself, you know how costly it can be to prepare for the upcoming semester by the time you buy all the essentials. But Target has a promotion that can help college kids and their families save money. Now through Aug. 26, college students can save 20% on a Target haul.

Save 20% at Target with this deal 

To help college students better prepare for the school year, Target is offering a one-time 20% discount to college students with valid IDs. If you're a college student, you can get a one-time 20% discount on your entire Target shopping trip -- not just on school supplies. Note that it excludes some items, like gift cards, Apple products, and video games.

If you have not done your back-to-school shopping, this deal can help you keep more money in your checking account as you prepare for the first day of classes. College students currently enrolled at a degree-granting college or university of higher education qualify for this promotion. 

The offer is available through Aug. 26 and can be used in-store or online. You must be a Target Circle member and must activate the Target Circle offer in your online account to get the discount. The Target Circle loyalty program has many perks and is free to join. 

You must verify student eligibility first to see this Target Circle offer in the mobile app. You can verify that you're a college student by taking the following steps:

1. Log into your Target Circle account.
2. Navigate to "Account."
3. Next, click "Settings."
4. Finally, select "Verify status" under "Student verification" and follow the prompts to verify your eligibility.

You'll be asked to submit a copy of your student ID or a school-issued document that verifies your eligibility. After completing the prompts, you should see the offer in your mobile app. You'll need to activate the offer before shopping to get the discount. 

Since this is a one-time discount, you'll want to plan your shopping trip accordingly to maximize the savings you get. It may be helpful to make a list before you shop so you don't miss any must-have buys. But make sure you don't spend beyond your means or rack up credit card debt. 

Unlock discounts and earn rewards with Target Circle 

As mentioned above, the Target Circle program is a free loyalty program available to all shoppers. You can benefit all school year long by being a member. Every time you shop, you'll earn 1% in cash back rewards, which can be redeemed as a discount on future Target purchases. 

You'll also find Target Circle offers in the mobile app to earn discounts and gift cards. Just activate the offers that interest you and make eligible purchases based on the offer terms. 

Target Circle members also receive a birthday gift each year, so don't forget to include your birth date in your account settings after signing up so you don't miss out on your yearly birthday surprise. This free loyalty program offers an easy way to get rewarded for everyday shopping. 

Whether you're a student or not, life feels extra expensive lately. Are you looking for other ways to save money? Check out our free personal finance resources for additional tips.