These 6 Groups Can Get Costco Credits When They Sign Up for a Membership

Costco, everyone's favorite wholesaler, gives out more than free samples -- it donates Costco credits to good samaritans. First-time Costco members can apply for some free money by proving they're part of one of six groups, college students and military members among them.

Read on to find out who qualifies for the new member promotion -- and the potential personal finance boost that comes with a Costco membership.

1. College students

Costco is giving $20 Shop Cards to college students. But you need to sign up for UNiDAYS, a student discount website. It's fast and free, though you must cough up your email address.

Here's how to take advantage of the promotion:

1. Navigate to the college student promotion
2. Join or log into UNiDAYS
3. Sign up for a Costco Gold Star membership

2. Teachers

Costco is giving $20 or $40 Shop Cards to teachers. Teachers who sign up for the $60 monthly Gold Star membership get $20; those who splurge for the $120 annual Executive membership get $40. To sign up, you must confirm you're a teacher through ID.me.

Here's how to take advantage of the promotion:

1. Navigate to the teacher promotion
2. Confirm identity through ID.me
3. Sign up for a Costco Gold Star or Executive membership

3. Medical professionals

Costco is giving $30 Shop Cards to medical professionals. That includes hospital employees, nurses, and medical providers. To sign up, you must confirm your identity on ID.me.

Here's how to take advantage of the promotion:

1. Navigate to medical professionals promotion
2. Confirm identity through ID.me
3. Sign up for a Costco Gold Star membership

4. First responders

Costco is giving $20 and $40 Shop Cards to first responders. To sign up, you must confirm you're a responder through ID.me.

Here's how to take advantage of the promotion:

1. Navigate to the first responders promotion
2. Confirm identity through ID.me
3. Sign up for a Costco Gold Star or Executive membership

5. Government employees

Costco gives government employees $20 and $40 Shop Cards. To sign up, you must verify your government status through ID.me.

Here's how to take advantage of the promotion:

1. Navigate to the government employees promotion
2. Confirm identity through ID.me
3. Sign up for a Costco Gold Star or Executive membership

6. Military members

Costco is giving $20 and $40 Shop Cards to military members. That includes active duty, veteran, and retired military members, plus their spouses or dependents.

Here's how to take advantage of the promotion:

1. Navigate to the military promotion
2. Confirm identity through ID.me
3. Sign up for a Costco Gold Star or Executive membership

Other things to know

Costco is picky with how you sign up for a membership. You must do so with a Visa card and set up auto-renewals. Only first-time members get the Shop Cards; sadly, it doesn't count if you have a current Gold Star membership and upgrade to an Executive membership for the first time.

You may be out of luck if another household member has already used a promotion. Costco limits them to one per household.

Costco doesn't do membership discounts, so this is as good as it gets. If you're a member of one of these six groups and have been flirting with getting a membership, scoop your deal. It only takes a little extra time, and you get easy Costco credit for your next purchase.