One great thing about being a Nittany Lion is the free software and services available at no cost. This site will serve as a guide for ALL the free stuff you can receive just for being a Penn State student, with an explanation of each service and how to take advantage of it!
PSU-Specific Software
Below are some of the software applications available directly from Penn State, mainly accessible through PSU WebAccess.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud (CC), including Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere, and many others is available to all Penn State students and faculty members at no additional cost. Through the full suite of Adobe CC products, students and faculty members have access to a host of creative tools for digital imaging, design, web, and video, as well as online services including 20GB of storage. Sign up and download at adobe.psu.edu.
Microsoft Office
Office 365 offers a host of applications for seamless collaboration, communication, and productivity. Tools included in Penn State’s Office 365 access include Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and more. Downloads are available by logging in to your PSU email at office365.psu.edu.
WebApps Remote Applications
Through WebApps, all Penn State users can access applications commonly found in a Penn State Lab from the convenience of a web browser. The applications available through this service include: Microsoft Office, ArcGIS Desktop, MATLAB, Mathematica, Minitab, SolidWorks, and SAS. To see all available applications and launch programs, head to webapps.psu.edu.
Symantec Anti-Virus
PSU Residential Computing recommends that you install the free Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition program the University provides. This software will not expire and does not require annual subscription fees. To download the free Symantec Corporate Edition Antivirus software, log into the Penn State IT Download Page and look under "Virus Detection/Spyware Tools."
Box
With Penn State's Box service, each faculty, staff and students are eligible to receive unlimited storage and the ability to share with other Penn State faculty, staff, and students. Get started at box.psu.edu.
Tech Tutors
If you need help using software, our Tech Tutors can probably help you out. Providing tutoring in Microsoft Office, Creative Cloud, Canvas, WordPress, or even Zoom, the Tech Tutors are a great resource for getting the technical help you need. Note: Tech Tutors only support Penn State software. For a full list of supported programs and/or to schedule an appointment, visit techtutors.psu.edu.
For more free and discounted PSU software, please visit the links below.
For some additional free software, visit:
You are also eligible to receive special discounts for software not included in the previous links:
Other Free Software (.edu email)
Change your C to a C++!
Github Student Developer Pack
Github offers over $12,000 of developer tools in this package, designed specifically for students. Looking at the pack, it includes more than 20+ programs ranging from coding and developing tools, cloud hosting options, free domain names, and creative tools like Canva Pro. To receive access, head to Github to verify your student status with your PSU email or an Enrollment Verification Sheet from LionPATH.
JetBrains
Similar to Github, JetBrains offers a variety of integrated developer tools, from C++ to Javascrift and others. You will need to apply at JetBrains with your ID and/or your PSU email.
Microsoft Imagine
Microsoft Imagine helps students develop their ideas and boldly bring them to life. Simply create your student account on microsoft.com and verify your student status to access developer resources, contests, trainings and download the same tools and products used by professional developers.
For the right-brained people out there…
Autodesk
Autodesk supplies over 100 creative softwares for students, ranging from 2D and 3D CAD to video game design. Some notable programs include AutoCAD, Maya3D, and Fusion360. Even better, you get a lifetime license for these professional programs. Take it with you after you graduate! To participate, verify your student status on AutoDesk.
Canva Pro
Available free for one year through the Github Student Developer Pack (see "Developer Tools," above), Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to easily create social media graphics, presentations, posters and other visual content. Canva Pro opens a whole new world of features and brings your design to the next level. Sign up at canva.com/education.
InVision
A free license for InVision is available for all students. With intuitive tools for ideation, design, prototyping, and design management, the InVision platform gives you everything you need for digital product design, all in one place. To sign up, fill out the form at invisionapp.com/education to receive your verification code.
Misc. Resources
Amazon Prime
Washington Post
When you take advantage of the Amazon Prime deal we mentioned above, you’ll also have access to six months of The Washington Post online for free as well! All you need to do is log in with Amazon to start your free trial.
Keeping your money in check.
Student Checking Accounts
You can get free/discounted checking accounts for being a college student. Not only that, some banks even offer special programs to help students save money. These banks include Bank of America, TD Bank, PNC, and Wells Fargo. You can save an average of $150/yr in bank fees alone. Ask your current bank if they offer student checking accounts!
You Need a Budget
You Need a Budget is a website to help anyone keep track of finances and budgeting. One year of this service is offered for free to college students to help them budget throughout school. Sign up for free here.
For some late night pizza money!
Pocket Points
Pocket Points is a fantastic app that earns your a variety of freebies for simply staying off your phone in class. For each minute, you get points in the app, which you can redeem for freebies from local merchants. Rewards vary, but could range from free food to exclusive discounts. Head over to Pocket Points to get started.
Plyo
Earn points by working out and spending time at Penn State's recreation centers. You can redeem points for exclusive offers at restaurants, stores, and popular brands. Plyo is available for Android and iOS, here.
Am I missing something? Let me know: carsonschultz@psu.edu