Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Students: A new AWS Free Tier account gets $100 in credits immediately, plus up to $100…
AWS Free Tier (Free account plan + Always Free + Short-term trials)
What you get
- A new AWS Free Tier account gets $100 in credits immediately, plus up to $100 more for completing specified activities — up to $200 total
- also includes monthly free allowances on 30+ Always Free services.
From the official page: “When you create a new AWS Free Tier account, you get $100 in credits immediately. As you explore key services, you can earn up to $100 more. That's up to $200 over 6 months ... The account closes on its own 6 months after you open it or when your credits run out, whichever comes first.”
How to claim
- Go to https://aws.amazon.com/free and click Create free account.
- Follow the prompts, choosing the Free account plan or Paid account plan, to complete signup.
- On the Free Tier page, filter by 'Always Free', 'Trial', and product category to see available allowances.
Eligibility
New AWS customers; choose between the Free account plan and the Paid account plan at signup; the Free plan enables only Always Free allowances, while the Paid plan enables both Short-term trials and Always Free.
Expiry & renewal rules
The Free plan ends automatically 6 months after account creation or when credits run out, whichever comes first, with no charges during that period unless you actively upgrade to the Paid plan; beyond the allowances, the Paid plan bills at standard rates; the Free plan cannot use some services that burn credits quickly and cannot purchase hardware.
Availability
Not listed item-by-item on the official page; availability follows AWS regions.
FAQ
Is Amazon Web Services (AWS) still free for students in 2026?
It changed. Amazon Web Services (AWS) no longer offers the exact deal it used to — see the status banner above and What you get for the current state, verified Oct 21, 2026.
Do I need a credit card? How long does the Amazon Web Services (AWS) student offer last?
The official page does not state a card requirement clearly — expect to check during signup. Duration details are under Expiry & renewal above. Duration: The Free plan ends automatically 6 months after account creation or when credits run out, whichever comes first, with no charges during that period unless you actively upgrade to the Paid plan; beyond the allowances, the Paid plan bills at standard rates; the Free plan cannot use some services that burn credits quickly and cannot purchase hardware.
What's the catch with Amazon Web Services (AWS)'s student program?
The honest caveats: The Free plan ends automatically 6 months after account creation or when credits run out, whichever comes first, with no charges during that period unless you actively upgrade to the Paid plan; beyond the allowances, the Paid plan bills at standard rates; the Free plan cannot use some services that burn credits quickly and cannot purchase hardware.. Student programs are usually limited to non-commercial use, may require yearly re-verification, and can be discontinued with little notice — that is exactly why this page exists. Verify on the official page before building anything on top of a free tier.