The back-to-school season of 2015 presented U.S. consumers with a variety of no-cost opportunities, ranging from brand-sponsored incentives for academic achievement to state-sponsored sales tax exemptions on essential supplies. Analysis of contemporary sources reveals a landscape where parents and students could access free products, food items, and financial savings through specific programs and seasonal events. This report synthesizes verified information on report card freebies, promotional sales tax holidays, and product-related offers available during that period.
A prominent category of no-cost offers was tied directly to academic performance. Multiple brands provided incentives for students who achieved specific grade milestones, typically requiring the presentation of an original report card. For instance, Chuck E. Cheese offered a "Super Student Award" or "Graduation Certificate" providing free tokens for being a good student. Krispy Kreme provided a free original glazed donut for each 'A' earned, with a cap of six donuts (a half-dozen). Chick-fil-A extended a free 8-pack of nuggets to students presenting a report card with all A's and B's. Pizza Hut offered a personal pan pizza and a small soft drink or carton of milk to elementary and middle school students who had three A's or the equivalent per marking period, with the requirement that the student be present and the original report card be shown. This offer was dine-in only. A reader tip also suggested checking with local banks and credit unions for money rewards for good grades, though specific institutions were not named in the sourced data.
Other report card reward programs had geographic limitations. Cheryl’s Cookies offered up to three free cookies for A's, but this was noted as potentially available only at locations in Ohio, California, and Illinois. Cold Stone Creamery's policy was not national; the data indicated that since stores are individually owned and operated, the best approach was to inquire directly with a local store, as some had offered similar rewards in the past. To accommodate homeschooling families, a resource for a free printable report card was mentioned, allowing them to participate in similar incentive programs.
Beyond individual brand promotions, broader consumer savings were available through state sales tax holidays for back-to-school items. These events, offered by approximately one-third of all states in 2015, provided exemptions from state sales tax on qualifying purchases of clothing, shoes, school supplies, computers, and books. The National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that spending on back-to-school for families with school-aged children was expected to reach $24.9 billion, with the average family planning to spend $630.36. With 76.4% of families adjusting spending habits due to economic conditions, these tax holidays offered a significant method for reducing costs.
The specifics of these tax holidays varied by state, with different exemption categories and price limits. For example: * Alabama (August 7-9): Exemptions applied to clothing ($100 or less per item), computers (single purchase up to $750), school supplies, art supplies or school instructional materials ($50 or less per item), and books ($30 or less per item). * Arkansas (August 1-2): Exemptions covered clothing ($100 or less per item), clothing accessories ($50 or less per item), school supplies, art supplies, and school supplies. * Connecticut (August 16-22): Exemptions were for clothing and footwear ($100 or less per item). * Florida (August 7-16): Exemptions included school supplies, clothing, footwear, and certain accessories ($100 or less per item), school supplies ($15 or less per item), and computers and computer accessories (applies to the first $750 per item). * Georgia (July 31 - August 1): Exemptions applied to school supplies, clothing (up to $100 per item, excluding accessories like jewelry, handbags, umbrellas, eyewear, watches, and watchbands), computers and related accessories ($1,000 or less per item), and school supplies ($20 or less per item). * Iowa (August 7-8): Exemptions applied to clothing or footwear (up to $100 per item).
It was noted that states like Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no state-wide sales tax, while Pennsylvania and Vermont already exempt some necessities like clothing.
In addition to food and financial incentives, other back-to-school freebies and promotional offers were available. A 2015 "Back to School FREEBIES" event from homeschoolgiveaways.com, which expired on August 3, 2015, offered 10 exclusive freebies for homeschool families. This was a time-limited, no-cost offer claimed through their website.
Product reviews and guides also highlighted items that could be sampled or purchased. For instance, bloggers at Emily Reviews received product samples in exchange for their back-to-school guide inclusion. Their 2015 guide featured items such as the Eco Vessel Kids Triple Twist Stainless Steel Water Bottle, pediped shoes, and LockerLookz for designing school lockers. While these were not free samples for consumers, they represent the types of products that brands were promoting through sample programs for reviewers.
Another promotional opportunity noted was a sale on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) resources on August 3rd and 4th, 2015. While not a freebie, it offered significant discounts on educational materials, with a specific sale code (BTS15) provided. Customers could also use TPT credits from past purchase feedback to reduce costs further.
The sourced data does not provide information on free samples in categories like beauty, baby care, pet products, health, or household goods for the 2015 back-to-school season. The available information is focused on food incentives for grades, sales tax holidays, and educational product promotions.
Conclusion
The 2015 back-to-school season provided U.S. consumers with several structured avenues for obtaining no-cost benefits and savings. The most direct free offers were report card reward programs from national brands like Chuck E. Cheese, Krispy Kreme, Chick-fil-A, and Pizza Hut, which provided food items and tokens in exchange for academic achievement. Geographic limitations applied to some offers, such as those from Cheryl’s Cookies, while others required direct inquiry with individual franchise locations. Broader financial relief was available through state sales tax holidays, which exempted specific school-related purchases from tax for limited periods in numerous states. Additional promotional opportunities included time-limited freebie events for homeschoolers and discounted educational materials for teachers. Consumers seeking such offers in 2015 were advised to verify participation with local establishments and note expiration dates for specific promotions.