UCLA students have access to a variety of complimentary resources and promotional offers through campus organizations and affiliated services. These benefits range from monthly brand activations and discounted services to educational resources and event admissions. The following overview details verified freebies and cost-saving opportunities available to the Bruin community, based on official university communications and student-focused publications.
ASUCLA BenefitsU and Follow for Freebies
Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) operates a student benefits program known as ASUCLA BenefitsU. This initiative provides value to enrolled students through digital coupons, advance notice of events, and exclusive discounts at campus retailers. According to official ASUCLA communications, all full-time regularly-enrolled UCLA students are automatically members of ASUCLA and are eligible to receive promotional emails containing coupons and information regarding upcoming events, such as UCLA Store sales and job fairs.
In April 2024, ASUCLA Marketing expanded this program with a monthly activation titled "Follow for Freebies." This in-person event offers complimentary treats to students who follow the official @asucla Instagram account. The inaugural event, held on April 3 outside the UCLA Store in Ackerman Union, distributed free Chocolate Vanilla Twist (CVT) ice cream pouches. The promotion was open to all members of the Bruin community and operated on a "while supplies last" basis. ASUCLA Marketing Director Ari Baron stated that the initiative aims to give back to students and connect with the community by promoting ASUCLA services. Future monthly activations are intended to showcase various ASUCLA products and services, allowing students to sample offerings and engage with staff. CVT products are available for purchase at the UCLA Store Market, a student-run enterprise.
Digital Learning and Retail Subscriptions
Students have access to digital educational platforms and retail subscriptions at no cost or reduced rates.
- Lynda.com: Students can access Lynda.com, an online learning platform offering courses in coding, software skills, and business, by visiting learnit.ucla.edu and logging into their myUCLA account.
- Amazon Prime: Eligible students can obtain a six-month free trial of Amazon Prime using their student email address. Following the trial period, the subscription reverts to a discounted rate of $49 per year.
Event and Entertainment Access
Campus organizations provide free admission to various entertainment and cultural events.
- Sporting Events: Students receive free admission to most UCLA sporting events, including water polo, baseball, soccer, and volleyball, upon presentation of a valid BruinCard. Note: Men's basketball and football games are typically excluded from this free admission policy.
- Campus Events Commission (CEC): The CEC organizes free movie screenings, concerts, and speaker events. Free tickets are generally available through the MyUCLA portal, often requiring reservation two business days in advance. These events may include sneak peeks of unreleased films or recently released DVDs.
- UCLA Live: Community action events and hands-on activities are offered by UCLA Live, distinct from discounted ticket programs.
Academic and Administrative Resources
Several campus resources assist with academic work and daily logistics at no additional cost.
- Free Printing: The Community Programs Office (CPO) Computer Lab in the Student Activities Center (SAC) provides every student with 75 free pages of black-and-white printing per quarter. This includes double-sided printing options. Students may print directly from lab computers or upload files for later pickup.
- Exam Database: A resource for past midterms, finals, and papers is available to students. Access is granted upon submission of a previously graded exam or assignment from a past course, which results in a test bank sticker being placed on the student's BruinCard. This sticker allows a five-minute browsing period per session to view up to five exams or papers.
- Late Night Shuttle: UCLA offers a free late-night shuttle service for safe transportation from campus to various drop-off locations.
Transportation and Local Travel
The Bruin U-Pass offers unlimited rides on Los Angeles public transportation networks, including LA Metro, Big Blue Bus, and Culver CityBus. This benefit is included in standard quarterly student fees.
Recreational and Cultural Activities
- Salsa Dancing: The Salsa Society at UCLA hosts free beginner salsa lessons on Thursday nights near the Bruin Bear, followed by social dancing.
- Hannah Carter Japanese Garden: Located in Bel-Air, this garden is open to visitors by reservation on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It features authentic Japanese stone carvings, lanterns, and architectural elements.
Conclusion
The freebies available to UCLA students are largely institutional benefits provided through ASUCLA, campus departments, and student organizations. These include digital subscriptions, event admissions, transportation passes, and physical goods during promotional activations. Access typically requires a valid student login or BruinCard, and many offers are distributed on a limited basis or require advance registration.