During 2017, college students and veterans had access to a variety of freebies and promotional offers. These ranged from digital product subscriptions and safety supplies to food and event tickets. The availability of these offers often depended on specific eligibility criteria, such as enrollment status, military affiliation, or participation in specific campus events. Information regarding these opportunities was disseminated through university communications, news reports, and official brand announcements.
College Student Discounts and Freebies
University students in 2017 could access several free products and services designed to support their academic and personal lives. These offers were often tied to valid student email addresses or enrollment status.
Microsoft Office Suite
Microsoft offered its Office suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, for free to college students. This offer required a valid school email address to redeem. At the University of Arizona, eligibility was contingent upon being enrolled in classes. The standard cost for the software suite was approximately $150 for a one-time purchase, making the student offer a significant saving. Additionally, Microsoft provided free online training courses in computer coding basics.
Amazon Prime Student
Amazon offered a discount on Amazon Prime features to students who signed up using their university email address. This reduced-cost membership provided access to many of the standard Prime benefits, catering to the shopping needs of the student demographic.
Campus Safety Supplies
In response to the opioid crisis and the prevalence of fentanyl, college campuses began distributing safety supplies. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, student groups distributed naloxone injection kits, which are used to reverse opioid overdoses. The kits were promoted for use in social settings, such as fraternities. At the State University of New York's Delhi campus, student affairs staff distributed fentanyl test strips. These strips allow students to test pills for the presence of fentanyl. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fentanyl was involved in the vast majority of teen overdose deaths in 2021, highlighting the importance of these supplies. Campuses made these items available at welcome fairs, orientation events, and health centers.
University Events and Festival Freebies
Campus events often feature free items distributed to attendees. These events serve as opportunities for student engagement and community building.
Black Squirrel Festival
Kent State University hosted the 36th Annual Black Squirrel Festival in September 2017. The event attracted over 3,000 students, faculty, staff, and community members. The festival offered attendees the chance to interact with student organizations and local vendors. Free items were a major draw for the event. The first 2,500 attendees received a commemorative Black Squirrel Festival T-shirt. Additional freebies distributed by Kent Student Center Programming included sunglasses and fidget spinners. Student organizations and vendors also offered free items at their tables. The event featured food from the campus food truck, Fork in the Road, where dining plans were accepted.
Retail and Food Freebies
Retailers and restaurants offered promotions that were accessible to the general public, including college students. These offers often required specific actions, such as loading a digital coupon or visiting a location on a specific date.
Kroger Friday Freebie
Kroger offered a "Friday Freebie" promotion in October 2017. Customers could obtain a free Mt Dew Kickstart (12-16 oz) by loading a digital coupon to their Kroger account. The coupon was available for loading on October 27, with a redemption deadline of November 12.
Food and Beverage Offers
Various food establishments offered free items during specific periods. Dunkin' Donuts provided a free donut of choice on Veteran's Day. Krispy Kreme offered a free donut and a small coffee to veterans and active duty personnel on Veteran's Day, with no military ID required. Denny's offered a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast to military personnel on November 10, 2017. Applebee's provided a free meal from a select menu to veterans as part of a "You've served us. Now let us serve you" campaign.
Veteran-Specific Freebies
Veterans and active military personnel received numerous free offers on and around Veteran's Day in 2017.
Entertainment and Travel
Mammoth Mountain offered free lift tickets to military personnel on Veteran's Day. A museum offered free admission to active, retired, and veteran military personnel between November 1-16 and November 27-December 15, 2017. This offer included a free guest pass, though a military ID card was required for entry.
Dining
Dining offers for veterans were widespread. Denny's provided a free Grand Slam breakfast on November 10, 2017. Applebee's offered a choice of seven entrees, including chicken tenders platter, Oriental chicken salad, double crunch shrimp, and fiesta lime chicken. Krispy Kreme offered a free donut and coffee, and Dunkin' Donuts offered a free donut.
Sports and Community Events
Large-scale public events sometimes include free interactive experiences for fans.
Playoff Fan Central
The College Football Playoff National Championship event in January 2026 (referenced in the source data) included "Playoff Fan Central." This was a free, family-friendly interactive experience held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It featured games, clinics, pep rallies, guest appearances, autograph signings, and exhibits. No ticket was required for entry. The event was scheduled for January 16-18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Specific pep rallies were scheduled for the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl champions on January 18.
Conclusion
In 2017, freebies and promotional offers were available through various channels, including retail loyalty programs, university events, and national holidays. College students benefited from free software subscriptions and campus safety supplies, while veterans received a wide range of dining and entertainment perks. The availability of these offers relied on specific eligibility requirements and redemption processes, such as digital coupon loading or proof of enrollment or service.