Quick answer: The $5.99 figure in YouTube’s November 27, 2018 announcement was a limited-time introductory price for YouTube Premium. The reported regular student price for Premium was $6.99 per month, while standalone YouTube Music Premium was reported at $4.99 per month. Students had to enroll in Premium by January 31, 2019 to receive the $5.99 rate, so it is historical—not a current price quote.
What YouTube announced on November 27, 2018
YouTube introduced student memberships in the United States as the company established separate YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium services after the transition from YouTube Red. The launch combined a continuing student tier with a temporary introductory promotion. Droid Life reported the pricing and January 31, 2019 enrollment deadline at the time.
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| 1 |
|
Google Play gift code | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Google Play gift code | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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MasterCard Physical Gift Card – $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Google Play gift code | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Google Play Physical Gift Card | $75.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The headline can therefore be misleading: $5.99 was not the general student price for both products. It applied to YouTube Premium during the introductory window.
Historical student prices
| Membership | Reported November 2018 student price | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium | $6.99/month | Students who enrolled by January 31, 2019 could reportedly lock in $5.99/month. |
| YouTube Music Premium | $4.99/month | Standalone music membership; the source did not describe it as a $5.99 plan. |
| YouTube Premium introductory offer | $5.99/month | Temporary promotional rate that included YouTube Music Premium. |
These amounts describe the 2018 U.S. launch and should not be used as current prices. Taxes, billing location, plan type and later pricing changes can affect what an account sees today.
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#1 Best Overall
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
What each membership provided
YouTube Premium
The launch description positioned Premium as the broader membership: ad-free regular YouTube, YouTube Music Premium access, background playback and related Premium benefits. It was the comprehensive choice for students who watched both ordinary YouTube videos and music.
YouTube Music Premium
Music Premium was a separate, music-focused subscription offering ad-free music and background playback in the 2018 description. Current YouTube documentation describes Music Premium as including ad-free access to millions of songs and music videos, offline listening and related music benefits; features can change over time. See YouTube’s current student-membership guidance.
Who qualified for the 2018 launch?
The 2018 offer was reported as U.S.-only. Eligibility required:
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
- Full-time enrollment at a U.S. Title IV-accredited college or university.
- Verification through SheerID.
- Annual re-verification of student status.
- A maximum student-membership period of up to four years.
“Up to four years” was a maximum eligibility window, not a guarantee that the discount would continue after graduation or loss of student status.
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No. The $5.99 Premium rate was tied to the January 31, 2019 sign-up deadline and is a historical promotion. Current YouTube student memberships are available in the United States and other countries, but YouTube’s support documentation does not publish one universal student price. The amount shown at checkout depends on the account’s country, offer and billing setup.
To see the current offer for your account, use the official web enrollment pages:
Rank #3
- Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- Double check if the URL/website is genuine before entering card details online. Do not provide any gift card details (example: claim code) to someone you do not know or trust. There are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- If you believe that your Card has been lost or stolen, notify Mastercard immediately by calling 1-833-791-7288. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. Your Amazon.com Balance cannot be used to purchase Mastercard gift cards.
Sign in, complete or begin SheerID verification, and review the final price before purchasing. Web checkout is the reliable reference rather than an old article or an assumed mobile-app price.
How current student verification works
- Open the appropriate student enrollment page and select Get Premium.
- Complete SheerID’s school and enrollment verification.
- If automatic verification fails, upload the requested documentation with information matching your submission.
- Return to YouTube if prompted, select or add a payment method, and complete checkout.
- Review membership details at youtube.com/purchases.
YouTube says U.S. users who need document review should generally receive an eligibility email in about 20 minutes; users elsewhere may wait up to 48 hours. That is a support estimate, not a guaranteed processing deadline. Eligibility can last up to four consecutive years, with verification required annually. The current rules and country list are maintained at YouTube Help.
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Which student plan makes sense?
| Choose | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium | Students who want ad-free regular YouTube plus music benefits. | Costs more than a music-only membership at comparable pricing. |
| YouTube Music Premium | Students focused on music playback, music videos and offline listening. | Does not provide the full YouTube Premium experience. |
| Family or two-person plan | Eligible households sharing access under YouTube’s household rules. | Not a substitute for individual student eligibility. |
| Annual plan | Users who prefer prepaid access in a supported country. | Requires upfront payment and is not the student promotion. |
YouTube’s current plan information is available at YouTube plan options. Check the account-specific checkout price rather than assuming the 2018 figures still apply.
Rank #4
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
Common problems and fixes
Your school is not listed
SheerID determines which institutions qualify. If the school does not appear in the verification form, enrollment alone may not be enough to qualify.
An existing membership blocks enrollment
Current YouTube guidance generally requires canceling an active paid membership before starting a student membership. Exceptions can apply to services such as NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube or YouTube TV. Details are covered in YouTube’s membership-management guidance.
Country verification fails
Disable a VPN or proxy and try another network or device if YouTube cannot confirm your country. See YouTube’s troubleshooting guidance.
Best Value
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift cards can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, peel or gently scratch label and enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift card, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
You use a school or Workspace account
YouTube says a Premium student membership can be started with any Workspace account, while individual and family memberships have more restrictive Workspace-account rules. Check the account and billing guidance before switching accounts.
You miss annual re-verification
The discount is conditional on continuing eligibility. A missed verification or graduation can end student pricing; the four-year limit does not override those conditions.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
