Cursor Student Discount 2026: What Changed and What Still Works
Last updated September 2026
The short answer
Cursor closed its free Pro year to new student sign-ups on June 25, 2026 after fraud problems, so new students can no longer get a free year of Cursor Pro. If you already redeemed it, you keep your rate until it expires. What works now: the free Hobby plan for everyone, campus events for undergrads, and a credit request form for grad students, researchers and educators.
Cursor is the AI-first code editor a lot of student developers want, and for over a year its headline perk was a full free year of Cursor Pro (a $240 value) for verified students, so "Cursor student discount" still gets heavy search volume. But that free-Pro-year program closed to new sign-ups in June 2026 after fraud problems, so the advice on older pages is out of date. Here is what actually works for students now.
What Cursor costs students in 2026
| Plan | Standard price | For students |
|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $0 | Free for everyone |
| Pro | ~$20/mo ($240/yr) | Free-year ended for new students (June 25, 2026) |
| Credits | Request-based | Grad students, researchers and educators can request credits |
Every way to save on Cursor as a student
Free Hobby plan (everyone)
Cursor's Hobby plan remains free for all users. It is the simplest no-cost route now that the student free-Pro year has ended for new sign-ups.
Credit requests (grad students, researchers, educators)
Master's and PhD students, academic researchers and educators can request credits from Cursor directly, which works today through Cursor's request form.
Campus events (undergrads)
Cursor is running campus and online events in fall 2026 for undergraduates as a replacement for the discontinued free-Pro-year program.
Already redeemed before June 25, 2026?
Existing students who claimed the free Pro year before it closed keep their rate until their current plan expires.
Step by step: getting Cursor as a student
- 1Use the free Hobby plan for everyday coding.
- 2If you are a grad student, researcher or educator, submit Cursor's credit request form.
- 3If you are an undergrad, watch for the fall 2026 campus and online events.
- 4If you claimed the free Pro year before June 25, 2026, keep using it until it expires.
Free vs paid: is Cursor worth it as a student?
With the free Pro year gone for new students, the Cursor question is simpler: is Pro worth about $20/month out of pocket? If you code daily and lean on the Agent, it saves real time and is worth it. If you dabble, the free Hobby plan covers a lot. Grad students and researchers should request credits before paying, since that can unlock Pro-level usage at no cost. There is no student price anymore, so weigh Pro against the free Hobby plan based on how much you actually build.
Cursor student access outside the US
Cursor's changes apply worldwide, so the free Pro year is closed to new students everywhere, not only in the US. The free Hobby plan, the credit request form for grad students and researchers, and the fall 2026 campus events are the routes wherever you study. Searches for a Cursor student discount in other languages lead to the same outcome: no new free year, but the free plan and credit requests stay open globally.
Are you a founder, not just a student?
If you are building a startup rather than studying, do not lean on the student routes, since they have narrowed sharply. AI dev tools like Cursor often extend far larger allowances through startup and accelerator programs. SaaSOffers lists developer-tool deals plus 495 verified startup offers worth $500,000+ in credits. Founders should pursue those startup channels for bigger Cursor usage and adjacent tools rather than a student discount that no longer exists for new sign-ups.
Is the Cursor student discount worth it?
New students can no longer get the free Pro year, so do not waste time on guides that promise it. Use the free Hobby plan for everyday coding, request credits if you are a grad student, researcher or educator, and watch for the fall 2026 campus events if you are an undergrad. If you claimed the deal before June 25, 2026, you keep your rate until it expires.
Building something? Get the tools cheaper.
SaaSOffers lists 495 verified startup deals worth $500,000+ in credits, from AI tools to cloud and beyond.
Browse startup dealsCursor student discount FAQ
Is the Cursor student discount still available in 2026?
Not for new sign-ups. Cursor closed the free Pro year to new students on June 25, 2026. Existing students keep their rate until it expires.
Why did Cursor end the student discount?
Cursor said the free-Pro-year program had become a target for fraud and was holding it back from reaching students globally, so it closed it to new applicants.
How can students use Cursor for free now?
The free Hobby plan is open to everyone. Grad students, researchers and educators can request credits, and undergrads can access campus and online events running in fall 2026.
Do existing student subscriptions still work?
Yes. If you redeemed the free Pro year before June 25, 2026, you keep that rate until your current plan expires.
Can new students still get Cursor Pro free in 2026?
No. Cursor closed the free Pro year to new student sign-ups on June 25, 2026. New students use the free Hobby plan, credit requests (grad/researchers), or campus events instead.
How much does Cursor Pro cost without the student deal?
Cursor Pro is around $20/month ($240/year), which is what the discontinued student program covered for free. The Hobby plan remains free for everyone.
Did Cursor bring back the student discount in 2026?
No. The free Pro year remains closed to new students. Current options are the free Hobby plan, credit requests for grad students and researchers, and campus events for undergrads.