Verifying Student Status for VPN Discounts (SheerID & Co.)
Providers that offer student-specific pricing typically use a third-party verification platform — SheerID is the most common — to confirm student status before unlocking the discount. Here's how the verification process works and what you need to complete it.
SheerID: How It Works
SheerID is an identity verification platform used by dozens of brands for student, military, and professional discounts. The process: you provide your institution email address (.edu or country equivalent) and SheerID verifies your enrollment against their database of institutions. No human reviewer sees your personal documents in most cases — it's an automated database check against registrar data.
For institutions not in SheerID's database, you may need to upload documentation (enrollment letter, student ID, transcript) for manual review, which takes 1–5 business days.
Step-by-Step: Surfshark Student Verification
1. Start a purchase on Surfshark's student deal page (linked from their main pricing page or UNiDAYS). 2. Click "Verify Student Status" — this opens a SheerID widget. 3. Enter your institution name and .edu email address. 4. SheerID sends a verification email to your .edu address — click the link. 5. Verification confirmed → discount applied automatically to your checkout. Total time: 2–5 minutes if your institution is in SheerID's database.
UNiDAYS and Student Beans
UNiDAYS and Student Beans are discount aggregators that pre-verify student status and provide discount codes for participating merchants. For VPNs: NordVPN and Surfshark both appear periodically on UNiDAYS. Create a free UNiDAYS or Student Beans account with your .edu email to access any currently active VPN deals through those platforms.
Surfshark — Check Student Rate
$2.49/mo27-mo plan · Unlimited devices · 30-day money-back guarantee
Start purchase and check for SheerID verification option at checkout. Student verification may unlock additional % off the standard promotional rate.
Check Surfshark Student DealNordVPN — Check UNiDAYS
$3.49/mo2-yr plan · 10 devices · 30-day money-back guarantee
Search NordVPN on UNiDAYS for any currently active student-specific deal before purchasing at standard rate.
Check NordVPN DealWhat If My Institution Isn't Recognized?
International students at institutions outside SheerID's database: try uploading an enrollment verification letter (available from your registrar) as manual verification. Students at community colleges or vocational programs not in SheerID: contact the VPN provider's support directly with your institution ID — some providers offer discretionary verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SheerID and why do VPNs use it?
SheerID is a third-party identity verification platform that confirms student, military, or professional status for brands offering segment-specific discounts. VPNs use it to prevent abuse of student pricing by non-students, while keeping the verification process fast and automated.
Do I need to reverify my student status each year?
SheerID verifications are typically valid for one year. If your VPN plan renews at a student rate, you may need to re-verify your enrollment at the renewal point. The re-verification process is the same as initial verification.
What if my .edu email doesn't work for VPN student verification?
Try the manual documentation upload path (enrollment letter, student ID). Alternatively, check UNiDAYS and Student Beans, which use their own verification and may accept your institution even if SheerID's database doesn't have it.