Best Prepaid Plans For Students

Explore affordable prepaid plans tailored for students, featuring budget-friendly options and unlimited data to stay connected without overspending.

Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans for Students
Best prepaid cell phone plans for students in US.

Looking for the best prepaid plans for students? Here’s a quick summary to help you save money and stay connected:

Budget Options Prepaid Plans

Best Unlimited Plans for Students

Key Tips

  • Use campus Wi-Fi to save data
  • Pick plans based on your monthly data needs
  • Look for carrier special promotions

Connecting to Wi-Fi whenever possible can help you avoid using your mobile data. This is especially useful for data-heavy activities like downloading large files.

Also, keep an eye out for special promotions and limited-time offers. Carriers often provide discounts for new customers, which is one of the key advantages of prepaid plans—you can switch anytime since you renew your plan monthly without being tied to a long-term contract.

Best Budget Friendly Prepaid Plans for Studens

Affordable prepaid plans can still provide great service. Here are some of the best low-cost options for students looking to save money without compromising on quality.

Lyca 500 MB Plan - $15.75/month

Lyca Mobile, a company founded in London in 2006, offers a budget-friendly option for customers who don’t rely heavily on mobile data for communication or studying, as they spend most of their time connected to Wi-Fi.

This plan includes:

  • Unlimited domestic talk and text
  • 500MB of high-speed data
  • Unlimited international talk & text to 100 countries

For students who need to stay in touch with family or friends outside the US, this plan provides a crucial feature—the ability to make unlimited calls to 100 countries. (ckeck the list here).

H2O 3GB Plan - &21.42/month

H2O Wireless, headquartered in New Jersey, has 20 years of experience in the market. Its 3GB plan offers a simple and affordable option for light data users.

This plan includes:

  • Unlimited domestic talk and text
  • 3GB of high-speed data (reduced to 256 Kbps after usage)
  • $5 International Roaming Credit

Compared to the previous plan, a key advantage here is that even after you use up your 3GB of data, you can still access the internet for essential features that don’t require high-speed connections, such as messaging apps or certain maps. Additionally, international roaming allows you to make calls and send texts while traveling outside the United States.

Boost Unlimited Plan with a 30GB Cap - &30/month

Boost Mobile was founded in Sydney, Australia, at the beginning of the century. Its U.S. operations were acquired by Dish Network for $1.4 billion in 2020.

This plan includes:

  • Unlimited domestic talk and text
  • 30GB of high-speed data (reduced to 512 Kbps after usage)

Boost markets this plan as unlimited, but there’s a catch—after 30GB of data usage, speeds drop to 512 Kbps. Still, it’s a great deal if you're willing to pay a bit more than Lyca and H2O’s plans. The biggest advantage is peace of mind, as 30GB should be more than enough for a month—especially if you use Wi-Fi whenever possible.

Best Unlimited Data Prepaid Plans for Students

Unlimited Mobile Plans For Students
If you're looking for unlimited plans, check out these options.

For students balancing online classes, group projects, and streaming, unlimited data plans may be a must. They keep you connected without worrying about running out of data.

AT&T Unlimited Basic - $45/month

This plan, offered by the oldest phone carrier in the world, provides 30GB at 3G network speeds, followed by unlimited data at up to 1.5 Mbps. Unlike Boost or H2O, this plan maintains a decent speed even after reaching the limit. However, in today’s world of 5G networks, you’ll need some patience when going back to 3G speeds. If the limitation isn’t a concern for you, this plan offers great value.

This plan includes:

  • Unlimited talk, text & data in and between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
  • Unlimited text from the U.S. to over  200 countries (check list here)
  • 30GB/month at max 3Mbps, then speeds slowed to max 1.5Mbps.

Another advantage is that you can travel to Mexico and Canada while keeping your internet connection, unlimited texting, and calls—all included in the plan.

Simple Mobile Truly Unlimited - $50/month

We've now reached a price point where the plan is, as its name implies, truly unlimited. Simple Mobile, owned by Verizon since 2021, offers a plan with no data caps or hidden restrictions—what you see is what you get: unlimited data at 5G speeds, plus 5GB of hotspot data for added flexibility.

This plan includes:

  • Unlimited talk, text & data in the U.S.
  • Unlimited international calling to 100+ countries (check list here)
  • International Roaming in 16 Latin-American countries (check list here)
  • 5GB hotspot.

Beyond the convenience of hotspot access, which lets you connect devices like your laptop to the internet through your phone, this plan also stands out for those who frequently travel to Latin America or make international calls—a real advantage for staying connected.

Metro Flex Start - $55/month

Similar to the previous plan but with fewer international benefits, Metro by T-Mobile stands out for its 8GB hotspot and perks system. Every Tuesday, customers can enjoy freebies and exclusive deals on food, gas, and entertainment through the T-Life app.

This plan includes:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data
  • 8GB hotspot data
  • Weekly perks every Tuesday

If you need more hotspot data, don’t require international benefits, and enjoy hunting for deals every week, this plan might be a better fit for you than Simple Mobile’s.

Using Teloa for Easy Prepaid Refills

Choosing the right prepaid plan is important, but managing it well is just as crucial, this is where Teloa makes a difference.

Why Teloa?

Teloa offers a stress-free way to manage prepaid plans, supporting major carriers for a reliable and seamless experience. With fast processing, secure payments, and instant activation, Teloa keeps your service active, so you're never left without a connection.

Exclusive Perks

Teloa helps stretch your budget with a $5 discount on your first month and 3% cashback on every refill. Plus, with seven-day-a-week support, you’ll always have help when you need it.

With Teloa’s easy-to-use system and student-focused benefits, managing your prepaid plan becomes one less thing to worry about.

FAQs

Which phone carrier has the best student discount?

Verizon and AT&T offer student discounts on unlimited plans. Verizon provides $10 off per month for one line and $25 off for two lines, while AT&T’s Signature Program gives $10 off per line on Unlimited Premium. Students must verify enrollment to qualify. Check Verizon and AT&T’s websites for the latest details.

What is the best cell phone plan for college students?

The best prepaid plan depends on your needs. For an affordable option, H2O 3GB Plan ($21.42/month) includes international roaming and continued low-speed internet after data is used. Boost Unlimited ($30/month) provides 30GB of high-speed data before reducing speeds, making it a solid mid-tier choice. For truly unlimited data, Simple Mobile ($50/month) offers 5GB of hotspot, international calling, and roaming in Latin America.

What does Teloa offer?

Teloa simplifies prepaid plan management with quick refills, secure payments, and rewards like 3% cashback on every refill. With instant processing and support for major carriers, you’ll stay connected without interruptions. Plus, new customers get $5 off their first month.