Freebies are one of the greatest perks of the college experience. While many companies offer student discounts to students at any institution, Pitt offers a plethora of free experiences and resources specifically for its students. From 3D printing to volleyball games to tutoring, there are free opportunities for every student to enjoy. Here is a quick reference for some of the best perks for Pitt students.
Transportation
Every Pitt student receives free bus fare included in their tuition. Simply tap your Panther ID or scan your PRT ReadyToRide app to hop on any of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s many routes. Students also receive free fare on the light rail and inclines around the city.
If you would rather bike, Pitt students receive unlimited free 30-minutes rides on POGOH bikes. There are stations all around Oakland, so finding an available bike isn’t a challenge. Free fares are a great way to explore Pittsburgh without access to a car at school.
Museums
Pittsburgh has a wealth of art, science and history museums that offer free admission to students. The Carnegie Museums, both art and natural history, are just off of campus. The Andy Warhol Museum is just a bus ride away and offers an artistic experience dedicated to the famous Pittsburgh native.
For fans of history, the Fort Pitt Museum downtown and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in the center of campus offer a look into the city’s past.
Though not technically a museum, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is near campus, free to students, and makes for a great activity. The conservatory’s holiday light display is especially popular with Oakland residents.
Free museum visits are suspended during the summer semester, so make sure to get your trips in during the fall and spring.
Entertainment
Pitt offers free tickets to almost all Panther sporting events, excluding football and men’s basketball. These free tickets are a great opportunity to support your fellow Panthers and show some school spirit.
Pitt Arts offers free arts encounters for students. While these encounters change frequently, they often consist of opera, ballet, theater, symphony performances or other related outings. Pitt Arts provides free transportation from campus and back.
Pitt also has a Cheap Seats program, partnering with multiple Pittsburgh theater, symphony and arts groups to provide discounted tickets to Pitt faculty and students. While these tickets are not free, they are heavily discounted and allow students to access exciting cultural experiences.
Miscellaneous
Pitt students receive free access to the Adobe Creative Cloud. After activating the Adobe membership, students have access to Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and more. This perk is helpful for both classroom and extracurricular needs.
For those interested in a more hands-on approach to creating, the University’s Center for Creativity offers a wealth of free art supplies for Pitt students. There are locations in the University store and the basement of the Cathedral of Learning. The center also hosts open mic nights and other art-focused events to showcase student creativity.
The Open Lab offers free makerspace resources, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, VR headsets and more. In addition, Benedum’s Makerspace offers classes in jewelry making, crocheting and other makerspace activities.