Shopping on Amazon with free two-day shipping is incredibly convenient, and when you add in all the other benefits, an Amazon Prime subscription can seem like an indispensable part of modern life. But the subscription price of $139 for a year, or $14.99 monthly, can be too high a bar for entry. That's why Amazon has discounted Prime memberships by up to 50% for students, those with a valid EBT card, and Medicaid recipients. Here's what you need to know about these discounts.

Try Amazon Prime for Free!

Right now, Amazon is offering a 30-day Prime membership for FREE, aka $0. The special membership is a great way to try out the service ahead of Amazon's much-hyped Prime Day sale. Subscribers get all the amazing benefits of Amazon Prime, including:

• Same-day, one-day, and two-day delivery on millions of items
• Access to Amazon Prime Video with award-winning TV shows and movies
• Ad-free music and podcasts on Amazon Music
• Prime Reading
• Prescription savings at 60,000 pharmacies, including Walgreens, CVS
• Exclusive discounts on groceries at Amazon Fresh stores

Amazon Prime Student Discount

College students can get Amazon Prime Student for FREE for 6 months, after that it costs just $7.49 a month or just $69 a year. For that price, get all the Prime benefits, including free two-day shipping, unlimited movies and TV shows on Prime Video, unlimited music streaming, unlimited reading on any device, unlimited photo storage, and free same-day delivery in eligible areas.

To qualify for the student discount you will need to enter a valid .edu email address and give the year you expect to graduate. If you don't have a .edu email address, you will need to provide a scan, photo, or screenshot of one of the following:

• Your student ID displaying the current term or an expiration date; just a student ID number is not valid
• Your transcript or class list for the current term with your name and your school’s name on it
• Your tuition bill for the current term with your name and your school’s name on it
• An official acceptance letter for the upcoming term (must include matriculation date)

Other deals students will like:

• Get a 6-month free Prime Student trial membership
• Rent, buy, or sell textbooks and save up to 90%
• Amazon deals on school supplies
• Deals on computers and accessories

Amazon Prime EBT Card-Holder Discount

Those with a valid EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card can get all the same Prime services for $6.99 a month (there is no discount for an annual subscription). You must re-qualify for this discount every 12 months and you can only qualify for it for up to 48 months. Government programs that issue EBT cards include:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Other programs by state

Find Out if You Qualify for an Amazon Prime Discount

To qualify, the card holder must enter their EBT number and the state it was issued by, as well as upload an image of the EBT card and confirm the card is current and valid. It's also important to remember that while an EBT card is required to qualify for this discount, you cannot pay for Prime with it. Try the Subscribe & Save program to save up to 15% on select reoccurring purchases.

Amazon Prime Medicaid Discount

This is the newest of Amazon discounts. Medicaid recipients can get Prime for $6.99 a month for up to four years, but must re-qualify every 12 months. To qualify, Medicaid recipients must upload an image of their Medicaid card and confirm that it's currently valid.

Amazon Military Discount

Amazon is not currently offering a military discount, but that could change. In year's past, Amazon has announced a special Veterans Day Prime membership discount. Previously, active-duty troops, and Guard and Reserve members were eligible for an annual Amazon Prime membership for $79, or $40 off. Prime members who were eligible for the discount could renew their annual subscription using the Veterans Day discount. Check back often to see if Amazon ever offers this military discount.