Free AWS for Students: A Beginner's Guide to AWS Student Rewards
If you're a student who wants to learn AWS but can't afford paid courses or exam fees, this guide is for you. I'm a B.Tech AI/ML student, and I recently started using AWS Student Rewards on Builder Center. Here's how it works.
What is AWS Student Rewards?
It's a program on AWS Builder Center for verified students. Based on the official details, you can get:
12 months of AWS Skill Builder Premium (courses, labs and exam prep)
Up to $30 in AWS credits
An AWS Foundational Certification exam voucher after earning 21 Builder Center badges
Step-by-step: how to get started
Create a free AWS Builder ID. You don't need a credit card.
Sign in to AWS Builder Center.
Go to your profile and choose "Verify Student Status".
Enter your details and your college email. Verification is handled through SheerID, and you may be asked for proof of enrollment.
Complete your profile with a photo and an "About" section.
How the badges work
Builder Center badges are earned by taking part in the community, for example:
Publishing your first article
Commenting on other people's posts
Submitting or voting on Wishes (feature requests for AWS)
Keeping up activity streaks
Some of these are one-time badges that you can finish quickly. Others are streaks that take weeks or months, so it helps to start early.
My tips for beginners
Start your streaks on day one, because they run in parallel.
Leave useful comments. A real question or tip works better than "nice post."
Reply to people who answer you, because that's how conversations start.
Don't use fake accounts or engagement groups. They can get your account flagged.
What I'm doing next
I'm working toward the badges while preparing for the AWS Certified AI Practitioner exam on Skill Builder. I'll share my progress here.
Your turn
Are you also using AWS Student Rewards? Which badges did you find easiest or hardest, and any tips for staying consistent? Please share in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
It's a program on AWS Builder Center for verified students. Based on the official details, you can get:
12 months of AWS Skill Builder Premium (courses, labs and exam prep)
Up to $30 in AWS credits
An AWS Foundational Certification exam voucher after earning 21 Builder Center badges
Step-by-step: how to get started
Create a free AWS Builder ID. You don't need a credit card.
Sign in to AWS Builder Center.
Go to your profile and choose "Verify Student Status".
Enter your details and your college email. Verification is handled through SheerID, and you may be asked for proof of enrollment.
Complete your profile with a photo and an "About" section.
How the badges work
Builder Center badges are earned by taking part in the community, for example:
Publishing your first article
Commenting on other people's posts
Submitting or voting on Wishes (feature requests for AWS)
Keeping up activity streaks
Some of these are one-time badges that you can finish quickly. Others are streaks that take weeks or months, so it helps to start early.
My tips for beginners
Start your streaks on day one, because they run in parallel.
Leave useful comments. A real question or tip works better than "nice post."
Reply to people who answer you, because that's how conversations start.
Don't use fake accounts or engagement groups. They can get your account flagged.
What I'm doing next
I'm working toward the badges while preparing for the AWS Certified AI Practitioner exam on Skill Builder. I'll share my progress here.
Your turn
Are you also using AWS Student Rewards? Which badges did you find easiest or hardest, and any tips for staying consistent? Please share in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
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