How to Earn Free Gift Cards in College With Shopkick

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Let’s face it — college life is all about juggling tight budgets and making the most of every dollar. Between buying groceries, dorm supplies, textbooks, and the occasional late-night snack, expenses add up fast. But what if you could earn free gift cards in college just by doing your usual errands?

That’s where Shopkick comes in.

Shopkick is your ultimate sidekick for turning everyday shopping into real rewards — like gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, Target, and more. Whether you’re grabbing snacks at Walmart or browsing online at Best Buy or Ulta Beauty, you’ll earn points (called kicks) just for doing what you already do.

Turn Errands Into Free Gift Cards

Picture this: you’re running to Target for snacks and dorm essentials, and by the time you check out, you’ve already earned rewards toward your next gift card. That’s exactly how Shopkick helps you earn free gift cards in college — no extra effort required.

Here’s how it works:

Scan items in-store. Visit stores like Walmart, CVS, or Target, open the app, and scan featured items. No purchase required!
Submit receipts. Bought something? Snap a photo of your receipt through the app to earn kicks
Link your accounts. Shop online at Walmart, Target, and more retailers, and earn kicks automatically

Kick tip: Every 250 kicks = $1 in rewards. That might not sound like much, but you can easily rack up hundreds of kicks in a single shopping trip. For example, 1,250 kicks = a $5 gift card — hello, Starbucks run!

Make Every Dollar Work Harder

College budgets can feel tight — but Shopkick helps you stretch every dollar while still enjoying the things you love. It’s the easiest way to earn free gift cards in college without changing your routine.

Here’s how you can maximize your kicks:

Earn rewards on snacks: Whether it’s granola bars, ramen, or late-night chips, you can earn kicks on the snacks you buy anyway
Grab cleaning and laundry essentials: Earn kicks for stocking up on detergent, disinfecting wipes, or tissues
Scan while you browse: Just hanging out in Target with friends? Open Shopkick and scan a few items to earn kicks — no spending necessary
Redeem for gift cards: Save up your kicks and redeem them for gift cards to Amazon, Best Buy, or Target when you need a study break treat or a little self-care splurge

With Shopkick, it’s like getting rewarded just for showing up to do your errands.

Your Campus Survival Kit (Powered by Shopkick)

Earn free gift cards in college while keeping your dorm stocked and your essentials covered. Shopkick fits seamlessly into your campus routine — no extra steps required.

Here’s how to integrate Shopkick into your daily college routine:

Target runs, reimagined: Scan featured products while grabbing school supplies or snacks
CVS receipts are gold. Cold meds during flu season? Candy before a late-night study session? Upload those receipts
Late-night food orders: Shopkick partners with select services, so you might even earn kicks from your next pizza order
Versatile rewards. Use your kicks for gift cards toward self-care, grocery runs, or a surprise coffee for your roommate

Pro tip: Set a weekly kick goal. For example, earn 1,250 kicks each week and cash out a $5 gift card for coffee, dorm decor, or dorm snacks.

Shopkick: Your Budget-Friendly College Companion

College life doesn’t mean giving up what you love — and with Shopkick, it doesn’t mean blowing your budget either. You can earn free gift cards in college for things you’re already buying. Just scan, submit receipts, or shop online and start racking up kicks.

Download the Shopkick app today and turn everyday errands into rewards — so you can live your best college life, treat yourself, and stay on budget.

Sam Alvarez

Sam is a writer and marketing manager at Shopkick who loves a good deal almost as much as a good iced coffee. Her favorite place to earn kicks? Target, of course!

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