If you need to request a student discount from a software provider, you usually send a short email to their support team. The discount is then not switched on automatically but checked by hand. Using Linear and Readwise as examples, this guide explains which details belong in such a request, how to word it, and what to watch out for.
Short answer: Linear accepts requests for its Education Program by email at [email protected] and, according to its help page, expects them to come from a university address. Readwise gives students 50 percent off its Lite and Full plans, according to its help page. Send your proof of status to [email protected]. Whether a German university is recognised is not clearly stated on either help page. Last updated: October 2026, offers change often.
The most important points
- According to its help page, Linear gives full-time students one year of free access through its Education Program. Requests go by email to [email protected].
- According to its help page, Linear does not accept student ID cards as proof. Use a certificate of enrollment for the current semester instead.
- Readwise gives 50 percent off Lite and Full, both monthly and annual plans. A photo of your ID or an email address that proves your status is enough.
- Subscriptions bought in the iOS app are excluded from the Readwise discount.
- Neither help page gives a fixed processing time, so plan some waiting time.
When you have to ask for a student discount yourself
Many providers check student status through a verification service or a university email address and switch the discount on automatically. Other providers check requests by hand. The pricing or help page of the provider shows which route applies. The general process is explained in our guide to student status verification (in German).
The offers at a glance
The table summarises the information from the providers’ help pages. The provider lists current prices on its pricing page.
| Provider | Who is eligible | Discount or access | Proof | Request to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear (Education Program) | Full-time students at colleges and universities according to the help page, not for commercial use | One year of free access according to the provider | Proof of full-time enrollment, not a student ID card | [email protected] |
| Readwise (Lite and Full) | Students and other members of academia according to the help page | 50 percent off, monthly and annual plans, purchase via the website | A photo of your ID or an email address that proves your status | [email protected] |
How a request to Linear works
Linear designs its Education Program for colleges and universities. According to the help page, full-time students receive one year of free access. High schools, for-profit institutions and purely online education providers are not eligible. The program is also not meant for business or commercial use. If you need the workspace for your own business, the offer does not fit. Everything about the tool is in Linear for Students: Offer, Price and Use at University.
- Check whether you are a full-time student at a university and whether your workspace is meant for study projects.
- Note the name of your workspace (the slug in the URL) and the email address you use for your Linear account.
- Prepare a current certificate of enrollment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) as a PDF. According to the help page, a student ID card is not enough.
- Write to [email protected] from your university address and give your workspace name and account email.
- After confirmation, check in the billing settings which plan you have been assigned. The help page does not clearly say whether this is Basic or Business.
One detail needs attention. The help page asks for an address ending in .edu. It does not say whether a German university address ending in .de is accepted. State clearly in your email that you are enrolled at a university in Germany, and ask whether your status is recognised.
Linear also offers a 75 percent discount on Basic and Business. According to the help page, this is aimed at staff at qualifying academic institutions, not at students.
Template for a request to Linear
The template is written in English to match the language of the provider. Replace the entries in square brackets.
Subject: Linear Education Program application: [Workspace slug]
Hello Linear team,
I am a full-time student at [name of your university] and would like to apply for the Education Program for my academic software projects. Workspace slug: [Workspace slug]. Account email: [account email]. University email: [university email]. I have attached my certificate of enrollment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the current semester. Thank you very much.
Template for a request to Readwise
Readwise does not require specific wording. What matters is the proof. The tool itself is covered in Readwise Reader for Students: Offer, Price and Use. According to the help page, a photo of your ID or an email address that proves your status is enough. You do not have to show more than the check needs. On an ID photo you can cover details the provider does not need. For the general handling of personal data with digital services, see Data protection with AI tools at university.
Subject: Academic discount request for [account email]
Hello Readwise team,
I am currently enrolled as a student at [name of your university] and would like to request the academic discount for my account ([account email]). I have attached proof of my status. Thank you very much for your support.
There are two special cases. If you have already subscribed, Readwise refunds part of the amount according to its help page and applies the discount from then on. If you are in the free trial, create an account first, send your proof, and the discount is stored on that account. If you subscribed in the iOS app, the discount is excluded, so subscribe through the website instead.
When the request does not fit
Both providers check the proof themselves. A request is only worth sending if you really meet the conditions. For Linear that means no commercial workspace. For Readwise it means no subscription through the iOS app. If you only need access for a short time, first check whether a free tier is enough. An overview of digital subscriptions during your studies is in our subscription check for students (in German).
What to do if the request is refused
A refusal can happen, especially when the details or the proof are incomplete. Proceed in this order:
- Check whether the proof and the details are complete and whether the email came from the address linked to your university.
- Ask specifically which proof is accepted, and name your university.
- If the provider still refuses, check whether your university provides a campus license (Campuslizenz) for the software. An overview is in our guide to campus licenses (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Is my student ID card enough for Linear?
No. According to the help page, Linear does not accept student ID cards as proof. It names instead a proof of full-time enrollment or evidence that the institution is accredited. A certificate of enrollment for the current semester is therefore the safest choice.
Does the Readwise discount also apply in Germany?
The help page refers to students and other members of academia. It does not give a list of countries for the student discount. It is not clear from the page whether a German university is recognised. Before you subscribe, ask [email protected].
How long does the check take?
Neither the Linear nor the Readwise help page gives a fixed deadline. Send the request early, before a project starts. Complete details in the first email reduce follow-up questions.
What happens after your studies?
That depends on the provider. Linear names one year of access for its Education Program. Readwise gives no term for its discount. For what happens to subscriptions and licenses after you leave university, see our guide to the end of student status (in German).
What to do now
- Check the help or pricing page of the provider to see whether a student discount exists and which proof applies.
- Prepare the proof: for Linear the certificate of enrollment, for Readwise a photo of your ID or a status email.
- Send the request from your university address and use the matching template.
- After activation, check which plan and which price are active.
- Note the end date of the offer if the provider states one.
Related reading
- Student discounts for software and apps 2026: the overview (in German)
- Linear for students: offer, price and use during your studies (in German)
- Readwise Reader for students: offer, price and use during your studies (in German)
- Student status verification explained: SheerID, UNiDAYS, Student Beans and university email (in German)
- Unlocking all student offers: the right order in 5 steps (in German)
Sources: Linear: help page on billing and plans, section on special pricing programs (accessed October 2026) and Readwise: help page on subscriptions and discounts (accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
