Student account perks 2026: Where to find cash bonuses, takeaway vouchers and the chance to win up to £100k

Santander, Nationwide and Lloyds Bank are among the latest brands to unveil their student account perks for 2026.

With the start of a new school year just around the corner, those headed to university this autumn may be planning how to handle their finances – and searching for deals that could help them get the most out of student life.

Fortunately, several providers have already unveiled their student bank account perks ahead of the 2026/27 academic year, with cash bonuses, takeaway vouchers and competitive interest-free overdrafts all up for grabs.

£100 cash bonus + interest-free overdraft up to £3,250

NatWest is offering students a £100 cash bonus – paid within 10 days of opening its Student Account. This is a slight increase on the £85 reward available last year.

Alongside this, the account comes with a competitive interest-free overdraft of up to £2,000 in the first year of study, and up to £3,250 from the third year onwards. What’s more, customers get a free four-year tastecard membership which provides discounts on takeaways, dining out, shopping and entertainment.

£100 cash bonus + £120 of Just Eat vouchers

Another high street brand providing students with a £100 boost to their finances is Nationwide BS. To get your hands on this offer, you need to open its FlexStudent account and make sure it’s funded with at least £500 by 11 December 2026 (this could be achieved by having the first instalment of your maintenance loan paid into the account, for example). You’ll also need to make at least five debit card payments by the deadline.

As well as an interest-free overdraft of up to £1,000 in the first year (which could increase to £2,000 in the second year and a competitive £3,000 from the third year), the building society is additionally offering £120-worth of Just Eat vouchers over a 12-month period. Eligible accountholders will receive a registration code and can access a £10 voucher every month for the first year to be used online.

Furthermore, the FlexStudent account unlocks access to Nationwide BS's Flex Regular Saver Issue 7 - an exclusive regular savings account that offers 6.50% AER (variable). Customers might also be eligible for the building society's Fairer Share payment if they have a qualifying mortgage or savings. 

But, while these perks are almost identical to last year, Nationwide BS reported its FlexStudent account proved popular among students - previously attracting a 48% share of the market. 

16-25 Railcard + chance to win £100,000

Santander’s four-year 16-25 Railcard returns for another year – free to students who open its Santander Edge Student current account. This could come in handy for those moving away from home, with the average 16-25 Railcard user saving over £200 a year on train travel (amounting to savings of more than £800 over a four-year term).

The account also offers an interest-free overdraft up to £1,500 for the first three years of study (rising to £1,800 from the fourth year and up to £2,000 in the fifth year), as well as access to Santander’s Regular Saver which currently pays a market-leading 8% AER (variable; includes a bonus).

To further sweeten the deal, the provider is giving away £100,000 to one lucky student, with all other eligible accountholders receiving at least £20 as part of a new prize draw. To be in with the chance of winning, you must open the Santander Edge student current account before 16 October 2026 and make at least one debit card transaction by 31 December 2026. For every further debit card transaction made, you’ll get another entry into the draw (capped at 40 entries per month).

Other prizes are also up for grabs (as well as cashback and exclusive offers) when signing up to Santander’s free rewards programme, Santander Boosts.

Coming soon: £100 cash bonus + chance to win a year’s tuition fees

Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland will soon be entering the fray, with both providers confirming they’ll be offering a £100 cash reward to customers who open their respective Student Current Accounts between 30 July and 30 October (and deposit at least £500). Furthermore, accountholders will get a £20 Deliveroo voucher each month they make 20 or more qualifying debit card transactions between November 2026 and April 2027 (worth up to £120 across the six months in total).

Both accounts have the option of an interest-free overdraft up to £1,500 in the first three years - rising to a possible £2,000 from years four to six.

In addition to this, Lloyds Bank revealed that five students with its Student Current Account will receive the equivalent of one year’s tuition fees (£9,790) as part of a brand-new prize draw. New and existing customers are in with the chance of winning, but you must opt into the draw via the Lloyds Rewards Hub online or the mobile banking app to participate (which also unlocks access to more competitions and money off at popular retailers).