AWS launches Student Rewards for university students

AWS has launched Student Rewards on AWS Builder Centre for verified university students, backed by more than $500 million in committed resources.

The programme gives eligible students access to AWS credits, a year of premium Skill Builder access and a voucher for an AWS Foundational Certification exam. Students can unlock rewards by taking part in the Builder Centre community as they learn and share their work.

To qualify, students must be aged 18 or over and enrolled in higher education. Verification is handled through SheerID, with most checks completed within minutes.

AWS puts the total potential value for each student at up to $579. That includes $30 in AWS credits, a $100 certification voucher and 12 months of premium Skill Builder access, valued at $449.

AWS Builder Centre is an online community for developers at different stages of experience. Users can access hands-on workshops, publish articles, share projects and create a public profile, while community spaces are organised by topic and region.

Student Rewards adds benefits on top of those existing features. After completing profile verification, students receive 12 months of premium Skill Builder access. Further rewards are tied to badges earned through publishing articles, commenting and staying active on the platform.

Student push

The launch is part of a wider AWS effort to reach university students as demand for cloud and artificial intelligence skills grows. Its student-led Builder Groups now operate at universities in more than 60 countries.

These groups bring students together to explore cloud computing, work on projects and build skills with peers. AWS is using Builder Centre to connect training, community participation and certification in a single student offering.

Kim Majerus highlighted the scale of the investment in a statement.

"We're putting more than $500 million behind the next generation of cloud and AI talent; giving university students around the world hands-on workshops, cloud credits, and certification vouchers to get them building, not just learning. Through Student Rewards on AWS Builder Centre, students go from curious to certified - and walk into interviews with real skills employers actually need. That's not just access. That's a career accelerator!" said Kim Majerus, Vice President of Global Education and Local Government at AWS.

Access model

The programme is structured around participation rather than a one-off grant. Students begin by verifying their status and completing a Builder Centre profile, which unlocks premium training access, before progressing through milestones tied to community engagement.

This approach links educational material to visible activity on the platform, including article publishing and discussion. It also gives AWS a way to encourage repeat use of Builder Centre while expanding its reach among students who may later use its cloud services in coursework or employment.

Premium Skill Builder access includes more than 900 courses, hands-on labs, certification exam preparation and game-based learning, according to AWS. The training is positioned as a way for students to build practical knowledge before seeking formal credentials.

Rick Suttles, who leads AWS Builder Centre, also tied the initiative to practical learning.

"Students who build things today shape what comes next. We believe the best way to learn cloud and AI is to build something. This back-to-school season we're putting over $500 million into credits, training, and certifications," said Rick Suttles.