10 Great Gift Cards for College Students

Need a gift idea for a college student? Here are 10 gift cards that any college student would appreciate. Gift cards for specific purchases show that you have put some thought into your gift and you won't have to worry whether it's something they already have. These gift cards are perfect for college students who are typically living on a tight budget.

#1 Give the gift of gas... prepaid, that is. Most major gas stations offer prepaid gas cards. All you have to do is search the internet to find out which gas stations are near your recipient's college campus. With rising gas prices, your college student will certainly appreciate it.

#2 Pizza. Late night studying can bring on serious pizza cravings. Satisfy your college student's hunger pangs with a prepaid pizza delivery gift card. Every time they bite into a delicious slice, they will think of you. There are several pizza chains that offer gift cards, such as Dominos, Papa Johns, and Pizza Hut.

#3 Bookstore. Books are a must-have for any college student. Help them out a little with a prepaid gift card from their campus bookstore or a nearby bookstore retailer. When they finish the book, they can resell it for some cash, too! Two gifts for the price of one, what a great idea.

#4 Music downloads. College students everywhere have such eclectic listening tastes, so why not let them choose? There are many gift card sources for online music downloads. Visit this website for specific information on several music gift card providers, such as iTunes, Walmart, and Zunes.

#5 Computer Store. Students today are computer savvy and rely on hardware and software to get through school. Computer store gift cards can be purchased in various denominations to suit your spending budget. Computer supplies such as blank CDs, DVDs, and USB flash drives are relatively inexpensive but come in very handy when writing papers, creating graphics for art class, or saving pdf articles for research.

#6 Pharmacy. Cough, cold, flu...it happens, usually during stressful times throughout the semester, like midterms and finals. Help your college student stay healthy with vitamins and over-the-counter medications to relieve their symptoms so they can get back to class. Major pharmacies like Walgreens offer prepaid shopping cards. Just make sure to purchase one from a store in their college town.

#7 Office Supply Store. Binders, notebooks, pens, paper, and the ever-present highlighter are college students favorite things. Well, at least necessary things. Help them do their best by giving the gift of much needed supplies. Check out Office Depot gift cards online for more information.

#8 Clothing. Most college students generally don't have the extra money to buy new clothes. Pick a gift card from a trendy shop with lots of college-age apparel in their area. If they belong to a sorority or fraternity, find an online retailer that specializes in Greek clothing. They will love you for it!

#9 Coffee Shop. Java, I believe, is a vital necessity for most college students. Early morning classes and late night study sessions beg for a good cup of coffee. Many student unions have a major coffee retailer on site, such as Starbucks. If not, choose a coffee shop near campus. They will be willing to walk or drive for a free mocha, cappuccino, or latte, trust me.

#10 Movie Rentals. Okay, everyone needs a break now and then. A movie rental gift card will let your college student relax alone or with friends while watching a movie of their choice. Most college towns have a major movie rental outlet, such as Blockbuster Video. Movie rentals are relatively inexpensive, so even a $20 gift card will pay for several movies.