Best Freebies for Graduates in 2026 | Free Food, Gift Cards, Memberships & More!
Celebrate scholarly accomplishments with hot deals and freebies. Check out this list of deals and FREE stuff for graduates in 2026! Some of these free things for graduating seniors can also be used as graduation gift ideas!
Cheers, 2026 graduates! 🎊 🎓
We’re so proud of how far you’ve come – and you’re not the only one celebrating! Your favorite restaurants are offering special deals and freebies for graduates (and gift-givers, too).
Check out our list to see what’s available, and keep an eye out as more offers roll in!
Special deals & free stuff for graduates in 2026:
Get a free $10 bonus from Applebee’s.
Through June 29th, you can earn a $10 bonus card with your online or in-store purchase of $50 in Applebee’s gift cards. Bonus cards have an expiration date just like a coupon.
Receive free bonus cards from Auntie Annie’s.
Through May 10th, you can score TWO $5 bonus reward for every $25 you spend on Auntie Annie’s gift cards! The bonus cards can be used through July 31st (limit 1 per customer, per transaction). A rewards account (free to join) is needed for bonus card redemption.
Get up to $60 in bonuses from Benihana.
Through May 10th, Benihana is running two gift card promotions. Spend $50 on gift cards and get a $10 promotional card, or spend $200 on gift cards and get a $60 promotional card! Promotional cards are valid 5/11/25 – 8/31/25.
Treat yourself to a $10 Bonus Card when you buy $50 in eGift Cards to BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is having a special promotion through June 21st! Buy $50 in eGift Cards and you’ll receive a $10 Bonus Card that can be used from 6/22/2026 to 7/13/2026.
Collect a $5 bonus from Bob Evans.
Through June 21st, you can get a $5 bonus when you buy $25 in Bob Evans gift cards! Bonus cards are valid 6/22/26 – 7/31/26.
Every grad gets a FREE Buca di Beppo cannoli in-restaurant! 🎉
Celebrate your big day in a big way – no cooking required! Every graduate who dines in at Buca di Beppo gets a FREE cannoli. Need catering and to-go packages? Score a free half pan of cannolis on a $100+ order.
Many car dealerships offer grads a great deal on a set of new wheels.
Car companies want the business of new graduates. If you need a new car to get you to your new job, check out the offers below:
- Acura – Acura has a 2026 graduate offer of $500 in savings.
- BMW – Grads can snag a good rate plus $1,000 towards the purchase of a new BMW.
- Ford – Recent graduates and undergrads within 2 years of graduating can receive a special cash back reward from many Ford dealerships, often between $500 and $750.
- Hyundai – Recent college graduates can receive $400 towards a new purchase or lease.
- Nissan – Get $500 cash back on top of other offers through the Nissan College Grad Program.
- Toyota – New grads can get a $500 rebate plus financing from Toyota.
Get a $20 bonus from The Cheesecake Factory.
Through May 10, 2026, you’ll receive a $10 Bonus Card when you purchase $50 in The Cheesecake Factory gift cards online in a single transaction. Bonus cards are valid 5/11/26 – 6/3/26.
Grab a $5 bonus from Cinnabon.
Through May 10th, you’ll receive TWO $5 reward codes when you spend $25 in Gift Cards or eGift Cards under one transaction at Cinnabon. The Reward Codes are valid for redemption 5/3/26 – 7/31/26.
Hosting a graduation party and need a decoration? Score a free graphic from Craft House SVG.
The website Craft House SVG is offering a few free graduation graphics for college graduates and graduating high school seniors (for personal use only). These graphics are perfect for making graduation decorations or announcements. You can get the graphic for free and print it at home or at your local print shop.
Get a $5 bonus coupon from Denny’s.
Through June 21st, you’ll receive a $5 bonus coupon when you buy a $25 Denny’s gift card online.
Snag a $10 bonus from Famous Dave’s.
Through June 21st, you’ll get a $10 e-bonus card with every online purchase of $50 in Famous Dave’s gift cards. E-bonus cards are valid 4/21/26 – 6/21/26.
First Watch is giving out $10 Bonus Bucks to those who buy $50 in gift cards.
For a limited time, you’ll receive $10 in Bonus Bucks when you spend $50 on First Watch gift cards.
Wear your cap & gown to participating Golden Corral locations for a free meal.
Grads can stop by Golden Corral in their cap and gown to claim a buffet and beverage at participating locations. This offer varies by location, so call your local restaurant ahead of time to see if they’re participating!
Score a $5 bonus card when you buy a $25 IHOP gift card.
Through June 28th, you’ll receive a $5 bonus card when you purchase a $25 IHOP gift card. The bonus card is valid through 8/28/26.
Grads get a BOGO deal at Insomnia Cookies.
In the past, graduates could enjoy one free Classic cookie from Insomnia Cookies when they bought a second Classic cookie. You do need to wear your cap and gown to claim this offer, though!
Buy $50 in gift cards at Logan’s Roadhouse for just $40.
Through May 8th, score a $50 gift card for just $40 at Logan’s Roadhouse.
Get a free cupcake from Magnolia Bakery.
Past graduates of any age are typically eligible for one free classic cupcake in-store when they stop by in their cap and gown or with their diploma.
Get a $25 McAlister’s Deli gift card for just $20.
Through June 10th, score a $25 gift card for just $20 at McAlister’s Deli.
Miller’s Ale House is giving bonus cards with gift card purchases!
Buy a $50 Miller’s Ale House gift card for your grad, and you’ll receive a $10 bonus gift card to use from June 29th through July 31st, 2026 and a second $10 bonus gift card to use from August 1st through 30th, 2026.
Outback Steakhouse is offering a $10 bonus card to anyone purchasing a $50 gift card.
Through June 21st, you’ll receive a $10 bonus card when you spend $50 on an Outback Steakhouse gift card. Bonus cards are valid from June 22nd to August 23rd.
Get an $8 bonus card at Panda Express when you buy $30 in gift cards.
Need a gift for the graduate? Hurry to Panda Express by May 11th and buy $30 in gift cards. You’ll receive an $8 bonus card for you or your graduate. Be sure to redeem your bonus by July 31st.
Red Robin is giving away $10 in Bonus Buck Rewards to those who spend $50 on a gift card for a graduate.
Does your grad love endless fries? Head on over to Red Robin by June 21st and scoop up a $50 gift card. In return, you’ll earn $10 in Bonus Bucks. If you don’t live near your graduate, that’s okay! The offer is available for digital gift cards, too!
Subway is giving out a free sub to those buying $25 gift cards.
For a limited time, you can buy a $25 gift card from Subway, and you’ll score a free 6″ sub through 6/30/2026.
Get a FREE or discounted membership to several professional organizations.
Many professional organizations offer free or discounted memberships to recent graduates. Here are just a few of those organizations:
- The Society of Petroleum Engineers – Grads get 1 year of FREE membership.
- National Society of Professional Engineers – Graduates get a discounted membership for the first 4 years after graduation, and the first year is a whopping 80% off.
- The American Psychological Association – Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent grads can all get discounted memberships for at least the first year.
- American Society of Civil Engineers – High school graduates headed to college can score a FREE membership.
- American Planning Association – New undergraduates and graduate students can get a FREE membership.
Looking for more free things for high school seniors or college graduates? They can snag over 100 student discounts!
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