The University Network Pads The Wallets Of College Students Nationwide

NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As college students finalize their back-to-school preparations, The University Network (TUN) defrays the costs of everyday college living expenses through its nationwide roster of student discounts and deals, which are available via its website www.TUN.com and its free mobile application "TUN Student Discounts" (available on iPhone & Android).  With more than 12,000 participating merchants, providing nearly 85 percent of U.S. college students with daily discounts, TUN's discounts target lifestyle categories including bars, fitness, beauty, food, retail, arts and entertainment, recreation and more.  TUN helps students save money daily when shopping at independent retailers and national brands including Banana Republic, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Club Monaco, City Sports and AMC Theaters.

According to the 2014 College Explorer Study, the approximately 22 million college students that will be entering the 2014-2015 school year comprise $163 billion in discretionary spending power, which translates into the average student spending $617 on lifestyle choices monthly.  If TUN is able to save students 10 percent on lifestyle spending, college students across the United States would save roughly $1.35 billion per month.

"As parents and students struggle with the rising cost of tuition and living expenses, TUN enables students to continue their everyday lifestyle at a more affordable rate.  Easily accessible to on-the-go students, our app allows students to save on discretionary spending.  We target popular merchants in and around campuses and encourage students to share the TUN discounts with friends to receive additional incentives," commented Peter Corrigan, founder and CEO of The University Network.

TUN has begun its rollout of a point-driven social rewards program just in time for back-to-school.  Designed for students to help other students save, and foster positive relations between students and local businesses, TUN's program offers students the opportunity to earn free goods and services by inviting friends to join the network, share deals and discounts, check-in at participating businesses, or take a photo at the merchant's location.  Students can redeem their points for complimentary goods or services such as a haircut, meal or yoga class from the several hundred merchants participating in the rewards program.  TUN introduced the rewards program in NY, Chicago, Boston and LA, and will be expanding it nationwide throughout the fall.

TUN is free and can be downloaded by searching "TUN Student Discounts" in Google Play or the App Store.  To learn more about TUN, or to access discounts online, visit www.TUN.com.

About The University Network
The University Network (TUN) is a company that offers college students deals and discounts to more than 12,000 participating merchants nationwide through its free mobile application "TUN Student Discounts" and website TUN.com. Additionally, TUN boasts opportunities to earn free products and services through its social rewards point system. To learn more about TUN, visit www.TUN.com.

SOURCE The University Network