The Eagle Access Card issued to all USI students is the key to discounts at businesses throughout the Evansville area.

Students at USI are outfitted with an Eagles Access Card (EAC) at the beginning of their college career, which serves as both a student ID and the key to life on campus. The EAC is used to access not only the basics, like the meal plan and computer labs on campus, but can also be used at Evansville businesses to receive USI student discounts.

 CiCi’s Pizza, located at 5625 Pearl Drive, gives USI students $1 off of an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet and a drink, bringing the total price to $6.24. In order to receive the discount, students just have to show their EAC to the cashier, Manager Barbara Jackson said.  If students forget their EAC, students can just tell the cashier and they can bring it in the next time they come in, Jackson said.

“We want to get to know the students so they keep coming back the whole time they are at USI,” Jackson said.

CiCi’s Pizza is not the only restaurant in town to give USI students a discount.

The Arby’s located at 4650 University Drive also offers students a 10 percent discount off a regularly priced item when they show their EAC.

The Wendy’s restaurant located at 401 S. Boehne Camp Road also gives USI students a discount when they present their EAC.

“We have given USI students a 10 percent discount as far back as I can remember,” said Lindsey Nolan, assistant manager of Wendy’s.

The Hooters restaurant in Evansville gives students a 20 percent discount off of all food and beverages, excluding alcohol and merchandise.

G.D. Ritzy’s gives $1 off of a $5 purchase to all USI students.

Student discounts are not exclusively reserved for restaurants, but for many other types of businesses, as well. The Fantastic Sam’s Salon at 5625 Pearl Drive gives USI students a five percent discount on all haircuts.

“We have always given students a discount, which gives us a lot of USI business,” said Fantastic Sam’s Manager Tracy Stratman. “It’s a great thing.”

As college students, most live on a shoestring budget, so the discounts around the West side can help students save when they need it the most.