Moving into a college dorm or first apartment can get expensive quickly. Bedding, kitchen gear, cleaning supplies, desk accessories and groceries can turn a seemingly simple move into a surprisingly large bill. Amazon is now giving Prime for Young Adults members another way to offset those costs.

For a limited time through September 15, Prime for Young Adults members can earn 5% cash back on eligible purchases across everyday grocery essentials, home, kitchen and office categories. The expanded offer sits alongside existing 5% cash-back categories including beauty, apparel, personal care, PCs and electronics.

That makes the benefit particularly useful during the back-to-school and move-in period. Eligible home purchases include items such as bedding, storage solutions, decor and air purifiers, while kitchen purchases can include coffee makers, air fryers and other everyday appliances. Office essentials include calculators, printers, notebooks and desk accessories.

The temporary grocery expansion also covers the kinds of products students are likely to pick up for a dorm or apartment, including snacks, coffee, pasta, cereal, granola bars, sauces and seasonings. Amazon says the expanded categories represent the broadest cash-back selection Prime for Young Adults has offered since the program launched.

How the 5% cash back works

The reward is automatic on eligible purchases, with the 5% calculated from the final price. After an order arrives, members can sign in to Amazon and check their accumulated cash-back balance.

There is a $5 minimum balance required to redeem rewards. Once redeemed, the cash back can generally be used toward future Amazon purchases, although gift cards, digital content and Prime membership fees are excluded. Rewards cannot be applied retroactively and expire 180 days after they are earned.

Amazon also limits earnings to $100 on a single purchase and $500 during a calendar year. Cash-back categories and rates can change throughout the year, so the 5% offer on move-in essentials shouldn’t be treated as a permanent expansion of every eligible category.

The program has already generated significant rewards for young adult members. Amazon says Prime for Young Adults members have collectively earned more than $225 million in cash back since the benefit launched in 2025.

Prime for Young Adults costs half as much as regular Prime

The cash-back benefit is part of a discounted Prime membership designed for people ages 18 to 24 and higher-education students. Prime for Young Adults costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year, which Amazon says is half the price of a standard Prime membership.

Members still receive the broader Prime package, including fast delivery, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon Photos, Amazon Luna and other benefits. Amazon says Prime for Young Adults members can also access Same-Day or Next-Day Delivery on tens of millions of items.

For students moving into a dorm or young adults furnishing their first place, the combination of discounted Prime membership and temporary 5% cash back could make the program particularly useful during September’s move-in rush.

The expanded 5% cash-back offer on grocery, home, kitchen and office purchases is available through September 15, giving eligible members a relatively short window to use the benefit on their move-in shopping.