There are 2 types of DreamSpark accounts.
The difference: https://www.dreamspark.com/Institution/Subscription.aspx
You should sign up for both to get the most free software and tools.

DreamSpark Standard

This is available to all students even if your school isn’t signed up for DreamSpark.

Let’s Get Started

Navigate to https://www.dreamspark.com/Student/

First Page — Account Info

You will be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account (hotmail.com, live.com, outlook.com). If you don’t have one make one at outlook.com.

Second Page — Confirm Student Status

There are five ways to confirm your student status.
The easiest one is to use your school email address.

Download Free Software

1. Go back to https://www.dreamspark.com/Student/.
   Make sure you’re signed in on your outlook.com account you used for DreamSpark Standard.
2. Click the Download Software tab
3. Go to the student software catalog!

Enjoy your free software!

I would recommend getting Microsoft Azure
(You get free credits to host your web app)

DreamSpark Premium

This is only available if your school has signed up for this.
It provides extra free software on top of the regular DreamSpark Standard like windows 10.

DreamSpark Premium is only available to students in STEM departments.
If you’re in the faculty of engineering or you study computer science. You’re probably eligible.

Check if you’re eligible

1. Navigate to https://www.dreamspark.com/Student/
2. Click More Software Through your School
3. If your school has a web store for your program/faculty this means you’re eligible

Click the web store that matches your program/faculty

Click Request an Account

Use your school email address to request a DreamSpark Premium account.

You will receive an email with a link to create a DreamSpark Premium account.

Now you have access to a bunch of free software!

Bonus: Office 365 Education

Office 365 is free for some university students.
Microsoft office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc) and other cloud tools.

Enter your school email address to check if you’re eligible.
https://products.office.com/en-CA/student

If you encounter difficulties signing up

Try opening an incognito window and doing the sign up process from there

Other troubleshooting steps

1. Go on outlook.com, make sure you are logined in on the correct email
2. Disable pop up blocker
3. Disable ad block
4. Make sure flash is enabled