Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Does your Student Union have a computer store that sells Macs? I've bought my refurb MBP from my Union computer store this time last year and only paid $899. I asked them how they could sell them so cheap and the guy working there told me they were sent to them from Apple in a small quantity (100 if memory serves me). Now granted, it is a core duo and not a C2D but it does any and everything I want it to do. The only problem I've had is the battery crapped the bed a couple of months ago but it was replaced for free under the one year warranty.
 
No education discounts on refurbs, but you can still get the educ. discount on AppleCare for your new purchase.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.