Hello, I am aware this subreddit is about wordpress not .com but I don't know where else to find help. For this year, I have a responsibility to run a student-led college publication on WordPress .com (Premium Plan).

Renewal cost is way over what I can pay, $72. Happiness engineer gave me 10% off after a lot of pushing, but I still need more. I am informed by the authorities that I can't downgrade the plan nor are they willing to reimburse. I am really lost. I cannot lose the position but it's too expensive. I am not from the USA, so the amount is alot. Please help me get renewal-specific or ways to get further discounts? Thank you.