Educational software is for your personal use.  It is not to be used for any commercial endeavor. If you want to buy the educational software, the easiest way is to take a course at a college, junior college etc.
You can then buy the software for educational pricing.

The software is available from the college bookstore, the internet (search for educational software) and manufacturer's web site
Most of the time the educational software is not upgradeable.

some price examples

CS3  Design Premium - $599 (educational), $1799 (retail - full version)
CS3 Design Standard - $399 (educational),  $1199 (retail - full version)
CS3 Master Collection - $999 (educatinal),  $2499 (retail - full version)