Higher Education Students IN STORE
The main point to realise here is that the HE Contract does not apply. Please be clear on this- Apple are under a contractual obligation to offer discounts online/over the phone but not in store. In store discounts are down to Apple's own policy which could change. An ID card, registration letter or something like that should be fine to buy in store.
Currently, Apple appear to be happy to give ~15% off to students in store. Sometimes you have to remind them or clarify that you are a uni student not a school student etc but from what I know from people on this board and people I know in the real world (
) 15% is available- just be patient as the system is confusing and not all Apple staff will know the difference between a uni/college/school student straight off. People can usually get Applecare for ~£50 as well, but again you may need to be patient and explain.
To be crystal clear- the
3 year warranty is not available as standard in store! (One of my friend's was told it was and had to correct the salesman. As an aside be wary of going "Ah ha- you said it was so that is binding", it isn't that simple, but I won't go into that now).
Summary
If you are an FE student see if Apple has an agreement, but if not go for the normal discount.
If you are an HE student and you want Applecare you can buy in store or online/phone (just double check the correct discount has been applied).
If you are a HE student and you think the standard 3 year basic warranty is enough buy online/phone. Not in store. All students I know received an email about 90 days later saying the extended warranty is now in effect (all Macs come with 90 days phone support, so I guess they tell you then to be clear your one year phone support is in effect).
If anything is incorrect please let me know! But I hope this helps and it stops some HE students needlessly buying Applecare.
I think this is quite an important issue with much confusion (just see how many times I have posted on the subject!). If moderators agree, any chance of making this a sticky?