Hold Off on Purchases, Students: Apple's Back to School Sale Is Coming Soon

[MacRumors]

Apple has started preparing for its annual Back to School promotion in the U.S. and Canada, according to backend Apple code seen by MacRumors.

Apple holds a Back to School sale each June, providing teachers and students with free accessories or gift cards when purchasing a Mac or an iPad. The added bonus is in addition to Apple's educational discount.

Back to School sales typically start around the middle of the month, but we don't yet know the start dates for this year's sale. The sale continues through the end of September, so students do not need to rush to prepare to return to school.

Apple's Back to School promotions have varied. Last year, Apple offered eligible students, educators, and parents accessories worth up to $199 when purchasing a Mac or an iPad. Free options included the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Apple Pencil Pro, and more.

Looking back at Apple's past Back to School dates gives us an idea of when this year's sale will take place.

• 2021 - June 17 to September 27, free AirPods
• 2022 - June 24 to September 26, gift card up to $150 U.S.
• 2023 - June 5 (U.S.)/June 26 (Canada) to October 2, gift card up to $150 U.S.
• 2024 - June 20 to September 30, gift card up to $150 U.S.
• 2025 - June 17 to September 30, free accessory worth up to $199

The Back to School sale typically takes place around WWDC, and in three of the last five years, it has started 8 to 10 days after the WWDC keynote. With the 2026 keynote set to take place on June 8, we're likely to see the sale start the week of June 15.

Students who are planning to purchase a new Mac or iPad may want to hold off until Apple's Back to School sale begins to get an added accessory or gift card.

In past years, MacBooks, iPads, and iMacs have been eligible for a free add-on with purchase.

Apple holds the promotion through its online education store and Apple retail locations. Students attending or accepted to a higher-education institution, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, and employees at K–12 schools and higher-education institutions are eligible.

Earlier this year, Apple began requiring UNiDAYS verification for educational discounts in the United States and Canada. Educational purchases now require academic status verification through an email address from an educational institution, a student or staff photo ID, or another valid educational document.

Apple actually holds two Back to School sales per year, with one aimed at students in Australia, New Zealand, and other Southern Hemisphere markets. This year's January Back to School sale saw Apple offering students free AirPods, Apple Pencils, and other accessories.

After the U.S. and Canada Back to School sales launch, Apple typically extends them to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia a few weeks later.

Article Link: Hold Off on Purchases, Students: Apple's Back to School Sale Is Coming Soon

 

[david_n_n]

Can people who recently graduated still just bring their older student IDs to an Apple Store and buy that way? Asking for a friend.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Can people who recently graduated still just bring their older student IDs to an Apple Store and buy that way? Asking for a friend.

If it still has a valid expiration date and/or you can still receive email at a school address.

 

[dandyryan]

if you told me a decade ago apple would be selling $499 macbook neos with free airpods i wouldnt believe you

 

[DocMultimedia]

Still always good to check Amazon prices. Sometimes that still gives you a better deal.

 

[EugW]

if you told me a decade ago apple would be selling $499 macbook neos with free airpods i wouldnt believe you

We shall see if the Neo is included in the promotion, and if so, if it will get a good promotion.

Last year the Mac mini was excluded from the promotion completely.

 

[warriors2017]

We shall see if the Neo is included in the promotion, and if so, if it will get a good promotion.

Last year the Mac mini was excluded from the promotion completely.

Buy a Neo get wired earpods 😂

 

[Le Big Mac]

Kind of funny the back to school promo starts before many schools are letting out for the summer.

 

[Ben11]

I Wonder what they’ll give with the Neo and how they’ll market it

 

[Ben11]

Still always good to check Amazon prices. Sometimes that still gives you a better deal.

Or eBay from the RIGHT SELLERS

 

[dricci]

Kind of funny the back to school promo starts before many schools are letting out for the summer.

I grew up somewhere where school got out in June, and started in September after labor day. Now I live somewhere where schools get out in May and start in August. It's still weird to me, because August will always still be summer in my mind.

 

[Apple.Fanatic]

I still remember the days of getting a free printer and iPod Touch! 🙂

 

[dricci]

I still remember the days of getting a free printer and iPod Touch! 🙂

Just a simple mail in rebate, be sure to photo copy your receipt and cut the barcode off of your printer's box!

 

[satchmo]

We shall see if the Neo is included in the promotion, and if so, if it will get a good promotion.

Last year the Mac mini was excluded from the promotion completely.

Exactly.
Given the already low price and constrained supply, I'm guessing the Neo won't be included.

 

[Pcar17]

Both Amazon & Costco are discounting the newer 16gb / 512gb MacBook Air M5 by $200 to $899!

I can’t see Apple being anymore aggressive than this?

 

[svish]

Looking forward to seeing what the discounts/free item will be especially because RAM prices and SSD prices are increasing.

 

[ZZ9pluralZalpha]

I grew up somewhere where school got out in June, and started in September after labor day. Now I live somewhere where schools get out in May and start in August. It's still weird to me, because August will always still be summer in my mind.

Ah, a fellow Midwesterner!

 

[apull]

Both Amazon & Costco are discounting the newer 16gb / 512gb MacBook Air M5 by $200 to $899!

I can’t see Apple being anymore aggressive than this?

Apple always discounts by $100 on that model for students. Last year the base MacBook included free AirPods 4 with ANC. So although the price was higher strictly speaking, the value was indeed higher for people wanting AirPods. (Unless you found a way to get the AirPods for $80 after stacking deals…)

For me, I cash in Citi rewards points for Apple gift cards at 20% off every cyber Monday, so that means my total cost ends up even lower. (It would be essentially $800 plus free AirPods)

 

[Mikegwald]

school is not even out yet

 

[Kevin2055]

Apple has started preparing for its annual Back to School promotion in the U.S. and Canada, according to backend Apple code seen by MacRumors.

Apple holds a Back to School sale each June, providing teachers and students with free accessories or gift cards when purchasing a Mac or an iPad. The added bonus is in addition to Apple's educational discount.

Back to School sales typically start around the middle of the month, but we don't yet know the start dates for this year's sale. The sale continues through the end of September, so students do not need to rush to prepare to return to school.

Apple's Back to School promotions have varied. Last year, Apple offered eligible students, educators, and parents accessories worth up to $199 when purchasing a Mac or an iPad. Free options included the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Apple Pencil Pro, and more.

Looking back at Apple's past Back to School dates gives us an idea of when this year's sale will take place.

• 2021 - June 17 to September 27, free AirPods
  
• 2022 - June 24 to September 26, gift card up to $150 U.S.
  
• 2023 - June 5 (U.S.)/June 26 (Canada) to October 2, gift card up to $150 U.S.
  
• 2024 - June 20 to September 30, gift card up to $150 U.S.
  
• 2025 - June 17 to September 30, free accessory worth up to $199

The Back to School sale typically takes place around WWDC, and in three of the last five years, it has started 8 to 10 days after the WWDC keynote. With the 2026 keynote set to take place on June 8, we're likely to see the sale start the week of June 15.

Students who are planning to purchase a new Mac or iPad may want to hold off until Apple's Back to School sale begins to get an added accessory or gift card.

In past years, MacBooks, iPads, and iMacs have been eligible for a free add-on with purchase.

Apple holds the promotion through its online education store and Apple retail locations. Students attending or accepted to a higher-education institution, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, and employees at K–12 schools and higher-education institutions are eligible.

Earlier this year, Apple began requiring UNiDAYS verification for educational discounts in the United States and Canada. Educational purchases now require academic status verification through an email address from an educational institution, a student or staff photo ID, or another valid educational document.

Apple actually holds two Back to School sales per year, with one aimed at students in Australia, New Zealand, and other Southern Hemisphere markets. This year's January Back to School sale saw Apple offering students free AirPods, Apple Pencils, and other accessories.

After the U.S. and Canada Back to School sales launch, Apple typically extends them to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia a few weeks later.

Article Link: Hold Off on Purchases, Students: Apple's Back to School Sale Is Coming Soon

Wait, they haven’t left school yet

 

[MacBH928]

hol on... You buy mac neo for $599 and get accessories worth $199? The neo will end up costing $400

 

[CaptainBlue]

I doubt they'll offer anything on a Studio Display XDR?