Apple is implementing two changes to the Education Store in the United States and other countries. First, Apple now requires verification for all purchases made through the Education Store…so it’s no longer on the “honor system.”
Meanwhile, Apple has added the Apple Watch to the Education Store for the first time…
Apple’s Education Store now requires verification
Starting today, Apple requires buyers in the United States to complete verification when making a purchase through the Education Store. This change also applies to Australia, Hong Kong, Türkiye, Canada and Chile. In many other markets around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Apple already required verification.
As a refresher, those eligible for Apple’s Education Store include current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels.
Apple is partnering with UNiDAYS to manage the verification process. Students and educators will be asked to create a UNiDAYS ID and then verify their academic status by logging into their school’s academic portal. Alternatively, users can upload a photo of their student or teacher IDs.
Meanwhile, homeschool teachers will need to provide identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. They will also need to provide a homeschool document, such as a letter of intent (LOI) or letter of acknowledgment.
Most customers will be verified instantly and those requiring manual verification will receive a response within 24 hours.
The same verification process applies both in-store and online for Apple Education Store buyers.
Apple Education Store purchase limits do not change:
- Desktop computer: one (1) can be purchased per year
- Mac mini: you can purchase one (1) per year
- Notebook: You can purchase one (1) per year.
- iPad: Two (2) can be purchased per year
- Accessories: Two (2) educationally priced accessories can be purchased per year.
Apple Watch availability
Second, Apple Watch is now available with discounts through the Apple Education Store. This includes Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
This is the first time the Apple Watch is available through Apple’s Education Store. It is available in the following markets:
- Australia
- China (via AliPay)
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- France
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- Saudi Arabia
- Spain
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- US
- Canada
- Chili
You can see pricing and more on Apple’s website at their respective country.
9to5Mac’s opinion
This is the second time Apple has tried to require verification for the Education Store in the United States. In January 2022Apple launched verification, also in partnership with UNiDAYS, but backtracked just two days later.
Personally, I’m surprised that Apple has allowed unlimited access to the Education Store for so long in the United States. Basically, it meant that anyone could visit Apple’s website and get a discount on most products.
Apple has not provided any explanation as to why it is now rolling out verification to the Education Store.
Apple introduced the MacBook Neo in March at an incredible starting price of $599… or a even more impressive Priced at $499 for education buyers. Reading between the lines, I assume there is at least some correlation between that and the new verification requirements.
Apple’s initial attempt to require verification in the US was also marred by issues with UNiDAYS, particularly for homeschooling teachers. Apple seems to have fixed those problems with this second attempt.
What do you think of Apple’s decision to require verification for the Education Store in the United States and other countries? Let us know in the comments.
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