Apple Store education purchase verification process expands to US

Education customers in the US will need to verify eligibility to make a discounted purchase, as Apple expands its verification process to the US and other countries.

Starting on Friday, May 8, Apple has started to more strictly enforce its education pricing. Previously, while Apple Stores would verify eligibility in person, anyone was able make discounted purchases by visiting the virtual education store.

Apple has partnered with Unidays on a new verification system. Students will be able to verify their enrollment and faculty will be able provide the appropriate documentation with the new automated process.

Most will receive verification instantly. In rare cases it may take up to 24 hours to be verified before you’re able to make a purchase.

This new program will apply to buyers both in-store and online. Users shopping online can go through the portal and can complete the same forms in-store. Users are able to complete the verification first before going into the store to help expedite the process.

Some countries already had a verification process. The countries gaining verification for the first time include:

• U.S.
• Australia
• Canada
• Chile
• Hong Kong
• Turkey

This program is also is able to verify homeschool teachers. By providing the requested information, including identification numbers and other materials, they can be approved more easily.

The new verification program will help curb people from abusing the education pricing. This is especially important on new, lower-margin items like the MacBook Neo that offers a substantial 16% discount on the base model.

Apple has a similar program for military member purchase. That has a different verification process, that has been in place for some time.

On Thursday, Apple also updated its education program to include Apple Watch for the first time. Discounts are about 10%.

Lower prices can be found elsewhere

There are often steeper discounts on Apple products at third-party resellers that are available to the general public, so you don’t have to go through the EDU verification process.

At press time, B&H has the standard 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro with Apple’s M5 Pro chip marked down to $1,949 via an instant rebate and in-cart coupon. This beats the EDU price by $100.

The 2026 M5 MacBook Air is on sale from $949 at Amazon, which is $50 cheaper than Apple EDU pricing.

And for Apple Watch shoppers, Amazon is taking $100 off multiple Series 11 styles.

It’s worth checking out our Apple Price Guides for the latest specials across iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and more.