'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
How to get an Apple student discount
It's August, which means it's back-to-school season. Prepping to go back after months of summer break can be stressful, especially when you start to see all the school-related bills stack up. Having just been a student myself, I know that technology is often a necessity on the back-to-school list, but it's also a large part of those bills.
If you're looking to invest in a new Mac or iPad, you can possibly qualify for a $150 discount with Apple's Education storefront. Here's how.
Note: For the sake of using an example without sounding repetitive, I will be using the Macbook Air with an M1 Chip to demonstrate the steps. The steps may vary slightly depending on if you choose a Mac or iPad.
Is there a student or teacher verification requirement?
In the United States, Apple employs the honor system with this special offer -- there is no formal process to verify your student or teacher status.
If purchasing in the UK, however, you do have to provide proof that you are an active student or teacher. Register with UNiDAYS to get verified before you purchase.
How to access Apple's education pricing
Step 1: Go to Apple's Education Store
Open your internet browser on either your computer or mobile device to Apple's Education Storefront. This page is for students and teachers to receive their discounts on the selected products.
Step 2: Select the device you want
Before selecting, you may want to research which Mac or iPad works best for you. Check out ZDNet's picks for the best Apple student deals for back-to-school for some tips and tricks in picking your new device.
Once you decide which product you want to buy, click on the text under the product.
Step 3: Choose your configuration (color, storage, etc.)
You now have the opportunity to select from different colors or upgrade to a different chip. If you decide to upgrade, there is a difference in price. Colors, however, do not change the original cost.
Once you have made your selections, press the blue Select button at the bottom of the page.
Now it's time to select your Mac or iPad's memory, storage, and keyboard language. If you're not sure which amount of memory or storage is right for your needs, click the "How much memory/ storage is right for you?" hyperlink under the respective title headings for further evaluation.
Note that if you go over the standard 8GB of memory or 256 GB of storage, your selection gets more expensive.
If you select an iPad, you will select color, storage, and connectivity with the option to add free engraving or an Apple Pencil andkeyboardfor an extra charge (note, the discount does not apply to these items).
Step 4: Select your software (Macs only)
You have the chance to purchase and install the Pro Apps Bundle for Education on your Mac for $199.99. The bundle's collection includes advanced music production software, an encoding compressor for exporting videos, and two apps for advanced video editing. If you're in the music and entertainment field (or are just a passionate visual creative), you may want to consider installing this option.
Step 5: Add to bag and discover more
After making all your selections, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click the blue Add to Bag button.
The website will then take you to another page with even more options (lots of choices, I know, but we're almost there) to purchase AppleCare+, a USB-C to Lightning Cable, and a USB-C to USB Adapter. These items do not apply to the $150 off discount.
Once you have made your selections, click the Review your bag button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Step 6: Review your bag
Before placing your order, you will see the selections you have made pop up on the screen with the discounted price. Now, a laptop that was $899 is $749.
If you want to opt-in for AppleCare+ for three years and did not choose the option before, it will be offered once more at checkout.
Gift card offers
If your order qualifies for a gift card, there will be a $150 Apple gift card in your shopping cart at checkout with your product. That gift card is included in your Special Offer and will be emailed to your account within 24 hours of your confirmed pick up at an Apple Store (or once your item has been shipped to the designated address).
Not every model or product will qualify for an Apple gift card.
Step 7: Check out
Finally, you're ready to check out. Apple gives you the option to pay in monthly installments with Apple Card or pay in full using whatever payment you wish.