How Anyone Can Get an Apple Education Discount
Apple products are notoriously expensive: the latest MacBook Air starts at $1,099 , as does the iPhone 17 Pro . While I adore my AirPods Max , I strongly recommend that buyers wait until they go on sale to avoid spending $549 on headphones. Apple makes quality products, but they come at a price.
It’s worth noting that not all Apple products are that expensive. The new iPhone 17e starts at $599. That’s not necessarily cheap , but it’s not $1,099 either. Apple’s MacBook Neo has attracted a lot of attention not only for its price (like the 17e) but also for its affordable price for educational institutions: $499. For that price, students and teachers can get a brand-new MacBook capable of handling virtually everything you’d expect from an Apple laptop. For the rest of us, $599 is still a great price for such a device, but of course, we’d prefer to get an affordable price for educational institutions if possible.
Anyone can make purchases from the Apple Education Store.
According to Apple, access to the Education Store is limited to “current and recent college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschoolers of all levels.” But here’s the (well-known) secret about Apple’s Education Store: while discounts are intended for students, teachers, and parents, anyone can shop in the Education Store and take advantage of the same discounts. Accessing the Education Store in the US requires no identification—it’s simply a different section of the Apple Store website. Once you’re in, you’re in, and you can enjoy the same discounts as anyone else Apple intended for those discounts.
This, of course, includes the MacBook Neo, which starts at just $499 in the Education Store (for the 256GB model). But it also applies to Apple’s other Mac computers:
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MacBook Air m5: Price starts at $999 instead of $1,099.
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MacBook Pro m5 : Price starts at $1,599 instead of $1,699.
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14-inch MacBook Pro m5 : Price starts at $2,049, up from $2,199.
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16-inch MacBook Pro m5 : Price starts at $2,499, up from $2,699.
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iMac : Price starts at $1,249, up from $1,299.
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Mac mini : Price starts at $499, up from $599.
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Mac Studio : Price starts at $1,799 instead of $1,999.
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Mac Pro : Price starts at $6,599, up from $6,999.
But the discounts aren’t just for Mac computers. You’ll also find iPads with small discounts. These include:
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iPad : Price starts at $329 instead of $349.
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iPad mini : Price starts at $449 instead of $499.
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iPad Air : Price starts at $549 instead of $599.
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iPad Pro : Price starts at $899 instead of $999.
You can also find other great deals here: discounts are available on the new Apple Studio Display and Studio Display XDR, iPad accessories, and Apple Care+ plans in the Education Store. However, discounts are not available on other Apple products, although they can be purchased in the Education Store. Student prices for iPhones are the same as for Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.
How to shop in the Apple Education Store
The Apple Education Store is available to anyone online. You can access it via this link or by going to the official Apple website, scrolling down, and selecting “Shop for College” in the “For Education” section.
Keep in mind, however, that while Apple may not verify your purchase, it still intends for these items to be purchased through the Education Store. So, not only will the company require you to check a box confirming your eligibility to purchase from that store, but it also reserves the right to charge you the difference in price. Hypothetically, you could be required to pay back the $100 you saved on a MacBook Neo purchased through the Education Store, and while I’ve never heard of such a case, it’s a risk you take.
The Education Store isn’t the only way to get discounts on Apple products.
If you’re not a student and don’t feel comfortable calling yourself a student to shop at an educational store, you can still get Apple products at a discount. For those willing to buy used or unpackaged items, an Apple refurbished store is a great place . The company offers a wide selection of devices from its lineup (including iPhones), and while these aren’t new, they come with Apple’s limited one-year warranty.
You can also find significant discounts on Apple products from third-party sellers. For example, Amazon often offers great deals on MacBooks of all types , especially earlier generations. Since modern Apple Macs perform well for many years after release, this can be a great way to get a device without breaking the bank.