Apple has extended its Back to School 2026 promotion in the United States and Canada through Sept. 24, giving students, parents, and educators nearly a month of extra time to claim gift cards worth up to $150 alongside standard education pricing, according to reporting from Mashable and Cult of Mac.
Eligible Devices and Gift Card Values
Shoppers buying qualifying MacBooks or iPads receive digital store credit rather than cash-in-hand discounts. According to Mashable, a MacBook Pro purchase comes with a $150 Apple gift card. Meanwhile, buyers selecting a MacBook Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Air receive a $100 gift card, as reported by Cult of Mac.
The promotion stacks on top of Apple’s standard education pricing discounts. Buyers can use the issued credit toward future hardware accessories like AirPods, protective cases, App Store subscriptions, or ongoing iCloud+ storage plans, according to Mashable.
Strict Verification Rules and Exclusions
Not every Apple product qualifies for the promotion. Budget hardware—including the MacBook Neo, iPad mini, entry-level iPad models, desktop Macs, iPhones, and Apple Watches—are completely excluded from the deal, according to Cult of Mac and Mashable.
To access the offer, buyers must verify their status as a Qualified Purchaser through UNiDAYS before checking out, as noted by Mashable and Macworld. Eligible participants include current and newly accepted college or university students, college faculty and staff, K-12 employees, homeschool teachers, and parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student.
Pro Tip: Make sure your UNiDAYS account is verified before heading to the Apple Education Store online or visiting a physical Apple Store location to avoid checkout delays.
Global Rollout and Regional Differences
The promotion launched later than in previous years following component price hikes. Macworld reported that while 2025’s U.S. promotion began in mid-June, the 2026 North American event kicked off on July 16 and was originally slated to end on Aug. 27 before Apple pushed the deadline to Sept. 24. Cult of Mac noted that the delay followed steep price increases across Mac and iPad lineups driven by rising DRAM and NAND costs.
International offers vary significantly by region. While North America and parts of Asia receive gift cards, other markets get direct hardware bundles. According to Cult of Mac, customers in China, Singapore, and Vietnam receive a second-generation AirTag four-pack with eligible MacBooks or iPads, while buyers in India can choose between a free AirTag four-pack or AirPods Pro, alongside a complimentary Apple Pencil for iPad Pro and iPad Air purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the extended Apple Back to School sale end?
The promotion runs through Sept. 24 in the United States and Canada, according to Mashable and Macworld.
Who is eligible to buy from the Apple Education Store?
Current and newly accepted higher education students, parents buying for those students, faculty, staff, and K-12 or homeschool employees verified via UNiDAYS qualify for the deal, as reported by Mashable and Macworld.
Are iPhones and Apple Watches included in the promotion?
No. According to Cult of Mac, iPhones, Apple Watches, and budget hardware like the MacBook Neo and iPad mini are excluded from the Back to School event.
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