Apple now requires verification for Education Store, adds Apple Watch with discounts
Source: 9to5Mac
Apple is rolling out two changes to the Education Store in the United States and other countries. First, Apple now requires verification for all purchases made via the Education Store in the US … so it’s no longer on the “honor system.” Meanwhile, Apple has added Apple Watch to the Education Store for the first time …
Apple’s Education Store now requires verification
Starting today, Apple requires shoppers in the United States to complete verification when making a purchase via the Education Store. This change also applies to Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Canada, and Chile. In many other markets, such as the UK, Apple already required verification.
As a refresher, people eligible for Apple’s Education Store include current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers across all grade levels.
Apple is teaming up with UNiDAYS to handle the verification process. Students and educators will be asked to create a UNiDAYS ID and then verify their academic status by logging in to their school’s academic portal. Alternatively, users can upload a photo of their student or faculty IDs.
Homeschool teachers will need to provide an identity document (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and one homeschool document (e.g., Letter of Intent or Letter of Acknowledgment).
- Most customers are verified instantly.
- Manual verification requests are answered within 24 hours.
The same verification process applies both in‑store and online for Apple Education Store shoppers.
Purchase limits (unchanged)
- Desktop: 1 per year
- Mac mini: 1 per year
- Notebook: 1 per year
- iPad: 2 per year
- Accessories: 2 accessories with Education Pricing per year
Apple Watch availability
Apple Watch is now available with discounts through the Apple Education Store, including the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. This marks the first time the Apple Watch has been offered via the Education Store.
It’s 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
- United States
- Canada
- Chile
You can view pricing and more on Apple’s website in your respective country.
United States pricing
| Model | Starting price | Previous price | Amazon link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 11 | $359 | $399 | Amazon: from $299 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | $719 | $799 | Amazon: from $779 |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | $229 | $249 | Amazon: from $219 |
9to5Mac’s Take
This is the second time Apple has attempted to require verification for the Education Store in the United States. In January 2022, Apple rolled out verification, also in partnership with UNiDAYS, but backtracked just two days later.
I’m personally surprised that Apple allowed unfettered access to the Education Store for this long in the United States. It essentially meant that anyone could visit Apple’s website and get a discount on most products.
Apple hasn’t provided any explanation for why it’s now rolling out verification to the Education Store.
Apple debuted the MacBook Neo in March at an incredible $599 starting price … or an even more impressive $499 price point for education shoppers. Reading between the lines, I’m assuming there’s at least some correlation between that and the new verification requirements.
Apple’s initial attempt to require verification in the U.S. was also marred by issues with UNiDAYS, particularly for homeschool teachers. Apple seems to have ironed out those problems with this second attempt.