Apple has officially extended its 2026 Back to School promotion through September 24, according to reports from MacRumors, pushing the expiration date nearly a month past its originally scheduled August 27 close. The annual campaign gives qualifying university students, educators, and staff members promotional gift cards or hardware bundles alongside standard education discounts when purchasing select Mac and iPad models.
Regional Promotions and Gift Card Values
The extended promotion runs across multiple global markets, though the specific incentives vary by region. According to MacRumors, Apple is issuing digital gift cards in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. In the United States, buyers qualify for a $150 gift card with the purchase of an eligible MacBook Pro, while a $100 gift card is attached to MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Air purchases.
Hardware bundles replace gift cards in other territories. Customers in China, Singapore, and Vietnam receive a pack of four AirTags with select device purchases. Meanwhile, buyers in India can choose between a pack of four AirTags, AirPods 4, or an Apple Pencil Pro depending on the specific computer or tablet they select, as reported by MacRumors.
Eligible Devices and Verification Requirements
Not all hardware in Apple’s current lineup qualifies for the promotion. According to MacRumors, the MacBook Neo, iPad mini, entry-level iPad, desktop Macs like the iMac and Mac mini, and all iPhone models are excluded from the Back to School event.
To access both the promotional items and the underlying educational pricing, buyers must verify their student or faculty status through UNiDAYS. The verification service checks enrollment or employment credentials at participating higher education institutions before the transaction can be completed on Apple’s online education store or in retail locations.
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