Apple’s Back to School Promotions have been a regular occurrence, but this year’s event has some new twists. The promotion started in mid-July, a departure from its usual June kickoff, and is shorter, ending on September 24, 2026.
One significant change is the extended end date. Apple quietly updated it to September 24, 2026, giving buyers more time to purchase a new MacBook or iPad for the upcoming school year.
The qualifying products include MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Air. While any configuration of these models qualifies, more affordable options like iPad, iPad mini, and MacBook Neo are not included.
Apple’s Back to School Promotion doesn’t offer deeper discounts but provides a bonus with the purchase of a qualifying product. This year, buyers can receive Apple Gift Cards instead of free accessories.
Students can get a $150 Apple Gift Card with a MacBook Pro purchase or a $100 Apple Gift Card with a MacBook Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Air purchase. These gift cards can be used for various Apple products and services.
The promotion is available to employees and students of educational institutions. Only employees of K–12 schools are eligible for educational pricing, with a few exceptions.
Each Mac or iPad purchase qualifies for one gift card, but students buying both can receive a gift card for each. While Apple’s products are not on sale, refurbished items offer significant savings.
For example, a refurbished 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro with a 512 GB SSD is available for $1,439, $560 less than the lowest-priced new model. Refurbished products are not eligible for the Back to School Promotion but offer substantial savings.
