If you are a student or teacher planning to buy a new Mac or iPad, your checkout process is about to look a little different. Starting today, Apple is officially requiring customers in the United States, Canada, and Chile to verify their academic status through UNiDAYS to access the Education Store. This formally marks the end of the honor system that previously allowed almost anyone to check out with educational pricing in North America.
To unlock these educational discounts, eligible shoppers will now use the UNiDAYS platform to confirm their current status. The verification process is completely digital and can be completed through the UNiDAYS website or app using an institution-provided email address, a student or staff ID card, or an official enrollment document. Most approvals happen instantly, allowing you to seamlessly return to the Apple Store and complete your discounted purchase. For those needing manual review, UNiDAYS typically provides a final decision in under 24 hours.
Homeschooling families are also fully supported under this new verification system, ensuring they do not miss out on savings. Apple and UNiDAYS have created a dedicated flow specifically designed for homeschool verification. Parents or educators simply need to provide a standard identity document, like a driver’s license, alongside an official homeschool document, such as a Letter of Intent.
The most exciting news accompanying this policy change is the addition of the Apple Watch to the Education Store. Verified students and educators can now take up to 10 percent off the newly released Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch SE, and the premium Apple Watch Ultra 3.
This is not the first time Apple has tried to implement stricter checks in the United States. Back in 2022, Apple briefly introduced UNiDAYS verification but quickly removed it after customers complained about technical bugs and enrollment hurdles. Now, it seems the company has smoothed out the process and is confident in rolling it out permanently. The discounts remain open to K-12 staff, higher education faculty, current or accepted college students, and parents buying on behalf of their college-bound children.
Are you planning to pick up a new Apple Watch Series 11 or a Mac with your student discount this year? Let us know in the comments below! Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
