Apple today activated its annual Back to School promotion for 2026 in the United States, following earlier rollouts in Asia. The offer grants a gift card worth up to $150 with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad. To claim the card, students must buy through the Apple Education Store, where products are already discounted.
MacBook Pro and MacBook Air included in the offer
The most generous gift card, at $150, is reserved for those buying a new MacBook Pro. Purchasing a MacBook Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Air yields a $100 card. Other models may also be included but with smaller amounts. The promotion adds on top of the standard education pricing, which already offers significant savings.
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iPad Pro and iPad Air: how to get the card
Choosing an iPad Pro or iPad Air gives you a $100 gift card, redeemable at the Apple Store for accessories, software, or other products. To take advantage, simply verify your student or faculty status via UNiDAYS or directly on Apple's website. The offer also applies to AppleCare+ and selected accessories.
A new twist this year is the ability to stack the gift card with the standard education discount. For example, a 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 starts at $1,999 retail, but with education pricing it drops to $1,849, and with the $150 card you effectively save $300. A similar bundling tactic was used by OpenAI with the Codex Micro keyboard to attract developers.
Comparison with previous offers and tips for students
Compared to 2025, the maximum gift card amount stays at $150, but eligible models have changed: this year the Mac mini is excluded, as are entry-level iPads. For college students, the MacBook Air M5 offers great performance at a lower price plus a $100 bonus. For those needing power, the MacBook Pro with the maximum bonus is ideal.
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To learn how to integrate digital tools into studying, read our article on Reduce No-Shows with WhatsApp Reminders, a strategy also useful for organizing tutoring sessions.
According to estimates, the 2026 Back to School offer could boost Mac and iPad sales by 15-20% this quarter. For more on Apple's pricing policies, see the Wikipedia page on the Apple Store.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/16/apple-2026-back-to-school-offer-goes-live-us
