Apple Education Store Now Requires Verification to Prevent Discount Abuse

Apple has updated its Education Store policy to require proof of student or educator status for discounts in the United States. The verification process began on April 17, 2025, when visitors to the US online store started seeing eligibility prompts. This change extends a system already implemented in the United Kingdom to several other regions. Apple is expanding the requirement to Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Canada, and Chile.

Apple requires proof of student or educator status for Education Store discounts in the US.

The company is collaborating with Unidays, a third-party verification service, to handle the identity checks. Eligible customers can verify their status through email, institutional documents, or government ID. Homeschooled individuals can use a Letter of Intent or Acknowledgment to qualify. The policy applies to both online purchases and in-store transactions across the affected regions.

Purchase limits remain in place for eligible buyers. Each customer can purchase one desktop computer, Mac mini, and MacBook per year. The limit for iPads and accessories stays at two devices per year. Apple has added the Apple Watch to the Education Store with a 10 percent discount. Eligible models include the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The verification requirement marks a shift in how Apple manages its education discounts in the US market. Previously, the process was less formalized compared to the strict checks now enforced via Unidays. The expansion to multiple international markets suggests a coordinated effort to standardize eligibility checks globally. Apple has not confirmed the launch window for any additional regions beyond the current list.