Apple's Annual Back to School Promotion Expected to Begin This Week Following New Macs - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple's Annual Back to School Promotion Expected to Begin This Week Following New Macs

Apple's annual Back to School promotion for students will begin this week in the U.S., according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a tweet today, he said the promotion will likely start on Tuesday, after new Macs are announced at WWDC on Monday.

2022 back to school apple feature
Last year's promotion offered a free Apple gift card worth up to $150 with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, while free AirPods were offered in 2021. The free item is in addition to Apple's standard educational discounts, with students already able to receive between 5% and 10% off most Macs, iPads, and Apple displays.

The promotion is typically available to students attending or accepted to a college or university, faculty and staff at higher-education institutions, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, employees of a K-12 institution, and select others.

The offer will likely launch in Canada at the same time as in the U.S., followed by European and Asian countries a few weeks later.

Apple plans to announce a larger 15-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip during its WWDC keynote on Monday, according to Gurman. He also indicated that Apple is testing what appears to be new Mac Studio models with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips.

Popular Stories

apple back to school sans airpods 1

Hold Off on Purchases, Students: Apple's Back to School Sale Is Coming Soon

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:38 am PDT by
Apple has started preparing for its annual Back to School promotion in the U.S. and Canada, according to backend Apple code seen by MacRumors. Apple holds a Back to School sale each June, providing teachers and students with free accessories or gift cards when purchasing a Mac or an iPad. The added bonus is in addition to Apple's educational discount. Back to School sales typically start...
modular ultra training load

watchOS 27 to Offer New Watch Faces, Including 'Modular Ultra' Variant

Monday May 4, 2026 5:58 am PDT by
For watchOS 27, Apple is testing new Apple Watch faces, and one of them is a simpler version of an existing Apple Watch Ultra watch face that could be coming to standard Series models. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is testing multiple new faces for watchOS 27, code-named "Orchid." One of them is said to be a "simplified take" on the...
iOS 26 Wallet Glass Feature

iOS 27 Will Let You Create Custom Wallet Passes

Monday May 4, 2026 11:01 am PDT by
Back in April, we highlighted a new add-your-own card Wallet app option coming in iOS 27, and now Bloomberg has shared additional information. At the time, we said Apple was working on a feature that would let users generate digital passes from scans of things like movie tickets, concert passes, and gym membership cards. The option will be called "Create a Pass," and it will bridge the gap...

Top Rated Comments

sw1tcher Avatar
39 months ago

It's a lot earlier than usual right? Usually July or August.
Past start dates for their back-to-school promo

2022 = June 24
2021 = June 17
2020 = June 15
2019 = July 9
2018 = July 12
2017 = July 12
2016 = June 2
2015 = July 23
2014 = July 1
2013 = July 2
2012 = June 11
2011 = June 16
2010 = May 25
2009 = May 27
2008 = June 3
2007 = June 5
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
39 months ago

I still think this is a scam ha. I did it last year and all it did was give me a month installment for the gift card. Maybe I’m a big dummy though.
The way it works is that you pay for the gift card (at its usual price) and the Mac (at a discounted price), which is why you got the installment for the gift card. When you add it up you are essentially getting the gift card free. This is probably to make it easier to do returns when someone decide they don't like the Mac but already spent the gift card.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Serge88 Avatar
39 months ago
That's great promotion ! I'm not a student but with a pair of ripped jeans and a hoodie, the genius will give me the student rebate.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
39 months ago
Last week: Happy Graduation!!!
This week: Back to School sale!

🤣
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
39 months ago

That's great promotion ! I'm not a student but with a pair of ripped jeans and a hoodie, the genius will give me the student rebate.
I was planning to dye my hair blue, wear an oversized xxxl white t-shirt with baggy pants with a skate board and just say ‘dude!’ to get it. Too much?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
39 months ago

I still think this is a scam ha. I did it last year and all it did was give me a month installment for the gift card. Maybe I’m a big dummy though.
I liked it when they gave AirPods. You could upgrade to the Pro’s for $90.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors