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Apple is rolling out two changes to the Education Store in the United States and other countries. First, Apple now requires verification for all purchases made via the Education Store in the US \u2026 so it\u2019s no longer on the \u201chonor system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Apple has added Apple Watch to the Education Store for the first time \u2026<\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s Education Store now requires verification <\/p>\n
Starting today, Apple requires shoppers in the United States to complete verification when making a purchase via the Education Store. This change also applies to Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Canada, and Chile. In many other markets around the world, such as the UK, Apple already required verification.<\/p>\n
As a refresher, people eligible for Apple\u2019s Education Store include current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers across all grade levels.<\/p>\n
Apple is teaming up with UNiDAYS to handle the verification process. Students and educators will be asked to create a UNiDAYS ID and then verify their academic status by logging in to their school\u2019s academic portal. Alternatively, users can upload a photo of their student or faculty IDs.<\/p>\n
Homeschool teachers, meanwhile, will need to provide an identity document such as a driver\u2019s license, state ID card, or passport. They\u2019ll also need to provide one homeschool document, such as a Letter of Intent (LOI) or Letter of Acknowledgment.<\/p>\n
Most customers will be verified instantly, and those requiring manual verification should hear back within 24 hours.<\/p>\n
The same verification process applies both in-store and online for Apple Education Store shoppers.<\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s Education Store purchase limits are unchanged:<\/p>\n
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Apple Watch availability<\/p>\n
Second, Apple Watch is now available<\/a> with discounts through the Apple Education Store. This includes the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3.<\/p>\n This marks the first time the Apple Watch has been available via Apple\u2019s Education Store. It\u2019s available in the following markets:<\/p>\n You can view pricing and more on Apple\u2019s website in your respective country<\/a>. In the United States, Apple Watch pricing is as follows: <\/p>\n 9to5Mac\u2019s Take<\/p>\n This is the second time Apple has attempted to require verification for the Education Store in the United States. In January 2022<\/a>, Apple rolled out verification, also in partnership with UNiDAYS, but backtracked just two days later<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m personally surprised that Apple allowed unfettered access to the Education Store for this long in the United States. It essentially meant that anyone could visit Apple\u2019s website and get a discount on most products.<\/p>\n Apple hasn\u2019t provided any explanation for why it\u2019s now rolling out verification to the Education Store.<\/p>\n Apple debuted the MacBook Neo in March at an incredible $599 starting price \u2026 or an even more impressive<\/a> $499 price point for education shoppers. Reading between the lines, I\u2019m assuming there\u2019s at least some correlation between that and the new verification requirements.<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s initial attempt to require verification in the U.S. was also marred by issues with UNiDAYS, particularly for homeschool teachers. Apple seems to have ironed out those problems with this second attempt.<\/p>\n What do you think of Apple\u2019s decision to require verification for the Education Store in the United States and other countries? Let us know down in the comments.<\/p>\n Best iPhone 17 accessories<\/strong><\/p>\n Follow Chance<\/strong>:\u00a0Threads<\/a>,\u00a0Bluesky<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and\u00a0Mastodon<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\n
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