Apple launches 2026 school promo with up to $150 gift card

Apple has launched its 2026 Back to School promotion in the United States and Canada, offering gift cards with the purchase of select MacBooks and iPads, but the deal is notably more limited in scope, duration, and value compared to previous years. The promotion began on July 16 and will run only through August 27, a significantly shorter window than the multi-month sales of the past.

Eligible customers can receive a $150 Apple gift card with the purchase of any MacBook Pro or a $100 gift card with the purchase of a MacBook Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Air. These gift cards are offered in addition to Apple's standard education pricing, which provides discounts of roughly 5% to 10% on these devices. For example, a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 processor starts at $1,899 for education buyers, $100 less than the standard price, and comes with the $150 gift card.

The promotion is restricted to qualified purchasers, including current and newly accepted higher-education students, faculty and staff at those institutions, parents buying for an eligible student, and employees of K-12 institutions. Verification through UNiDAYS is now required in the U.S. and Canada. Notably, the offer excludes...