The Apple Store for Education may be a useful way of saving money for students considering buying laptops and computers to take to college or university. Those in higher education may be able to access discounts on Macs, MacBooks and other Apple products. How do Apple student discounts work, how much can be saved and who can use these offers?
How Does the Apple Student Discount Scheme Work?
In the U.S. and the UK, Apple Store for Education sites allow students and those working in higher education to buy the manufacturer's own hardware, software and some third party products at discounted rates. Purchases can be made online or by phone. Students may need to use their university or college to access the online stores in some cases; other areas have open access.
How Much Can be Saved With Apple Student Discounts?
The discounts on offer may vary depending on the type of purchase that is being made and the special offers that are available at any given time. At the moment, for example, U.S. students could save between $50-200 on MacBooks and up to $100 on an iMac. In the UK, the current offer stands at a saving of between £119-270 on MacBooks and up to £195 on an iMac.
The Apple Store for Education may also periodically offer bundle deals that could potentially save even more. The U.S. store is, for example, currently offering a free rebate deal on an 8GB iPod Touch for those that buy a Mac. The UK offer gives a rebate of up to £130 for the same purchase. This offer, in both countries, lasts until 7th September 2010.
Who Qualifies to Use Apple Student Discounts?
The terms of offers in the Apple Store for Education in the U.S. state that purchasers must be:
- College students that are already enrolled or that have been accepted by a Higher Education institution.
- Staff working at Higher Education institutions.
- Parents of students that qualify for the scheme.
- Teachers, staff, administrators or board members at public and private K-12 institutions.
In the UK, purchasers must be:
- Full/part-time students over 18 years of age that are currently studying at/have been accepted for a place at universities or Further Education colleges.
- Parents of students that qualify for the scheme.
- Teachers, lecturers or executives that work at a qualifying education establishment and that are making purchases for personal, research or educational purposes.
There may also be limits imposed on the number of purchases that can be made in any given year.
Quantity Limits for Apple Student Discounts
In both the U.S. and the UK those that qualify for an Apple educational discount will have limits set on some purchases. It is, for example, only possible to buy one desktop, notebook or Mac mini and two pieces of software or displays in any one academic year. Limits do not apply to Apple TV or iPods.
Apple student discounts may save students some money on their computing purchases. It is worth noting, however, that it is still worth shopping around to make sure that this is the best available deal.
Sources:
Apple Store for Education (US);
Apple Store for Education (UK). Accessed online 9th July 2010.
Those looking at buying a laptop/PC for college may also find the following articles useful:
Dell Student Discounts: Save on College Laptops & Computers
HP Student Discounts: Save Money on Laptops & PCs for College
Free Laptops for Students With Mobile Phone Gift Contract Deals
Finding the Best Student Laptop Offer for College or University
Carol Finch - Carol Finch is the Topic Editor for Retirement Planning, Budgeting, E-Commerce & Technical/Business Writing on Suite101.
Join the Conversation