Apple now requires UNiDAYS verification for educational discounts in the US and Canada, adds Apple Watch

Starting today, Apple will ask customers in the United States, Canada, and Chile to verify their student or educator status to receive educational discounts. Apple is adopting the UNiDAYS verification system it uses in other countries, with a new process to accommodate homeschooling families.

Apple is also adding the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to its Education Store, meaning students and teachers are now eligible for up to 10% off Apple’s most popular wearable.

Students and teachers in all three countries can use the UNiDAYS app or website to verify their academic status with an educational institution email address, student or staff photo ID, or other valid educational document.

Eligible homeschooling customers can also be verified by UNiDAYS. Verification requires an identification document such as a driver’s license or passport, and a homeschool document, such as a letter of intent or acknowledgment letter. Most customers will be verified instantly, with UNiDAYS providing a decision in less than 24 hours when manual review is required.

Once confirmed through UNiDAYS, students and teachers in the United States, Canada, and Chile will be able to purchase Apple Watch and other Apple devices at Apple’s discounted educational prices. Apple’s Education Store offers special pricing on Macs, iPads, and Studio Display, as well as accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.

Apple previously did not have an established academic status verification system in the United States or Canada, which meant that anyone could technically purchase from the Education Store. Apple’s sales policies state that it regularly audits customer purchases to verify that purchase terms are being met. Apple briefly used UNiDAYS in the United States in 2022 to verify student status, but it was removed days later following complaints about issues with the verification process.

Apple Education Store discounts are available to employees of K-12 institutions, faculty and staff of institutions of higher education, students attending or accepted to institutions of higher education, and parents purchasing on behalf of children attending or accepted to an institution of higher education.

In addition to the United States, Canada and Chile, Apple has added Apple Watch to the Education Store in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, France, Germany, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Apple also yesterday expanded UNiDAYS verification requirements to Australia, Hong Kong and Turkey.