Apple now requires verification for Education Store, adds Apple Watch with discounts

Apple has implemented mandatory identity verification for Education Store purchases across the US and multiple other countries (previously on an honor system), partnered with UNiDAYS for streamlined credential validation, and expanded the program to include Apple Watch products for the first time. This tightening of controls likely reflects Apple's effort to prevent unauthorized discount abuse following aggressive education pricing (such as the $499 MacBook Neo), which has business implications for IT procurement budgets and vendor negotiations in the education sector. For IT organizations, this means education institutions must now implement verification workflows for Apple purchases while potentially benefiting from expanded product availability and competitive education pricing.