Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3

Apple's annual "Back to School" promotion for students ends soon, so act fast if you want to score free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad.

AirPods Pro 3 Newsroom
Until Tuesday, September 30, college students and qualifying educational staff in the U.S. can receive free AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation when they purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad from Apple. This is a $179 value.

AirPods Pro 3 launched last week, and they are now included in the "Back to School" promotion, instead of the AirPods Pro 2. Students who purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad can get the AirPods Pro 3 for just $70, after a $179 discount is applied.

If you do not want any AirPods, the promotion also offers various other accessories for free or at a discount, such as the Apple Pencil Pro or Magic Keyboard.

For more details about the offer and eligibility, read Apple's full terms and conditions.

The free AirPods or other accessory are included in addition to Apple's standard year-round 10% educational discount on select Mac and iPad models.

The promotion is also running in Canada, Mexico, Singapore, India, and the United Arab Emirates until September 30, and in select European countries such as the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands until October 21.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

airpods pro 2 hearing aids

AirPods Pro Hearing Aid Feature Launching in These Canadian Provinces

Monday October 26, 2026 9:25 am PDT by
iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2 enable Apple's clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in five Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan. The feature is still not available in any other provinces, but Ontario is reportedly set to hold a meeting to change a law that will pave the way for it to launch there,...
duo aquarium

More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try

Friday November 6, 2026 3:27 pm PST by
When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites. Games Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Five New Products Today

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:59 am PST by
Apple is launching five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. The following new products will be available from today: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...

Top Rated Comments

15 months ago
Though it was not a gift card in the US, think in other countries there was a wider range of options to choose from. Last year, with the iPad it was only Pencil. This year, there is an option to choose other accessories.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Astuces iOS Avatar
15 months ago

No, besides this being theft, you have to return all the items (they will all be listed on the invoice/receipt), otherwise you will not get your refund.
If Apple is smart they will just give you back a part of the money of the iPad, charging you the AirPods...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
15 months ago

How so 'buddy'??

Keeping an item you have not paid for is theft, is it not?

You try returning it to Apple in this way - they will remove the cost of the extra item from your refund. You think Apple is going to let you keep it for free??
Keep dreaming.
It isn't possible to "not pay" for the AirPods in the U.S. This is because on the actual transaction and invoice, a $179 discount is applied to the MacBook/iPad, not the AirPods. The AirPods are charged $179 as a line item. So if you don't return the AirPods, it doesn't matter - you've still fully paid for it.

The good news is, this means it's possible to get a $179 discount on the MacBook itself without taking possession of the AirPods. This makes the MacBook Air $720.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ifti Avatar
15 months ago

Stop spreading misinformation, buddy.
How so 'buddy'??

You try returning it to Apple in this way - they will remove the cost of the extra item from your refund. You think Apple is going to let you keep it for free??
Never.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ifti Avatar
15 months ago

Buy an iPad, get the AirPods, return the iPad...

Does it works?
No, besides this being theft, you have to return all the items (they will all be listed on the invoice/receipt), otherwise you will not get your refund.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
10 minutes ago
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
10 hours ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
12 hours ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
1 day ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
1 day ago
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
2 days ago
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
2 days ago
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
2 days ago
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
2 days ago
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
2 days ago
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
2 days ago
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
2 days ago
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
2 days ago
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
3 days ago
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
3 days ago
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
3 days ago
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
3 days ago
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
3 days ago
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
3 days ago
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
3 days ago
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
3 days ago
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
3 days ago
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
3 days ago
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
3 days ago
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
3 days ago
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
3 days ago
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
3 days ago
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
3 days ago
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
3 days ago