Getting the Apple "Academic Discount"

[DW in UT]

I want to get the "Academic Discount" for some Apple products - a new Mac Mini and Adobe CS3. I used to be a college instructor, but not for the last 2 years, so that option is closed. Anyone know of a cheap, but legitimate online course that Apple will accept as qualifying?

My other option is to wait a few months and sign up for "Night School" at my local high school, where I can probably actually get some good out of their $50 course on Photoshop techniques, as well as getting the Apple discount worth a few hundred bucks. But I'd rather get it now, if there are other viable options.

Thanks!

 

[keeleysam]

If you aren't a student, you aren't a student.

Please don't cheat the system, it's not meant for you.

 

[preslove]

Just use the refurbished store. It's usually cheaper, anyway.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: preslove
Just use the refurbished store. It's usually cheaper, anyway.

I think you can combine the discounts....

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: preslove
Just use the refurbished store. It's usually cheaper, anyway.

I think you can combine the discounts....

The refurb prices in the EDU store are the same as the refurb prices in the regular store. AppleCare is discounted in the EDU store.

 

[Kaido]

Leaving ethics aside for a moment, they do not check your credentials if you purchase from the online store using an academic discount. All you have to do is select your school and purchase, no student ID required. However, to qualify for the CS3 discount (for $350 or whatever when purchased with a new Mac), you are required to send them proof of enrollment. You are also required to bring in proof of enrollment to purchase at an Apple Store, but they don't keep the proof, they only check it.

 

[DW in UT]

Thanks, Kaido. Obviously, I'm giving many the impression that I'm trying to do a scam here, but that is NOT my intent. I could easily buy a slightly used computer on eBay preloaded with the same software if just getting the stuff was my intent.

Apple says clearly on their website that their Academic discount is good for both full-time and part-time students. I'm just wondering what they consider "Part-time". I want to get the discount legitimately, as I said in my opening post.

No, I would not be a traditional student, but when I taught college on and off for much of the last decade about half of my students were non-traditional in terms of age and how many classes they took at one time. And they all would have qualified for the Apple discount as it was a generally recognized college. Since Apple doesn't post a list of "accepted" schools or number of credit hours they require, I'm just seeking clarification on what they accept as qualifying.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Since I am thinking about going to CE classes... I feel entitled


After all, government employees get a discount and I work 5 months to pay my tax bill.


If they don't verify why care?

 

[dmw16]

I am enrolled in 1 masters class for the fall and used the EDU discount. You only need to be a student, traditional or otherwise.

 

[Chadder007]

A Refurb Mac is still cheaper from their site.

 

[DW in UT]

Yes, it is just as cheap to get a refurb if I just wanted the computer. But Apple currently has a great combo deal where one who qualifies for the academic discount can get a entry-level copy of the new Adobe Creative Suite 3 for as little as $230 if purchased with a Mac. More advanced/enhanced versions are also available at higher prices.

So the new Mac Mini at $550 instead of $600, plus the basic CS3 at $230 instead of $700 give one a combined price of about $800 instead of $1,300. (All numbers are estimates.) Since my current best Mac is a G3 700, I could probably not even run CS3 on it.

And since my specific future job prospects look like they will require lots of desktop printing/publishing, and I need training to get up to speed, this combo deal seems ideal for me, as long as I qualify and can get it legitimately. My future employers will quite possibly provide full versions in coming years, but I need to start somewhere.

 

[dmw16]

Ok, so Im confused. Are you a student somewhere or not? If you are a student at a participating university then you can get the discount. if you aren't you can't. simple as that.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Leaving ethics aside for a moment, they do not check your credentials if you purchase from the online store using an academic discount. All you have to do is select your school and purchase, no student ID required. However, to qualify for the CS3 discount (for $350 or whatever when purchased with a new Mac), you are required to send them proof of enrollment. You are also required to bring in proof of enrollment to purchase at an Apple Store, but they don't keep the proof, they only check it.

A quick look at a student ID is all I got. It was 4 years old and undated, but I still am a student, so it's legit.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
A Refurb Mac is still cheaper from their site.

If you'll notice, most of the refurbs are from the previous generation or wave and don't have the same specs as the similarly priced current gen models. They do have them occasionally, but the pricing is always slightly higher. I think the warranty is only 90 days instead of 1 year, but I'm not certain. Even with as much refurb stuff as I've bought, I'd rather have new than refurb if the price difference is minimal.