Apple has announced the termination of its iOS Developer University Program, effective May 15, according to a notice on the company’s official website and an email sent to program members. The program, which allowed university professors and other qualified instructors to create development teams of up to 200 students, enabled students to create and test applications without paying the usual $99/year Apple Developer Program membership fees.
Reasons for termination
Apple did not disclose the specific reasons for ending the iOS Developer University Program. However, the company stated that accredited educational institutions can still join the Apple Developer Program for free by submitting a fee waiver request, provided they meet certain requirements.
Eligibility for fee waiver
To be eligible for the Apple Developer Program fee waiver, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Be a legal entity with a status as a nonprofit organization, accredited educational institution, or government entity
- Not be an individual, sole proprietor, or single-person business
- Not have signed the Paid Applications Agreement (Schedules 2 and 3 of the Developer Program License Agreement) to offer paid apps or in-app purchases through the App Store (or have terminated the Paid Applications Agreement if signed previously)
- Not otherwise sell digital goods or services through any of their apps
Also, if an organization operates an alternative app marketplace on iOS in the European Union (EU), it may only distribute apps from developers who have also received the same fee waiver.
Requesting a fee waiver
Organizations that are joining the Apple Developer Program as a nonprofit organization, accredited educational institution, or government entity can select the option to request a fee waiver when completing their enrollment. If an organization is already enrolled in the Apple Developer Program and meets the eligibility criteria, the Account Holder can submit a fee waiver request at any time before the membership expiration date.
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Apple will review the request and contact the organization if additional documentation is required. If approved for an Apple Developer Program fee waiver, the organization will not need to pay annual membership fees. However, full or partial refunds are not available for previous membership payments or the Core Technology Fee.
Renewal and fee waiver removal
When an Apple Developer Program membership is up for annual renewal, the Account Holder will need to confirm that the organization remains eligible for a fee waiver. If the fee waiver request was previously approved but the organization no longer meets the requirements, the fee waiver status will be removed. if this happens, the organization will be responsible for the annual membership fee of $99 (or in local currency where available) and any applicable Core Technology Fee.
Impact on students
The termination of the iOS Developer University Program means that students who were previously able to create and test applications without paying membership fees will now need to rely on their educational institutions to obtain a fee waiver or pay the $99/year membership fee themselves if they wish to continue developing apps for Apple platforms.
Conclusion
Apple’s decision to end the iOS Developer University Program may have significant implications for students interested in app development. While accredited educational institutions can still obtain a fee waiver for the Apple Developer Program, the process may be more complex and time-consuming than the previous university program. As a result, some students may face barriers to entry into the world of iOS app development, potentially limiting their opportunities for learning and growth in this field. What do you think about Apple’s decision to discontinue the iOS Developer University program? Is this a good move by the American multinational company? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below
