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Back-to-school season can get expensive fast. Between school supplies, new clothes, backpacks, laptops, dorm essentials and everything else on the list, the costs can really add up.

Fortunately, military families have access to some great back-to-school military discounts and benefits in 2026 that can help make the start of the school year a little more affordable.

From military discounts at Office Depot, Michaels and major computer brands to tax-free Exchange shopping, free tutoring and even free school supplies, here are several military deals and benefits worth checking before you finish your back-to-school shopping.

1. Office Depot & OfficeMax Military Discount

This is one of the best military discounts to know about for back-to-school supplies in 2026.

Eligible military members, veterans and military families who participate in the Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards program can receive:

• 20% off one qualifying regular- or sale-price purchase
• 25% back in Bonus Rewards on qualifying purchases
• Savings on school supplies, office supplies, furniture, décor and more

Rewards members normally earn 2% back on qualifying purchases, but eligible military members participating in the military program can earn 25% back in Bonus Rewards on qualifying purchases during the promotional period.

The Bonus Rewards benefit is limited to $100 in Bonus Rewards per member per week, and exclusions apply.

For families stocking up on notebooks, pens, folders, printer supplies, desks or dorm essentials, this is definitely one to check before paying full price.

MilitaryBridge Tip: Check the current sale price first. Because the military offer can apply to qualifying regular- or sale-price purchases, there may be opportunities for even bigger savings.

2. Michaels Military Discount – 15% Off

School projects seem to have a way of popping up all year long, which makes the Michaels military discount a great one for families to know about.

Eligible military members can receive 15% off their entire purchase, including eligible sale items.

The military discount is available to eligible:

• Active-duty military
• Veterans
• National Guard
• Reserve
• Eligible registered dependents

The discount can be used online and in Michaels stores after verifying eligibility and linking your military status to a Michaels Rewards account.

Beyond arts and crafts, Michaels carries plenty of items that can come in handy throughout the school year, including project supplies, classroom décor, organization products and more.

3. ShopMyExchange – Tax-Free Back-to-School Shopping

Don’t forget about one of the biggest everyday shopping benefits available to the military community: tax-free shopping through the Exchange.

Eligible shoppers can find thousands of back-to-school essentials through ShopMyExchange, including:

• School supplies
• Backpacks
• Laptops and tablets
• Clothing
• Shoes
• Dorm essentials
• Electronics
• Seasonal back-to-school deals

Because Exchange purchases are generally tax-free, that benefit can provide additional savings beyond advertised sale prices.

Before making a major back-to-school purchase—especially electronics—it’s worth comparing the Exchange price with other military discounts and retailer sales to see which gives you the best overall deal.

4. Military Discounts on Laptops & Computers

Heading to college or need a new computer for the school year? Several major technology companies offer special military pricing.

Apple Military Discount

Apple offers a dedicated military storefront with special pricing for eligible members of the military community.

Military savings can be up to 10% on eligible Apple products, including select Macs and iPads.

This can be particularly useful for college students who need a new laptop or tablet for classes.

HP Military Discount

HP offers military members access to special savings through its military discount program.

Depending on the product and current promotion, military shoppers may find savings of up to 40%, along with free shipping on eligible purchases.

Because HP regularly runs other sales, compare the available military price with current promotions before ordering.

Dell Military Discount

Dell also offers special military savings on eligible PCs and electronics.

Military members can receive up to an extra 10% off eligible purchases, making this another program worth checking when shopping for a new laptop, desktop or other technology for school.

Microsoft Military Discount

Microsoft offers eligible military members special pricing on select products and services.

Savings can reach up to 10% on eligible products, depending on the item.

If you’re shopping for a new computer, software or accessories, compare the military offer with Microsoft’s current student and seasonal promotions to find the best available price.

5. FREE Tutor.com for Military Families

One of the best back-to-school military benefits isn’t actually a shopping discount at all.

Eligible military-connected students can receive access to Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families at no cost.

The program provides online tutoring with help available in areas including:

• K–12 subjects
• College courses
• Writing
• Test preparation
• Homework help
• Academic support

Tutoring is available 24/7, making this an especially useful resource for military families dealing with deployments, PCS moves, changing schools or simply needing a little extra academic support.

If you have school-age children or a college student in your military family, this is a benefit worth knowing about.

6. Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade

Before buying everything on your child’s school supply list, check to see whether an Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade event is available near you.

Operation Homefront hosts events around the country where eligible military children can receive free backpacks filled with school supplies.

Events are offered at participating locations and registration and availability vary. Many events fill quickly, so families should check availability as early as possible.

Supplies are available to eligible military families while supplies last.

This can be an excellent resource for families preparing multiple children for a new school year.

Don’t Forget to Stack Your Back-to-School Savings

A military discount isn’t always automatically the lowest price, so take a few minutes to compare your options before checking out.

For example, check:

• The retailer’s current back-to-school sale
• Military pricing
• Student pricing
• Exchange tax-free pricing
• Rewards programs
• Cashback or Bonus Rewards
• Manufacturer promotions

Some military discounts can be combined with sale prices or other offers, while others cannot. Always check the terms of each promotion before purchasing.

Find More Back-to-School Military Discounts on MilitaryBridge

These are just a few of the military discounts and benefits available for back-to-school season.

MilitaryBridge helps active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, veterans, military spouses and military families find military discounts, exclusive offers and valuable benefits throughout the year.

Whether you’re shopping for school supplies, laptops, clothing, dorm essentials or everyday necessities, check MilitaryBridge before you buy to see if a military discount is available.

MORE MILITARY DISCOUNTS

Military discounts and promotions can change at any time. Eligibility, exclusions and verification requirements vary by retailer and program. Always review the current terms before purchasing.