How To Get Free Back-To-School Supplies Through Ibottas Free For All Program

Ibotta, the popular cashback app and rewards platform, has launched a "Back to School Free for All" program that provides students with free school supplies for the 2021-2022 school year. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families by offering up to $20 worth of essential items through rebates. The program partners with major brands including Five Star, Kleenex, Skippy, and Nature's Own to provide a bundle of backpack and lunchbox staples. Available at retailers such as Walmart, Target, Instacart, H-E-B, and Shipt, this program offers an opportunity for parents to obtain necessary school supplies at no cost through a straightforward rebate process.

Program Overview and Benefits

The "Back to School Free for All" program represents Ibotta's commitment to supporting families during the back-to-school season. Similar to Ibotta's previous Thanksgiving dinner promotion that fed 3.1 million Americans, this program extends the company's mission of providing value to consumers through strategic partnerships with major brands and retailers.

The program offers a selection of school supplies and food items that combine to create a complete back-to-school kit. While the items must be purchased first, Ibotta provides 100% cash back on these items, effectively making them free. This approach allows families to obtain necessary supplies without upfront financial commitment, though it requires purchasing the items before receiving the rebate.

The program is particularly beneficial for families on tight budgets, as it provides essential items that might otherwise be difficult to afford. Additionally, Ibotta has extended its support to educators through a partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, a national nonprofit that provides funding for school supplies to families and schools.

Available Items and Their Values

The Ibotta back-to-school program includes eight specific items, each with a manufacturer's suggested retail price that determines the rebate amount. According to the program details, the following items are available with 100% rebates, while supplies last:

• Five Star three-subject notebook: $4.30 value
• 12-pack Ticonderoga pencils: $2.39 value
• 110-count box Kleenex: $1.89 value
• Loaf of Nature's Own Bread: $2.84 value
• Jar Skippy Peanut Butter: $2.53 value
• Smucker's Fruit Spread Squeeze Bottle: $2.54 value
• Three-pack Paper Mate Erasers: $1.39 value
• Del Monte Fruit Cups: $2.50 value

The total combined value of these items reaches approximately $20.17, providing significant savings for participating families. Ibotta bases the rebate on the manufacturer's suggested retail price, which can vary slightly depending on the retailer and location. While the program is designed to make these items completely free, documentation notes that depending on where you shop, the items might not be 100% free after the rebates and could each cost a few cents.

Each participant is limited to one of each item per user, ensuring fair distribution of the free supplies. The offer value is based on the average manufacturer's suggested retail price, and availability is subject to stock at participating retailers.

Participating Retailers

The Ibotta back-to-school program is available through multiple retail channels, providing flexibility for shoppers to choose their preferred purchasing method. The program spans both in-store and online shopping options, catering to different consumer preferences and needs.

Walmart

Walmart offers the most comprehensive participation in the program, with availability both in-store and online. For in-store shopping, customers can purchase the rebate items at any Walmart location and redeem their rebates through the Ibotta app by either linking their Walmart Pay account to Ibotta or scanning their receipt barcode. For online purchases, customers can shop through Walmart's website and still receive the 100% cash back deposited into their Ibotta account.

Target

Target participates in the program exclusively through its online platform. Customers can purchase the eligible items on Target.com and receive their rebates automatically or by following the standard Ibotta redemption process. Target also offers additional benefits through its Target Circle program, which can be combined with Ibotta offers for additional savings.

Online Grocery Services

Several online grocery services participate in the program, providing convenient delivery options for busy families:

• Instacart
• Shipt
• H-E-B (online only)

These services allow customers to order the eligible items through their respective platforms and have them delivered directly to their doorsteps. For these delivery services, the rebates are typically processed automatically within 72 hours of purchase.

Step-by-Step Redemption Process

Participating in the Ibotta back-to-school program requires following a specific sequence of steps to ensure proper redemption of the rebates. The process is designed to be straightforward but requires attention to detail to ensure successful cash back.

Initial Setup

1. Download the Ibotta app or browser extension: The program requires users to have the Ibotta platform installed on their mobile device or accessible through their web browser. The app and extension are free to download and use.

2. Create or log into an Ibotta account: New users will need to register for an account, while existing users can simply log in with their existing credentials.

3. Add the back-to-school offers to your shopping list: Once logged in, navigate to the "Back to School Free for All" promotion and select the items you wish to purchase. Adding these items to your shopping list within the app ensures they are linked to your account for rebate purposes.

Making Purchases

1. Choose your retailer: Select one of the participating retailers where you plan to make your purchase. The retailer choice may affect the exact price of items and the redemption method.

2. Complete your purchase: Buy the selected items either in-store, online, or through a delivery service. Ensure you purchase the exact items listed in the program, including specific brands, sizes, and quantities.

3. For in-store purchases at Walmart:

   • Link your Walmart Pay account to Ibotta for automatic redemption, or
   • Keep your receipt and scan the barcode in the Ibotta app after purchase

4. For online or delivery purchases:

   • The rebates are typically processed automatically within 72 hours
   • Ensure the email account used for the purchase is linked to your Ibotta account

Receiving Your Rebate

After completing your purchase and following the redemption steps, the cash back will be deposited into your Ibotta account. The funds can then be withdrawn to your bank account, PayPal account, or applied as a gift card to participating retailers. The entire process, from purchase to receiving funds, typically takes between 3-7 days depending on the retailer and redemption method.

Retail-Specific Instructions

While the basic redemption process remains consistent across retailers, each participating retailer has specific requirements or recommendations for maximizing your savings through the Ibotta back-to-school program.

Walmart-Specific Tips

For Walmart shoppers, there are two primary methods to receive your rebates:

1. Link Walmart Pay to Ibotta: This method provides the most seamless experience as it automatically applies the rebate at checkout when using Walmart Pay. To set this up:

   • Open the Ibotta app
   • Go to your account settings
   • Select "Payment Methods"
   • Follow the prompts to link your Walmart Pay account

2. Scan receipts: If you prefer not to link accounts or make purchases without Walmart Pay, you can scan your receipt in the Ibotta app:

   • After purchasing the eligible items at Walmart
   • Open the Ibotta app
   • Navigate to the "Purchases" tab
   • Select "Scan Receipt"
   • Follow the prompts to upload your receipt

Target-Specific Tips

While Target only participates online, there are several strategies to maximize your savings when purchasing through Target.com:

1. Use the Target app: Download the Target app to scan items and check for Target Circle offers in real time. This helps you compare in-store prices with Target.com and identify additional savings opportunities.

2. Price match with Target.com: Target price matches their own website. If you scan something in the Target app and see it's cheaper online, you can show the cashier and request a price match. This stacking of Circle offers with Ibotta rebates can lead to additional savings.

3. Link your accounts: Ensure the email account you use for Target.com is linked to your Ibotta account to avoid missing any cash back opportunities.

4. Same-day pickup or delivery: For convenience, shop online and use Target's free same-day pickup or Drive Up service. This allows you to avoid in-store crowds while still earning cash back through Ibotta.

5. Target Circle 360 membership: Members of this program can get free same-day delivery at Target with no price markups, providing additional convenience for busy parents.

Online Grocery Service Tips

For purchases made through Instacart, Shipt, or H-E-B online:

1. Link accounts: Ensure your accounts with these services are linked to your Ibotta account to facilitate automatic redemption.

2. Allow processing time: While rebates for online grocery services are typically processed within 72 hours, it may take longer during peak shopping periods.

3. Check order confirmations: After receiving your delivery, verify that all eligible items were included in your order before submitting any receipt information.

Additional Benefits and Partnerships

Beyond the direct savings on school supplies, the Ibotta back-to-school program offers additional benefits through strategic partnerships and program features.

Support for Teachers

Ibotta has extended its commitment to education through a partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, a national nonprofit that provides funding for school supplies to families and schools. This partnership demonstrates Ibotta's broader mission to support educational initiatives beyond individual consumer savings.

While the specific details of how teachers can benefit from this partnership are not fully detailed in the source materials, it indicates that Ibotta is contributing to educational support in addition to providing direct savings to families. This dual approach addresses both immediate financial concerns for families and broader educational needs within communities.

Combining with Other Rewards Programs

The Ibotta program can be combined with other rewards and cash back programs for additional savings:

1. Target Circle: Target's loyalty program offers additional discounts and benefits that can be stacked with Ibotta rebates for maximum savings.

2. Fetch Rewards: This cashback app also offers rebates on Target back-to-school purchases, providing another opportunity to save on the same items.

3. Credit card rewards: Many credit cards offer cash back or points on purchases, which can be combined with Ibotta rebates for even greater value.

When combining multiple offers, it's important to understand the terms and conditions of each program to ensure compatibility and proper application of discounts.

Important Program Limitations and Deadlines

While the Ibotta back-to-school program offers significant savings, participants should be aware of several limitations and deadlines to ensure successful redemption.

One-Time Limitation

The program is limited to one redemption per user for each item. This means each participant can only obtain one of each included item through the program. This limitation ensures fair distribution of the free supplies among all interested participants.

Availability While Supplies Last

Like many promotional offers, the availability of these rebates is contingent on product inventory at participating retailers. Once items are out of stock at a particular retailer, they may no longer be available for redemption through the program. This limitation underscores the importance of acting promptly when planning to participate in the offer.

Program Expiration Date

The back-to-school offer is available until August 31 at the latest. This deadline aligns with the typical timing of back-to-school shopping when most families complete their supply purchases before the school year begins. Participants should plan to complete their purchases and redemption processes before this date to ensure eligibility.

Potential Price Variations

While the program is designed to provide 100% rebates on the manufacturer's suggested retail price, actual prices at retail locations may vary slightly. In some cases, items might cost a few cents more than the rebate value, resulting in a minimal out-of-pocket expense for the participant. This variation is normal and should be factored into expectations about the program.

Conclusion

Ibotta's "Back to School Free for All" program offers a valuable opportunity for families to obtain essential school supplies at no cost through a straightforward rebate process. By partnering with major brands and retailers, the program provides up to $20 worth of necessary items including notebooks, pencils, tissues, and food products.

The redemption process is accessible through both in-store and online shopping channels, with specific instructions for each participating retailer. While the program offers significant savings, participants should be mindful of the one-per-user limit, availability constraints, and the August 31 deadline.

Beyond direct consumer savings, the program demonstrates Ibotta's commitment to education through its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org. This dual focus on individual family needs and broader educational support highlights the program's potential impact on communities.

For families seeking to maximize their back-to-school shopping budget, the Ibotta program represents a practical opportunity to reduce expenses on necessary supplies while supporting educational initiatives. By following the outlined redemption steps and being mindful of program limitations, participants can take full advantage of this valuable offer.

Sources

1. Ibotta giving away free school supplies for back to school at Walmart, Target and more
2. Ibotta's cash back offer for free school supplies
3. Free back school supplies at Walmart, Target, Ibotta
4. Target back to school shopping tips