Apple is said to be launching its Back to School promotion this week with a big surprised to those who came accustomed to this yearly promotion. Instead of giving away free iPods to students who purchase a qualifying Mac under the educational discount program, this year Apple will swap out the free iPod for a free $100 iTunes gift card. Typically Apple has initiated the Back to School promotion and offered a free iPod with a Mac purchase for students in a strategic move to clear out inventory of iPods and make room for new models which Apple later on announces. If Apple does indeed switch to offering $100 iTunes gift cards to its student in this years Back to School promotion, it will certainly be a letdown for those who planned on scoring a free 8GB iPod Touch 4G which retails for $229. Well, at least you can download $100 worth of music, movies and TV shows on your brand new Mac.