Is Microsoft 365 Free for Students?
Yes, in two ways. If your school is signed up, Office 365 A1 is free with your school email: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook on the web. If you want the desktop apps, Copilot and 1 TB of storage on your own account, Microsoft sells Microsoft 365 Personal at 50% off to verified college students.
At a Glance
- Who qualifies
- A1: students and educators with an eligible school email. 50% off Personal: full- or part-time students at accredited colleges and universities
- How long it lasts
- A1: while your school email works. Personal: while you re-verify (Microsoft reminds you yearly)
- Renewal
- Personal renews monthly at the student price until you can no longer verify
- Verified by
- Microsoft’s own check (school email, or a document such as a dated student ID or class schedule)
Free or 50% off: which one do you need?
| Office 365 A1 (free) | Microsoft 365 Personal (50% off) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $4.99 a month in the US (50% off) |
| Apps | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook in the browser; Publisher and Access on PC | Desktop apps for PC and Mac, plus mobile apps |
| Copilot AI | Not included | Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook (usage limits apply) |
| Storage | Through your school account | 1 TB OneDrive with Personal Vault |
| Account | Your school account | Your personal Microsoft account |
| When you graduate | Stops with your school account | Goes to full price when you can’t verify |
Start with A1: many colleges already pay for something better, so log in at office.com with your school email first. If your school gives you the desktop apps, you do not need to buy anything.
How to get it
- Try your school accountGo to office.com and sign in with your school email. If your college includes Office, the apps are already there.
- Get A1 if it is not set upOn Microsoft’s education page, choose “Get started for students” and enter your school email. Verification is often instant but can take up to a month.
- Or buy Personal at 50% offOn the college student pricing page, sign in with a personal Microsoft account (not your school account), add a payment method and submit your student email or a document.
- Finish the orderMicrosoft emails you a link to complete the purchase once you are verified.
What happened to “12 months of Microsoft 365 Premium free”?
In early 2026 Microsoft gave students 12 months of Microsoft 365 Premium free. TU Dortmund’s IT service told its students the offer could be booked until 28 February 2026, and that the plan turns into a paid subscription after the free year unless you switch off recurring billing in your Microsoft account. When we checked on 10 October 2026, Microsoft’s US college student page offered only the $4.99 a month Personal plan. If you took the free year, set a reminder before it ends.
Surface and PCs: up to 10% off
Separately, the Microsoft Store gives students, parents of students and faculty up to 10% off select Surface devices and accessories, in the US (online only), Ireland, Germany and Austria. You check eligibility with your personal Microsoft account, not a school account. Xbox, Surface for Business, Microsoft 365, Windows and gift cards are excluded, and the discount usually cannot be combined with other offers. Compare with other brands in our student laptop discounts guide.
Common problems and fixes
Students also ask
Is Microsoft Word free for students?
Yes, in the browser through Office 365 A1 if your school email is eligible, and for anyone through free Microsoft 365 for the web.
Do high school students get Office 365 A1?
Microsoft’s A1 offer is for students and educators with an eligible education email, which includes many schools, not only colleges. The 50% Personal discount is for college students.
Can I use my school account for the 50% offer?
No. Microsoft requires a personal Microsoft account for the discounted Personal plan.
What happens when I graduate?
A1 stops working with your school account. The discounted Personal plan moves to the full price once you can no longer verify.
Is Copilot free for students?
Copilot in the Office apps is part of Microsoft 365 Personal, which students get at half price. It is not part of the free A1 plan.
Country by country
| Country | Status | Student price | Checked | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | Free | Free | October 9, 2026 | Official page |
| United States | Yes | 50% off / month | October 10, 2026 | Official page |
Prices include local taxes where the brand shows them. Your final price may differ.
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